New Bears

[Michbow]

So I’ll start off by saying it’s been awhile since I bought a new Bear. I usually go after Bears in the grayling years. I’m thinking about a new Kodiak TD. I know there are always lemons in the bunch, but how is the Bear traditional side currently? Are their products quality and durable or are they living off their former glory in history? Would like some input before I take the plunge.

[David Mitchell]

The only recurves I own these days are Bears built in Gainesville and I am extremely pleased with the quality and performance of the bows.  I just recently bought a new 59 Kodiak reintroduction from Bear and it is absolutely beautiful and the workmanship is second to none.  The performance equals any custom I have had and is better than several. I also own a TD and a K4 static tip recurve.  They were all new bow purchases.  I've been around this game for over 50 years and have owned somewhere near 85 or more bows.  I've lost count, and most of the ones I have owned over the last 30 years have been customs built by some of the very fine bowyers we have available to us.  My Bears do not take a back seat to any of them. Neil Byce III is head of traditional bow production at Bear--his dad was a long time designer who worked with Fred and Neil has been with the company for most of his adult life.  He is doing a great job with the traditional line at Bear. 

[Petrichor]

Shot and have owned a few of the new ones. Top notch and if somethings off they take care of you.

[kopfjaeger]

I don't own any Grayling Kodiak Takedowns but I do like all my Gainesville ones. They all shoot nice.

[TIM B]

Hard to beat a Bear.  Workin mans bow...happy w all of mine
Tim B

[PICKNGRIN]

I am very happy with my 2018 Bear takedown.  B handle, bubinga and phenolic, # 3 limbs in 35# and 45#.  Super smooth at 64" and I like the low arrow shelf, gets the arrow just above my bow hand.  Quality bow!

[1kwikstik]

 I bought a '59 Kodiak repro when they first came out. I love that bow, smooth and fast, beautiful to look at. Still going strong 6 or 7 years later.

[gnome]

Gainesville makes high quality stuff!.....I love my vintage Bears, and the graylings are very collectable, but for a shooter, I'll take a new one with a FF string any day.

[Orion]

I'm looking for a newer A wood TD riser.  The one issue I have with them is the haphazard and inconsistent placement of the quiver insert bushings.  I do have several newer sets of TD limbs that are very nice.