'60 Kodiak Special finally arrived! (lots o' pics)

[CrookedStick]

She has a couple nicks and a bit of wear, but looking pretty good for 49 years old.  Opened the package today, wiped 'er down, strung 'er up and cautiously put about 25 arrows through her, then on to the photo session. What a shooter!

What should I do about the finish? Overall it just looks like the finish is worn out--you can see the checking in the pics--and a bit thin.  The chips look like they are through to the glass.  Should I simply rough up the finish and apply a few coats of Tru-oil?  Should I take the finish down to the glass and wood (which I don't really want to do because it looks to be in really good overall condition) then apply the Tru-oil?  

Should I just leave it alone (I assume it's original) and shoot it?  Inquiring mind with his first over-40 Kodiak bow wants to know...

Thanks for looking!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gray Wolf]

Somebody will be along to answer your questions in a while. But let me tell ya that is sure a nice looking bow.
Mike

[seboomook]

Doesnt look bad at all, nice grain. Good pics too.
Further down in this forum find bowdocs refinishing 101 thread to see whats involved in a refinish. It would bring out the original gray glass and get rid of the scratches and chips.
Or you could loctite 'em and shoot away!

[d. ward]

Great shooting bow right there.Yes if you were going to use the bow much you may think about restorating it.The original finish in 1960 was not to good.If you just rough up the original finish there's a good chance the T-O will not fill all the chip or it may not even stick to well or worse can sometimes flake off during shooting...Yes I would go for the bare glass and wood.Al may have new declas in a few days..bd

[4runr]

Beautiful!!

[Jeremy]

Lovely bow (I can say that about a KS  :D ).
That's the condition mine was in after shooting a few hundred times.  If you're planning on hunting with it, I'd refinish it to protect it from the elements.  If it'll never see the woods (damn shame   ) then just leave it alone.  My $.02

[KYArcher]

Very nice Kodiak, enjoy!
                              ....Scott

[mwmwmb]

good looking bow. whats the weight.

[Bjorn]

The wood especially the sight window is as good as it gets. The chips can be fixed with an artists brush and varnish............If you want to refinish forget the tru oil you'll just make bowdoc's life more difficult.  :p

[TRAP]

Sweeeet  

[Wade Phillips]

The wood has great grain and color. The sight window is exceptional. For shooting and display, I'd leave it as is. If you plan to used it in the elements, get it refinished before you submit it to rain and abuse.

[d. ward]

Jeez I just looked again.That is outstanding wood in your special.Nice looker bd

[CrookedStick]

Hey guys, thanks for the kind words!

I think I am going to just look at it for a while and shoot it a bit...maybe seal up that nick and call it good.  

It would be a lot easier for me to jump into a refinish project if it was a mess!  As it is, I think it's in great original shape-too much so to mess with--afraid I may screw it up.

I really get a kick out of stepping back in time with something like this and shooting/hunting with it (I'm sure you guys all know that feeling).  If I were really gutsy, I'd take it bowfishing in the ChrisCraft kit boat (also original) my dad built in 1952--it even has a 1952 outboard.  What a hoot that would be--at least worth a neat video.

Hmmm, I may have to explore that option...

Thanks again!

[yellow bow]

sweet!