1960 Bear Kodiak?

[Adirondackman]

I would like to find a 1960 Kodiak to hunt with next season. That is the year I was born and I thought that it would be neat to hunt with and maybe take a deer with a bow that was the same age as me (50 next deer season). I have heard that the 1960 and 1961 bows are mostly wall hangers now because of a flaw in the fiberglass or the way that it was applied. Is this true?

[Tom]

The Bear bows with the zebrawood and clear glass are prone to having issues but I have a '61 Kodiak that gets regular workouts and will be my indoor bow this winter-at least 80 shots a night for 10 weeks-plus those in between.

[bowhawk archer]

I have a 1960 Kodiak that still shoots sweet!

[Bjorn]

It depends......the 1960 'Kodiak' is an excellent shooting bow. It is the 1960 Kodiak deluxe that has the clear glass and problems. I have several 1960 Kodiaks that get shot regularly, and have been out hunting too, without any problems.
Move this over to the Archery history/Collecting section for the experts to answer.

[Adirondackman]

Thanks Bjorn, I sent you a PM.

[pato]

I have a 1960 Kodiak Deluxe without the issues mentioned above. It has never been in the field and probably has not been used for 45 years. My Dad won it as a door prize around that time and it was passed along to me about 25 years ago and I have never used it. It is still in its original bowsock and I found it in the garage last week while cleaning out stuff and thought I would investigate its worth. That is how I found this forum and this thread. It is in beautiful and excellent shape. I'm still trying to find out its value to collectors but there doesn't seem to be many of them exchanging hands. Anyone interested can PM me for pictures.
PatO

[d. ward]

I don't know guy's I shot the snot out of all of my Deluxe and Special Deluxe and never had any problemo's.Fact is I've work on at very least 50 and have not really even seen one blow.The clear glass showed expansition cracks when some KD & KSD bows were removed from the form and they could not paint the limbs bd

[macclare]

The 1960 Kodiak is one of the best bows out thereto shoot. The glass is good with solid fiberglass tips. The regular 1960 kodiak is outstanding and arguably could be called the king of bows.

[TimberlineX]

The 1959 and 1960 Kodiaks are typically exceptional shooters. Find a sound one and you'll have a treasure.

Here's a pair to draw to - a 1960 50# on the left and a 1959 55# on the right. Today, both shoot like a dream. Great bows.

Bill Krenz
Colorado