Are these both '54's?

[Whip]

I have a couple of Bear Kodiak II bows that I picked up.  My birth year was 1954, and thought it would be cool to have a bow as old as me.  (however unreliable that may be!)  

I have one 68" bow, and another 64".  As you can see in the pictures there is quite a difference in the handle shape between the two of them.  Am I correct that the Kodiak II was only made in '54?  Or do I have something from a different year here?  

 

 

 

 

[jcar315]

Whip, Lots of Kodiak II owners here who know ALOT more than I. My understanding is that the Kodiak II was only offered in 1954. Can't speak to the different shaped handles you have. There are cases where compasses have been installed in other bows.

Here is the Bear Catalog pages for 1954 Kodiak.
 
 

Always enjoy any excuse to post catalog pages. Others will be along to help I am certain.

[Jack Shanks]

I would say the 68" bow profile looks more like a Kodiak Special. Perhaps an early one as they came out in 55? All the Kodiak IIs I have are 60" and their handles resemble the 64" bow you have pictured.

 I'm sure that Wade or someone else much more knowledgeable than me will have a better explanation.

[raghorn]

If you notice in the catalog second page at the bottom it states the 56" and 68" will require longer delivery time. The 68" being 55# probably required a longer and stouter riser.

[NancyVTAS]

I am sure raghorn is correct   [for once  lol ]Dick

[Jack Shanks]

Makes sense to me. I told you someone with more knowledge would come along.

[Whip]

That was kind of what I was thinking, but wasn't really sure.  I'm thinking of redoing both of these and seeing how they shoot.  That 68" might be a little long for hunting, but I'm a big guy, and I'll bet it draws pretty smooth.  They both an issue on one of the tips, so I haven't shot them yet.  
Sure would be cool if I could use a bow as old as I am to take an animal.  You young pups that were born in the 60's and 70's have it made!  

[Blackhawk]

Why was the model only made one year?  

Was there a structural issue because of the drilling of the riser for the compass?  

[jcar315]

The compass did impact the bow and Fred didn't like replacing bows for free so one year was it.

I thinkg BD is a Kodiak II shooter. He can give you sound advice.

[doug77]

Whip, just from what I've heard is the the '54 Kodiak II have a habit of breaking in the handle whare the compass is, but I've got one and shoot a few arrows through it about once a month. I figure ya might as well shoot them

doug77

[Whip]

Both these bows show evidence they have flung their share of arrows.  So I'm hoping if they were going to break they would have already done it.  If I go through the trouble of refinishing them I sure do plan to shoot them at least some.  I'd like to take a deer with one.

[doug77]

I figure if mine breaks I still have a sweet compass, 2 limb tip key chains and a knife handle.

doug77

[Whip]

There ya go Doug.  Four cool things made out of one!    

Are there replacement compasses available anywhere?  The one on the 68" is good, but the 64" is broken.  

Also, how do I go about getting them out for a refinishing?

[Bjorn]

There were several versions of the C11. Maple and Walnut beefy and slim. Most of the broken bows I have had and seen were breaks just at the fade on the lower limb. Had 3 fail there personally.
Bowdoc showed how to get the compass out someplace here.

[d. ward]

hoowdy boys I been missing the action for about a week or two.I had to get my pc fixed what a pain in the neck.However at one time I said I would never ever own a computer and now I can not get along without one.Look at all the cool stuff I been missing in only 2 weeks or so. geezus we've come a long way baby.
Nice looking K 2's Joe I've shot the snot out of mine...but I have seen several broken ones including my own has a small break in it right at the fade out.The main problemo was and we beat this dogs butt plenty.Step thru stringing by the original owner in 1954 until ? twisted lots of those K 2's limbs.And with the fairly shot riser long working narrow limbs guess where all the tork was ? right at the fade outs.But I also believe if they are still around and solid and fairly straight I'd personaly go for the gussto and shoot a few arrows out of them at least.Trivia today is the super rare K 2 is the 70" model very rare bd

[Wade Phillips]

Whip -

There are actually 3 different riser shapes for the 1954 68" Kodiak II bows that I have documented. There may be others, who knows?

One is the same your 68" beefy riser, and other 68" is slightly different length and different limb profile. The other totally different 68" has a smaller thinner riser with lines like your slim 64". I actually have two of the smaller thinner riser 68". I'll try to add a photograph of some 68" Kodiak IIs to illustrate this text.

For the KII, there is both maple and walnut risers and lengths of 56", 60", 64" & 68 plus the prototype KII. In total I believe I have 11 different KIIs. As I say, it would not surprise me if there are others.

[Whip]

Thanks Wade, that really clears it up.  Sure is nice having resident experts around here!    
I'm looking forward to getting this pair fixed up into shooting shape.

[d. ward]

Joe you may find out you really like to shoot those.I know I love shooting the 46# 60" model I have.As I mentioned the rare bird you want to find is the 70" K2's with walnut riser wood.I know of two one resides in the collection of the late great Al Reader and I believe the other may be in Wis.somewhere cool bows bd