Got my first 1959 Kodiak (pics added pg 2)

[Ray Lyon]

I finally nabbed one of these classic bows.  BB451, 60" 35#.  My oldest daughter will get a chance to use this before she moves up to a Super Shrew Little Favorite.  Of course I'm going to put a few arrows down range too.  I've got to redo one limb tip, but I'm getting to be an old pro at that now.       :rolleyes:    
Even the original handle leather is still in decent shape, a few light cracks on one side, so hopefully just a little leather conditioning to keep it protected. Otherwise I'll redo the grip too.  Limbs are straight and only a single tiny stress crack in one limb, so I'm pretty pleased with the overall condition.

I'm looking forward to experiencing what others have with this classic bow.  My youngest daughter just completed refinishing a 34# 1955 Bear Kodiak and I redid a 1957 Bear Kodiak, including limb tips and they're both dandy shooters. There's just something unique about this 1959 bow however.   Pictures are cell phone, so please excuse the quality.  

 [/url] [/IMG]

  [/url] [/IMG]

  [/url] [/IMG]

[highlife]

Good for you and your daughter ... my daughter loves to shoot mine as well. You will love the feel in your hand and the smooth shooting qualities of this bow.

[Shane Reed]

Congrats!

[shick]

Ray, 'you dun good, pilgrim.  Good for you.  Keep us posted with the progress.

Shick

[Horney Toad]

It's a milestone! lol

 

[zepnut]

Nice nothing like a 59

[yellow bow]

Congrats. You are going to love that bow.    


  :cool:

[Ray Lyon]

Glass overlays on the limb tip is glued up. Will shape to I match the other tip tomorrow along with cutting  string  nock groves. Might have to get it out for a test shoot  before applying final finish.

[59Alaskan]

nice looking bow!  Congratulations

[Herder]

From which wood is the side window of your 59er, one of the best for me, bow ?

Congratulations!

[Ray Lyon]

Herder,
It's a purple heart window. Hard to see in the photo.

[Herder]

Ja, that's what I thought.

ps.
I guess if you give it to your younger daughter, she brings the color to shine:-)

[Wade Phillips]

Ray,

Nothing like an original 1959 Kodiak. My belief is that you can never have too many...

 

[Jack Shanks]

Wade,

Always a pleasure to see part of your collection. Glad to see you posting again.

[Ray Lyon]

Wade, I'm officially a rookie in your shadow.        

[damascusdave]

You have been missed Wade...hope all is well with you

DDave

[Larry m]

Now just get Doc back and this site will get very interesting and informative!!
The 59's truly are classics and no doubt why Bear is reproducing them. Would like to see it come back in a 64".

[damascusdave]

I managed to pick up a nicely refinished 64 inch 60 Kodiak...I hope Bear decides to reintroduce that bow and leave more originals for me to buy

DDave

[jr1959]

My 59's, new and vintage are a pleasure to shoot.  Jim

[Ray Lyon]

Oh my, the refinish is coming along beautifully.  Since I had to replace a limb tip I decided to do a glass clean up and riser wood  scrape and sanding.  The decals and limbs were good with a little
Wet sanding with some 600 grit wet sand paper. I scraped the riser with a curved razor blade and then went over it with 100 grit wood grade paper followed up by 220.  The first coat of poly soaked right in to the riser and the woods are very chocolate colored with a darker purple heart inlay. The limbs and tip tracked smooth on the first stringing, so I was pleased with that.  
Since the limbs were just a clean up I'll probably just do two coated of poly there but I'm guessing I'll need four or five on the riser.  Pics tomorrow after second riser coat.