Questions for Fred Bear Collectors

[buckster]

I have been reading up a bit about these bows and am interested in starting a collection of lefties.  

I think I would like to start with a Kodiak made in my birth year of 1963.  Can anyone advise which years and models would make both good shooting bows and good collectibles? Also, regarding performance, how do they compare to modern recurves/longbows?  Is there a vast difference?

Finally, are there any books or guides that reflect average wholesale and retail values?  Thanks in advance for your thoughts. I am convinced that the is no better place to learn and obtain solid information than TRADGANG!

[jcar315]

Great series of questions. I will do my best to offer some help.

1. To answer your last question 1st...no books that I am aware of. The "value" of these bows is variable to the nth degree. All depends on who wants the bow, why they want it, and how much $ they have. I can say that the values seem to go up and down in swings. One model will be hot for a while then cool down.

2. The site fredbear-online.com is a great resource for some info.

3. There is a CD-Rom available with all the Bear catalogs that would be relevant to your search. This is a must have IMO for someone looking to collect. Treasure trove of info in those old catalogs. Years each model was offered, lengths, etc.

4. Hard to go wrong with the Kodiaks, Super Kodiaks, and the TD models.

5. Vast difference? Depends on what you would consider vast. I have a 1955 Kodiak that shoots absolutely fantastic! I have not had the opportunity to shoot either a 1959 Kodiak or a TD but both are superb shooters also.

Fred really knew how to make a bow and the quality is unsurpassed IMO. Careful though as collecting old Bear bows can be quite addicting!

[Bjorn]

Didn't there used to be a collector's section on this site?
The 1963 Kodiak is a great shooter. Fred took his Tiger with a 70# 1963 Kodiak with a 70 yard shot in the kill zone of the animal. No second shot was required-we should all practice till we can do that! LOL!
I agree with the CD rom as a necessity.
Most Bears were great bows but the Kodiaks seem to hold their value best over time.
Whether or not a 59 Kodiak is as fast as today's fast bows is not the point. The old Kodiak will usually be quieter and smoother.

[Gary Logsdon]

I took this buck a few weeks ago with my "birth year bow", a 1955 68# Bear Kodiak Special w/vintage quiver. I used a new 250 grain VPA Terminator glued to a old Bear cedar arrow.  I ALMOST used a 1964 Razorhead that Fred gave me but decided not to risk it.  Hit F5 to refresh your page if the photo doesn't download.

 

[Migra Bill]

Perfect question for the ol' collecting forum...

[buckster]

Thanks for the quick response.

Gary thanks for sharing, that's a a special hunt and memory.

[Rick P]

The History and collecting forum was a great resource! I miss it a great deal and think it's high time the general membership stopped being punished for the actions of a few.

Buckster
  I have built my collection on my wife and I's birth year. All the early 60's bears were good shooters so you could easily build your collection around 1963 hunting bows, it would only take a few decades to complete.
  They would also all be "modern bows" I think you actually mean contemporary bows, meaning those produced today. As production bows go the vintage bows are better shooters! The reasons are simple better materials used by folks who gave a rip about quality and workmanship. The pre mid 60's bows had wood of a quality simply not available today. We have used up most and in some cases all the truly high quality exotic hardwoods once available. Forestry managers have moved more and more to faster growing strains of trees and very few old growth is left. Even rock maple of the quality used at the grayling Michigan plant is nearly impossible to get.
   Production bows are now largely produced over seas by folks working a factory job not craftsmen who did the work as much for love of the bow as the income. Places like Bear and Person where staffed by dedicated archers who produced high quality bows closer in design and execution to today's custom bows. I am always amazed at the thought and detail work put into the vintage bows of Bear archery.

[Grey Taylor]

Terry has stated in the PowWow section that the history and collecting forum will return with some modifications. He has also stated that this will not happen until after hunting season has passed. Be patient.

[shakeyslim]

i think i'll start my collection with a new bear superkodiak/ 50#-------- been thinking i might get one so what the hey ! nows the time!
 my one question do they normally weigh as advertised? i know my martins are usually 2-3# over /ie 45=47 50=53 ect. i could get the guys at 3rivers to ck before sending wouldn't really make that much difference just good to know before it hits the door.

[recurve_shooter]

I have been thinking of trying to get an "older" bow, as my earliest memories of bowhunting involve my uncle shooting and hunting with a recurve in the mid 70s.  I don't know what bow he was using, and he passed away several years ago, but I vividly remember being in awe of those old green Razorheads he used!

It sounds like the late 50s and early 60s Bears were great bows.  What do ya'll think of the late 60s?  My birth year is 1967 and I have been thinking of trying to find a bow made in that year.  What were the good ones from that period?

Thanks for the help!

[LoneWolf73]

good archery collecting website: enjoy

 http://www.neoreality.com/archery/collect.htm

[Dave Bulla]

FYI, the Trad History/Collecting forum IS back open.

[buckster]

Thanks KIMBA, you stone cold killer you!  

Thanks Dave, yea they have re-classified my thread and transistioned it here.  Very good news indeed for us Fred Bear wannabies!

[Rick P]

Originally posted by recurve_shooter:
I have been thinking of trying to get an "older" bow, as my earliest memories of bowhunting involve my uncle shooting and hunting with a recurve in the mid 70s.  I don't know what bow he was using, and he passed away several years ago, but I vividly remember being in awe of those old green Razorheads he used!

It sounds like the late 50s and early 60s Bears were great bows.  What do ya'll think of the late 60s?  My birth year is 1967 and I have been thinking of trying to find a bow made in that year.  What were the good ones from that period?

Thanks for the help!

My birth year is also 1967 Turns out 67 was a big year in Bear archery. The supper K, supper mag and Kodiak hunter were introduced. New materials strated to show up in risers. Lost of very nice bows to collect from 1967. Best of all many are affordable.

[reddogge]

If you could snag yourself a '67 1/2 Super Kodiak (the Black Beauty) you will own one of the prettiest bows ever made and a great shooter.  You will be a happy clam.