Bear "Cub" Recurve bows ..... new to collecting

[jcar315]

I have been watching the Trad Collecting from the wings and am going to dive in here. I have been a trad shooter for a few years and just have gotten my hands on a Bear Cub recurve bow. I really like it and would like to find out more about this specific model. I really like the looks and how it shoots (I shoot longbows mostly) Any help in regards to the different years / different color glass / draw weights / etc  Just looking for as much info as possible on this model. The one I have is  LH 45# with almost a "sea green" glass on the belly. Thanks for your help. John

[ckruse]

You'll need to be more descriptive, numbers, riser wood color, leather grip or not. Also, with the Cubs there were several years that a few different colors of glass got used. Most are really nice shooting bows. CKruse

[jcar315]

Ckruse, Thanks! I am looking for just general info on the Cubs in general (not specifically about the bow I have)  I think I would like to begin collecting this specific model and just wanted some general info. Mine has no leather grip and darker green on the front of the limbs and the really light sea green on the belly. I searched but could not find too much about this specific model from Bear. It does shoot like a dream!! Sorry for my lack of clarity.

[portugeejn]

Hi John,
I started out with Cubs, as they were what I could afford.  All the ones I have are nice shooting bows.  It is interesting to follow the shapes from early to later bows.  From the top down:

1957 Kodiak 54#
196? Cub 30#
1959 Alaskan 44#
1955 Cub (2 of them actually, 60# & 54#)
1956 Cub 42#
1954 Polar 51#
1953? Cub #35

     

The second one down from the top has glass similar to yours.

There is a lot of knowledge here, much more than I'll ever have.  The best way to find out stuff is to post pictures and ask questions.

Have fun collecting.  It is habit forming.  Enjoy shooting what you have.  Learn to make  your own strings.

RonP

[jcar315]

Ron, Thanks for the pics and info. I like the comparison side by side like that. As a longbow guy I like the shape of the Cub. I am sensing that it can indeed be habit forming. John

[Jeremy]

Ron, your semi-recurve cubs are '55.  That was the year Bear switched from the longbow to the semi-recurve for the Cub and Polar.

[Jeremy]

Oh, almost forgot:

Welcome to "second string" bow collecting!  I'm partial to the early Polars myself  

[jcar315]

Jeremy, Is there "one" good source for Bear info? Any books or websites that can answer questions? Thanks John

[Jeremy]

fredbear-online is a good starting point, but the best source are the catalogs.  You can buy reprints on fleabay for a few dollars (or go crazy trying to find the originals).

[kenscollick]

For the absolute best source for all Bear bows and accessories this CD is the best, put together by Lonnie Collins this cd contains every page of every catalog from 1948 to 1978


 http://www.wingsisp.com/red/hot/bear.htm

[jcar315]

The fred bear online site is very nice. Also checked out the CD site. Lots of info that I would not have found. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

[jcar315]

Has anyone else been to both the fredbear-online site and looked at the Bear catalog CD? Is there more info in the CD catalogs than on the online site? I did find the site very helpful. Thanks John

[ckruse]

Yes, the Catalogs are the best reference. That, and hang around here- you'll learn a bit! CKruse

[D.Sheppard]

A few Cubs, "68" birds-eye maple, "64" zebrawood and a "62" that came in a Bear Bowhunting Outfit
 
 

[jcar315]

All three are very nice. Mine is most like the 68' but mine has the light green belly glass. Just curious if anyone knows all the different colors the belly glass came in? Do yours shoot as nice as mine does? Thanks

[jcar315]

Does the Bear Catalog on CD show all the different colors of glass? Thanks for your help. John