Got a 1959 polar - Finished refinishing it !!! Pics

[Tyler C. Moore]

Picked up a 1959 polar today. 64" and 50#@28

It is in nice shape, and I plan to try my first real refinish this winter and spruce it up. It has a copper coin, and a dark wood ibeam.

It seems like an underrated model.

[Bjorn]

1959 Polar is a great bow-50# is a good weight and good looking to boot! Got any pics to show us?

[Amberjack]

Congrats on the pick up. Love my '59 Alaskan.
The tier 2 Bear bows get comparably little attention but are great bows in their own right.  

AJ

[Tyler C. Moore]

 


   


And I assume this would be the last year where the polar was really a longbow... Because at the proper brace, the string does not touch the limb.

   

[Blackhawk]

These are nice! It looks like the modern hybrid longbow folks are paying big bucks to shoot.

I agree on the Alaskan "Halloween" bow too.  I have a nice one, but it's only 27# and I would love to get my hands on a 50# version.

[59Alaskan]

Great bow! Congratulations

[highlife]

Beautiful bow!

[Tyler C. Moore]

I need to order a better stir for it, but even with a junk string, and no silencers, it is whisper quiet and a real smooth and enjoyable shooter.

[Harry]

I have two 59 polars  and one 60 polar.  all in the high 40s and great shooters.  Quiet and smooth.  I refinished 2 of them using tru oil.  On one I replaced the tip overlays with micarta and now hunt with it. Its 48#. Very under rated bows in my view. I saw a thread where a skinny padded string was used after replacing the tips. Might try it.
Enjoy

[Tyler C. Moore]

Decided to do a light refinish and it's coming along well... Here are the pics so far... Really worked to brighten up and gloss the I beam ....

Had an old grip laying around I cut to fit and will glue down soon.

 

 

Thanks

[Tyler C. Moore]

Ray thank you for the great advice on the grip. I was just abo to post asking for advice. I am happy with the way it had come out so far

[Larry m]

That is coming along real nice!!
I also, like Ray soaked my grip but used Titebond as the glue. I worked the grip in stages around the bow stretching and allowing to adhere and touching up and cleaning the glue off with a damp cloth. I found patience to be the key. Your old grip looks like it is going to work perfectly... Should make a very unique looking 59 Polar!

[Ray Lyon]

Originally posted by zippercurve:
Ray thank you for the great advice on the grip. I was just abo to post asking for advice. I am happy with the way it had come out so far

Hmmm, I thought I posted? Wow, must be getting old or maybe I P.M.d the stuff.  Anyway.  I'm very pleased with how the grip tightened up on my 1957 Kodiak following the dampen the leather first, apply contact cement (like Barge) to the handle and the damp leather, let is dry till tackiness is gone, apply by starting at throat of grip and stretching to the back of the bow as you go.   I think you can see the handle fairly well on this picture of me at camp.
before picture:
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after picture
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I got a $16 skiving tool to taper the leather edges all the way around, not just the overlap. Also, I used a 'sharpened' 11/32 fieldpoint 'shaft opening hole' to carefully cut the hole in the leather after applying for the quiver mounting bushing.

[Hobow]

This thread is making me want to get started on my 59 Polar, nice work.

Ray, does your early leathertop quiver have the slot in the back of the hood for the bleeder blade?

Brad

[Ray Lyon]

Brad,
Yes, this has the slotted 4th broadhead holder on the outside.  I've not used it because who needs more than three arrows, right?    :rolleyes:  

This quiver was unused and included the bushing and the bolt, the only thing missing was the original box. I retrofitted the bushing to the handle of my bow since I was redoing the grip anyway.  I'm pleased with how it all turned out. I've had a lot of fun redoing a couple of these old Bears and they're great shooters.

[Babbling Bob]

What a great looking bow.

[Hobow]

Unused with the bushing and screw, nice find!  I was curious because I have an early leather top as well but mine does not have the vertical slot for the bleeder insert, 2 blade broadheads only.

Thank you Ray.

Brad

[Ray Lyon]

Brad, the bolt on quiver you see in the picture and the tape on model (both leather top's) that my Shrewhaven buddy Kevin gave me at camp this year both have leather tops and the slot on the back with a leather liner on the outside (keeps the broadhead from rubbing against the metal quiver).

I've found a few gems on the big site from time to time.

[chall]

That's coming along great.

[Tyler C. Moore]

Thanks for the encouragement!! I followed several tutorials here on TG, and it's not the best refinish, but it feels good and shoots better.... It's done and shooting straight.