Bear Polar

[AlanF]

What can you tell me about a Bear Polar from the early 60's?  Are they similar in performance to a Kodiak of the same period?  What is the value of one in excellent condition 66" and 45lbs?  Thank you.

Alan

 

[Kituwa]

Alan,someone will come along that knows a lot more about them than i do, but i have two 59 polars.One of them is as nice looking as any bear they made, has a rodewood sight window that is out of this world.The other one i have is very nice too but the sight window is not as striking.The early polars where long bows.A 59 is a recurve but not curved as much as the same year grizzly or kodiak.I cant really tell much diffrence perfomance wise, they shoot very nice.Sometime in the early 60,s they changed to more of a recurve and look to be more geared as target bows.Judging by yours being 66" long i would guess yours to be one of those.The shapes,curves on those look good but usually not as fancy wood as other bear models.I have always wanted one of those target type polars because i like longer bows anyway.The early kodiak specials were longer bow lengths too but had some of the prettiest wood combinations of any bear models in my opinion.Another good thing about polars is,,they are not as sought after by collectors so you can get very good deals on them.

[Sal]

I had a polar with the big target riser and the sight plate, probably from the mid to late sixties.  What I really wanted was the sleeker looking ones from the early sixties.  I sold the one I had and bought the one I wanted.  

I kept an eye on the auction house and most went for between $130 to $160 depending on condition.

Those early sixties polars are not plain janes, mine has some beautiful tiger wood.

[AlanF]

Thanks guys.  I've found a Polar with Zebrawood and in excellent plus condition but I'm afraid the owner wants $275 for it.

[Sal]

Keep an eye on the auction house, they come up every now and then, at least once a month.

There is usually a gap between what people think their bow is worth and what people will actually pay for it, the auction house settles all that.

[Kituwa]

Contact Copicasso here in trad gang. I have done buisness with him before and he is a sraight up guy and may well be able to find a polar for you if he doesnt already have one for sale.If im not mistaken he had a zebrawood polar.They are a beautifull bow too.

[Kituwa]

I just looked on his website and he does still have the 62 model zebra polar listed.He wants a good bit less than $275 for it and his looks in exc. condition. I would post his web site here but i dont think he is a sponser so prolly not a good idea.He doesnt update his site very often so he may or may not still have that one but he often has other bows that are not on his site too.

[damascusdave]

I sent that guy a message saying that I would be interested in the bow at about half what he is asking. He replied that he has had offers considerably more than half. Lost interest since I do not want it that badly.

Just to put things in perspective I have a 1961 Kodiak Special that I bought 2 or 3 years ago from the big auction site for 66 dollars. As you may know the 61 KS is a zebrawood bow as well and they were the top-of-the-line Bear bow in their day. Mine is less than pristine in appearance; it is one of my favourite shooters.

DDave