Bear Kodiak. Help needed!

[robtattoo]

I've recently aquired a Bear Kodiak & have had no luck identifying the year/exact model. Could anyone help please?  

 

 


Sorry if the pics are a bit big!

[robtattoo]

Also, does anyone have any ideas as to the best way to remove that Godawful scrap attatched to it, without ruining the original finish?

[snag]

It was built in 1968. The first number indicated the year in the 60's it was built. In 1970 they switched to K and then the number. Can't help you with the other

[robtattoo]

Awesome! Thank you very much for the help!

[ckruse]

Thats a 1968 Kodiak Hunter. It was the lower priced line as opposed to the Super Kodiak. The original Bear Kodiak ended in 1966, with the Super Kodiak taking it's place as top of the line. The Kodiak Hunter is a great old bow, and that one will make a nice hunting bow with the 50# draw weight. Enjoy! CKruse

[johnnyrazorhead]

'68 Kodiak hunter is correct.Hard to tell if that sight is screwed on or just glued on but if it's just glued on,I think an adhesive remover something like "goof off" would work fine on the bow.I've used goof off on several of my older Bear bows to remove paint,glue residue,dirt,etc.. and it worked great without harming the original finish.This is on the Bear bows from the mid-late fifties up into the 1970's era bows(I don't collect much after 1970.The varnish used on some of the earlier Bear bows,like the static tip Grizzly's and Kodiaks or the earlier transition or Grumley bows are a different story.Goof off will eat that old varnish so don't use it on them.It should be fine on your '68 Kodiak Hunter.Good luck. John

[Precurve]

Beautiful bow!  I think I read somewhere that Bill Stewart was the origin of this design.  How did the Kodiak Hunter series shoot compared to the Super K and '64-'66 Kodiaks?

[PAPALAPIN]

As was stated above, it is not a KODIAK, but a KODIAK HUNTER.  It is a second year model 1968, although they were cheaper than the SUPER KODIAK, they are still great shooters, and for some very collectible.  THe '67 is the most collectible since it was the first year model.

I wil lbe surprized if that sight is glued on, prbably just screwed on.  Once you remove it you will have two unsightly drill holes.  If you want to make them look better, install some of the brass inserts that are available from 3 Rivers Archery.  You may never put a sight on again, but in my opinion it looks better than two bare holes.

If there is glue, acetone works well and usually will not hurt hte original finish.