Any thoughts/Feedback on Bear Super Kodiak?

[suttoman]

I'll try and make this short.  Here in Australia, nice bows from the States are very expensive for us to land down here.  Our exchange on the dollar is woeful, plus high customs duty and expensive shipping for a one-piece.  I looked into ordering a Toelke Whip (I had one 15 years ago that I should never have sold). 
By the time I paid the $1,300 or whatever for the bow plus all the bad things mentioned above, it was going to cost me just on $2,500 AUD - I couldn't justify that.  I was browsing my local archery shop's inventory and saw a new Bear Super Kodiak.  It was the right poundage (40#), I love a 62" bow (my draw is 29), and I didn't have a heart attack when I saw the price ($900 AUD).  I know it's much more expensive that what you lads pay in the States, but for me that was doable.  I currently have a Win and Win 21 inch ILF riser with Topoint bamboo/carbon limbs.  It's a lovely shooting bow but being Chinese, just doesn't have the mystique of a bow 'made' by Fred.

I'm very excited and it should come this week some time.  Can anybody please feed my anticipation and tell me that I bought a nice shooting bow.  I've seen a couple of things on YT, but the folks didn't give specifics like arrow speed, if it stacked at 29", is it quiet and does it point well for somebody with a high wrist grip? My arrows are full-length 2040 Goldtip Carbon Express with 125 field points weighing around 360 grains.  Any feedback would be nice.  Thanks - Sutto

[McDave]

$900 Aud = $600 US according to my currency calculator, so you are paying almost exactly the current US price for a new Bear Super Kodiak, without any allowance for shipping or taxes.  Seems like a good deal to me!

I don't have a new Super Kodiak, but I do have vintage models from the ‘50’s, ‘60’s, and ‘70’s, which I don't shoot very much, but they all still shoot just fine.  So you're certainly buying a bow that has stood the test of time (as you already know).

The only complaint I’ve heard about the new models is that the finish leaves something to be desired, at times.  But you’ve got the bow right there in front of you, so there should be no surprises with the finish.

I would very much doubt that your bow will stack at 29”, at least none of my vintage ones do.  Most people seem to like the standard Bear medium grip, which is no doubt the same as I have on all my vintage models.  I note from the Bear description on their website that the new one is cut “to center,” so it may not point exactly the same as your Win and Win, which is no doubt adjustable past center.  I've never heard anything about the speed of the new Super Kodiak, so I assume it is adequate, neither blazingly fast nor doggish.

[ozy clint]

I hear you about the shipping. I can guarantee that it will cost a lot more to have something shipped from USA to Australia than Australia to USA. It's insane and extremely annoying.

Good luck with your Bear bow. A mate has a few take downs and they are good bows.

[artifaker1]

I have a 76" Grayling Super K with the blue tips and riser facing. It shoots great although a little heavy. I think it has the same proportions as the Bear take down with a B riser and #1 limbs for the 60 inch and #3 limbs for the 64 inch. They are great shooting bows. A new fast flight version should be a very decent shooting bow IMO.

[kopfjaeger]

I have two Bear Super Kodiak's, a 55# 1972 factory camo and a 60# 1997 camo dipped mossyoak bottomland (both 60"amo). I like them both and both are good shooters. I don't own a chronograph, so I don't know the arrow speeds on mine. I draw 28 1/2" and there is no stacking. Both shoot quiet and point for me very well. I shoot wood (mostly cedar) and aluminum arrows. The Bear Super Kodiak is a great bow in my opinion and worth the cost. 

[M60gunner]

I have a couple, one vintage one early 90’s. Both are down to earth good shooters. Can’t comment on new ones but the design hasn’t changed since early 1970’s.

[suttoman]

Thanks guys for the feedback - much appreciated.

[Captain*Kirk]

I have a '69 vintage 'Black Beauty' in 40# and I absolutely love it! Admittedly 40# is on the low side for hunting, but most of my shooting time is spent in the backyard prepping for deer season and it's absolutely perfect. I don't think you'll be returning yours.

[Blackstick]

Here is a picture of my only two Super Ks. The top is the original Black Beauty, 1967 ½ weighing in at a 50# draw. It was my first real hunting bow and for the life of me, I don’t know why I ever bought another bow. Except now, I’m nearly 72 years old and am dropping down in draw weight.

The bottom is a newer 2023 model. You can see a grip profile difference between the two. Also the 2023 shelf sits higher off the hand. This one is 40# at 28”, which is my draw length. I don't know if it because of the draw weight difference, but the limbs start out .150" smaller and go to smaller and sleeker tips. It shoots a 30”  Easton Legacy, 600 spine arrow tipped with 125 grain tips from a split fingered glove, consistently 168 to 170 fps. That’s also with the factory string. Sorry, I can’t tell you what the arrow weighs, as my scales went down.

The new one does shoot as good as the old Grayling, it just has a different feel about it.   

[Hud]

I have two older Kodiaks, 55, a 56 and a 69. I remember some others and wish I had kept them. Bear corrected some problems by 1960 (laminated colored paper tip overlays, and longitudinal glass that developed hairline cracks).  I would consider a good 59 - 62, skip 63, consider 64 - 70. Bear brought out the TD in 69 and the metal riser followed. I have owned both, but prefer the Gainesville green stripe, and newer riser with Bubinga, because the newer riser is about 4 lbs, whereas the earlier 69-72 Futurewood risers are 5 lbs and sought by collectors.  The TD has several advantages, limbs can be had for around $200 - $400 US and travel is easier. In addition, there are a number of bowyers  building limbs for the Bear TD.

Shipping has increased here and Europe. A friend recently said, he would only buy a TD, for travel and shipping and not a one piece.

I have sold some shafts to a Mate from down under that he wanted shipped to Texas. I assumed he was going there for deer, hogs and turkey. There is a dealer in Albuquerque, NM. that deals in Bear TD's.  I would check with him and plan a vacation trip, hunting etc. I'll dig up his name if you send me a PM sometime. Good Luck.

[suttoman]

Thanks Blackstick for taking the time to post those.  They look really gorgeous - especially the later model.  That is the one I am getting I think.  I am still hanging out for mine to arrive.  Looks like the courier here in Australia is slower than a wet week.  I could have walked it from the destination in the time that has elapsed since I ordered it over a week ago.  When it arrives I'll post a picture.

Sutto