I purchased a 1957 Kodiak Special recurve from a guy (Ray Hammond) on the Trad Gang, and just got it yesterday. It is the same year and length as the “Little Delta Bow” that was written about in TBM recently. My Kodiak Special is 47#@28” and it is a pleasure to hold and shoot. The arrows are cast with authority and I was surprised how pointable this bow is. These Kodiak Specials are very smooth, could be the 64” but very impressive for a 50 year old bow!
I like these old Bear bows and I was like a kid at Christmas when I opened the box. The bow looked even better than I expected, it is more a shooter than a show piece for a collection but that suits me and my intent all along.
As I strung the bow I could not help notice the difference in the strung profile compared to my more modern recurves. I nocked an arrow and at 8 yards the arrow hit right where I was looking. I was shooting a Delta 3d deer target and the 1st arrow went right in the 12 ring. Now 8 yards is not a long shot but I thought “That felt good”. These old Bears have a little thump when you shoot them. The grip is low, more like a Longbow than my 2005 Black Widow’s “Asbell” recurve grip. The thump is a neat feeling, not unpleasant in any way.
I shot again and again till I had 5 arrows in the target. I could have pulled them out with one hand. I was amazed. Now this bow should not be confused with the popular Kodiak model that the guys took on their 1957- 58 hunts. However, I have heard that many guys back then liked the Kodiak Special for hunting as well. The Little Delta bow is proof of that. Originally, I think Fred Bear intended the Specials to be more for the target shooters, that is probably what I will be doing with this bow but I can see why it would make a good hunting bow.
After pulling my arrows I shot a few more rounds. Each group was nice and tight, if an odd arrow was slightly off, it was operator error. Before going to bed last night I just had to watch Fred Bears Grubstake hunting video. Yep, I am hooked on these old bows and that era. These guys built the foundation we all stand on today. Shoting the same bows they shot just makes me feel a little closer. Like what has been said by the guys that have shot the Little Delta bow, I can really feel the spirit in this bow too. When it shoots it is like a talking history book, the shot and the arrow impact telling it’s story. Not sure what it is but you really feel the mojo in these old bows. You cannot help but wonder about it’s past.
As I sit here today, I cannot wait to get home and play with my new old bow.
I just wanted to share with you guys. If you ever get a chance to try a ’57 Kodiak Special SHOOT it! You will like it.
:D
Take Care,
Bill
Topic: My new 1957 Kodiak Special (Read 790 times)
