1962 Bears?

[bretto]

I was born in 1962 and have recently started to collect some bears from that year. I have picked up a 50# Grizzly and a 43# Kodiak Special. How many different models and lengths were produced 1962? Thanks, bretto

[TRAP]

Not sure, but the 62 Kodiak is an awesome bow.  I think one of Fred's best.  There is a CD of Bear Archery catalogs available I think that would give you all of those details.  Good luck with your collection, the 62s come up for sale quite a bit.  I was born in 61 and its like looking for needles in haystacks.

Daryl

[d. ward]

1962....Grizzly 39.95 new..Kodiak 59.95 new..Kodiak Magnum 64.95 new..Kodiak Special 74.95 new..Polar 49.95 new..Cub 24.95 new..Those are all 1962 prices.Hope that helps..and I would like to add,I have both a 1962 K mag and Kodiak.I shoot them on a regular bases..They are super good shooters.....bowdoc

[Jeremy]

The '62 Grizzly is a very nice shooting bow (probably the last nice shooting Grizz  :D )
The '62 Cub (60") also surprised me.

[Precurve]

Looking at the entire lineup, 1962 was probably the best year ever for Bear bows.

[Blackhawk]

Of the classic Bear bows that I have shot, the 62 is tops.  Now I have not shot a 60 or 61, so my opinion could change.

They only made it in 60" in 1962 and with beautiful brazillian rosewood.

When I found a 50# model a few years ago, I let the good bowdoc bring it back to life.  My friend liked it so well that he jumped with both feet on a 55# model he found.  Here's what it looked like after the bowdoc refinished it:

   
 
   

My friend just returned from Texas with two javelina he took with this bow.

[alaskabowhunter]

I got my 1962 Kodiak off of a well known archery family on the east coast. The story goes that it is one of 6 brand new '62 Kodiaks that were found in an attic of an archery shop. As far as I can tell, mine has never been shot. I should pick up a shooter one of these days just to try one out.

[Horney Toad]

Don't forget the 1962 polar, a zebrawood beauty.

[4runr]

I like my '62 K-Mag.

[bretto]

Thanks everyone, Looks like I have several more to hunt down. bretto

[Bjorn]

A lot of people say the '64 Kodiak is the best shooter Bear ever made. To me those are people who never had the opportunity to shoot a '62.
A '62 Kodiak in 50 or 55# is one of the best hunting bows around...........problem is Bear made a number of good ones, and not just Kodiaks.
A '59 Grizzly and a '59 Polar can shame a lot of modern bows when it comes to smoothness and silence.

[d. ward]

I want-a jump in again too,BJ you are so right.I have both 1962 and 1964 Kodiaks I've harvested or killed whichever word you prefer elk,deer and black bears with them.I don't know which one I like best.They both did there jobs for me and did them well.I also got a 1959 Kodiak 64" 52#'s and a 1959 Grizzly 62" 55#'s.For about the quitest shooting bows ever built.You will never find one as quite as eather one of them 59K or 59 G,when well tuned and arrow weight to match.They will do magic tricks for you..There both fantasic shooters.And with out a dout,will hold thier own with any new bow manufactured today....and maybe better...ya gotta love em huh? bowdoc

[Precurve]

I've got a '64 in 65# and a '62 in 62# and while I think it's possible (never chrono'd them) the '64 is faster, the '62 is overall a nicer shooting bow.  Agree with BD about quiet on those late 50's bows; nothing better.

Dave