Differences in limb design/shooting the 59-61?

[SlowBowke]

Not all the same of course, but on the Grizzlys, the Kodiaks and K Specials from 59-61 (approx) is there much difference in limb design and the included smoothness, performance etc of these years?

Rather a moot point I suppose. More of a curiousity question than one that would make any difference in buying one, at least for me.

In some photos (no.....Ive not seen a one in person) the 59 Grizzlys seem to be much straighter, less reflex / deflex (?) to them than those only a couple years later. Is this true to the other models or ??

Any kind of pattern or time frame any kind of "superior" change was gained or lost?

Sorry if this is a vague question. Maybe just "which ones do you like shooting best" would be a better question.

Any help at all, photos etc showing examples of design would be very much appreciated.

God Bless

[damascusdave]

I like all three that I have from this era.

Having typing issues so will let the pics tell the story.

 
 
 
 

Pair of 60 Kodiaks and a 61 KS, total investment in 2010, 1066 dollars.

DDave

[damascusdave]

I call the twins simply 38 and 45 and I call the KS Route 66, cause it is 66 inches and I paid 66 bucks for it.

45 will shoot a 9 grain per pound arrow 195 fps for me.

The KS has some of the nicest zebrawood in the riser I have ever seen and I am going to refinish it with snakeskin overlays, belly and face, next hunting season. Because it is its 50 anniversary year it will be my primary hunting bow in 2011.

DDave

[SlowBowke]

Thanks,

Not much difference in the limb designs then, in your opinion? The two of course....not.

Just curious if the limb designs altered much from per models from 59-61.

Realize the risers and wood used is quite radical.

God Bless

[Bjorn]

There is a slight difference between the '59 to '61 Kodiaks. The limb design was optimized a little. Looking at the 60" and 64"bows the differences in limb design are very noticeable. Of course there were no 64" Kodiaks in 1961-at least none listed.

[SlowBowke]

Thank you!

[damascusdave]

Most certainly the limbs for the Kodiaks and the Kodiak Specials were very different in one respect and that is at the tips.

The Kodiaks have rather sharply pointed tips, whereas the KS have squared off tips. The Kodiak are clearly designed for more speed, the KS for less speed and more forgiveness.

You can kind of compare tips in this pic.

 

DDave

[SlowBowke]

Thanks DDave. Exactly the type of info I was looking for.

God Bless

[TRAP]

Get a Kodiak Special in the right length and that theory may be challenged.  

Trap

[damascusdave]

Originally posted by TRAP:
Get a Kodiak Special in the right length and that theory may be challenged.  

Trap

Yeah, I like the five foot six KS's cause of my long draw length and they are still plenty fast enough. My 61 and 63 are due for a refurb which I am going to do myself so I will be needin' a couple of feather rests, if you know where I can get some.    

I took 38 with me to shoot at Spruce Grove for the DART league on Friday evening for two reasons, first was a natural desire to show off, and second was a natural inclination to shoot off a feather rest when trying something new. Well in amongst the Kempf and Caribow and Bear Paw and OL Adcock customs it was actually kind of ordinary. I would have shot better but I was just having a hoot visiting with 26 others who share the passion of the trad bow.

DDave

[damascusdave]

Just a couple of other interesting bits of trivia:

1. One of the Kempf customs was being shot by the man himself.

2. Although the Adcock was not hand delivered it was followed by OL about a week later to come hunting.

Have I ever mentioned that I just love living where I do?

DDave

[damascusdave]

Originally posted by TRAP:
Get a Kodiak Special in the right length and that theory may be challenged.  

Trap

I was looking at another thread on 1961 KS and two things I noticed are:

My bow appears to still have the remains of the original feather rest.

The limb tips are quite a bit slimmer and more pointed on my 61 than on the 63.

Gonna run some arrows across a chronograph as soon as it warms up.

Also while looking at the pics of Wade Philips 1960 Kodiaks I realize once again how lucky I was to find mine. The grips are small, the limbs are narrow and the tips are pointed which both makes for a nicer bow in the hand and higher speed.

That, and of course having original feather rests and leather grips and window pads. Kinda wish I had not messed up the feather rest on 38 by shooting it with incorrectly oriented fletch. I have figured out that with a feather rest cock vane up is the way to go. As a matter of fact I tend to shoot all my bows that way now. Come to think of it I bet a person could bet away with shooting plastic vanes that way off a feather rest.


DDave

[damascusdave]

Well I am now officially on a roll as I picked up a LH 60 Kodiak today with serial number BH667, making three bows now that I have with that prefix and all with the narrow limb tips.

DDave

[SlowBowke]

Happy Days, Dave!
Thanks for the info and congrats on finding those fine bow.

God Bless

[damascusdave]

Thank you, and I do feel truly blessed.

I now have a bit of a different slant to my collecting, simple focusing on bows with the BH prefix.

DDave

[Wade Phillips]

Dave - I have a 1959 62" 55# Kodiak Special that is probably the fastest shooting Kodiak or Kodiak Special that I own at that weight.

In my experience, not all Kodiaks and Kodiak Specials from the same year shoot the same.