1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?

[69RECURVE]

Have you ever noticed when someone pipes up and says that they just got their hands on one of these Kodiaks no one ever says anything derogatory about the bow. I guess that is a testament to how well made these bows really are.
With that said in my opinion I do see a tendency to seeing 1960 62 & 64 as possibly being the best years.
Just would be curious to hear what you all think? The best thing about this is there are no losers.

[reddogge]

I like them all but I have a couple of favorites among those I own. I find all of them shoot similarly so that is not a factor to me. I love the '62 because of it's sleek looks and lines and rosewood riser.  I love my '64 for it's thumping performance and bubinga wood.  I love my '65 due to it was made during a milestone in my life, my wedding year and I like the horns.  I love my '66 for it's mass and stability in shooting.

As far as the others I love them too but don't own them but I'd really like to.

[Jack Shanks]

Wouldn't you know it the only ones in that lineup that I don't have are the 62 and 64. To be fair I guess I can't answer that question until I get them.

[macclare]

They all are super shooters. My favorite is the 1959

[Migra Bill]

59 isn't between 60 - 66.

I own them all except the 60.

My 64 is the smoothest quitest and fastest.

My 63 dogleg is the one that I am the most accurate with.

[Wade Phillips]

If you have seen this on my earlier thread, I apologize for posting it again....

In the past, there has been a lot of discussion about this sometimes very sensitive topic on many threads.

Finally there is a method to determine which bow that you subconsciously consider to be the Greatest Vintage Hunting Bow of All Time…

First, do the simple math below,

Then, scroll down to find your subliminal answer to the question…
               
It's crazy how accurate this really is!
       
1) Pick your favorite number between 1-8

2) Multiply by 3
               
3) Then add 3 to the number
               
4) Then again Multiply by 3 (I'll wait while you get the calculator.....)
               
5) You'll get a 2 digit number.....
               
6) Add the digits together
               
Using that number, find the bow that you subconsciously consider to be the Greatest Vintage Hunting Bow from the list below:
               
1.  Damon Howatt Super Diablo
2.  Ben Pearson Palomino
3.  Drake Hunter Flight
4.  Bear Kodiak Magnum
5.  Bear Super 48
6.  1967 Super Kodiak
7.  1970 Bear Take Down
8.  1959 Bear Kodiak
9.  1960 Bear Kodiak  
10. 1962 Bear Kodiak
11. 1964 Bear Kodiak
12. 1965 Bear Kodiak
13.  Other

I know... it’s hard to believe this is what you subconsciously believe, but it’s true.

P.S.  Stop picking different numbers!!  You know this is true!!!!!

Surprisingly, I got the same answer as you, but did not have to do the math.      

Are you getting ready for the 50th Anniversary celebration of the 1960 Kodiak ???

[Blackhawk]

My 49# Kodiak of 1960 is the best of the lot.

[wasapt]

common Wade, no posts of your favorite 1960 in your collection? We would love to see it! those numbers are amazing by the way...LOL

[Wade Phillips]

wasapt - Sorry about not posting any photographs.

Although I have my personal favorite shooter 1960 Kodiak, I'm not really sure that I could pick out a favorite of the ones in the collection. Several are a favorite for one reason or another.

Well, here are some in the collection, you can pick out your favorite... they range from 40# to 50# to 68# to 75# to 90#.

   

[Bjorn]

'62 has always been a fav.

[TRAP]

Wade, that a funny looking one there on the far left end.    Tell us more about that bow.

Looks a little like a Maggie with autumn orange belly glass.  HMMMMMMM could it be?

Trap

[Wade Phillips]

Trap - Oh yes, the "funny looking one there on the far left" in the 1960 Kodiaks. You have a sharp eye.

It has...
1960 Kodiak autumn orange glass on the belly
1960 Kodiak brown glass on the back
1960 Kodiak black and white tip overlays

Sounds like a 1960 Kodiak so far. However...

It was never drilled for a coin. It is marked EXP, 68#, 52" but is actually a bit longer. Probably should be marked 53".

It has a noticeably different riser shape and a noticeably different limb profile than the 1961 Kodiak Magnum.

Cool little bow regardless of what you want to call it. I've always been a sucker for that autumn orange belly glass.

[4runr]

What a beautiful collection Wade. The third from the right gets my vote for prettiest site window. They all are very nice.

[Wade Phillips]

Kenny - Fifth from the left gets my vote for "best in show" sight window, because it is light colored sap wood, and was signed by Fred Bear...

[pato]

But for just sheer beauty how about this one:

 

 

I can't say how it shoots as I never have but I'm tempted to end the 40+ year break it has been on.  

Pat O

[Wade Phillips]

Pat - The Kodiak DeLuxe shoots great.

[pato]

I just rediscovered this bow in my garage last week. Twenty five years ago my Mom gave it to me and I have never used it and had forgot about it. My Dad won it in a contest in 1960 and it only got light target use those first few years. The more I research it and touch it the more it is appealing to me to shoot it. I have zero experience but I see I'm only 3 miles away from a place called Bob Frommes Performance Archery with lessons available and a range. Who knows... I might get the bug!

[reddogge]

That's shear beauty for sure.

[jackdaw]

That's an awesome collection of Bears'! I personally like the 4th from the left....thanks for sharing!!

[hayslope]

Hard to pick between the '62 and '64, but the '62 is near and dear to my heart since I owned and hunted one exclusively for about 20 years.

Stupidest thing I every did was sell it (well, maybe the second stupidest thing....next to selling a pristine 1959 sunburst Gibson Les Paul in 1982 for $30K).  I could buy a huge house with what that thing is worth today.  Hey...ya gotta live and learn!