My Bear A Handle replacement to history

[Ray Lyon]

Well, since I couldn't find the A handle I wanted from the 1970-72 era and Bear came out with the two tone riser for 2014, I went ahead and got myself a current version of history (thanks Big Jim Archery). On an interesting note, the serial number caught my eye!

Sorry about the overall picture quality, these were from my cell phone.

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[eidsvolling]

A true piece of art, in any era. What limb set(s) will you put on it?

[vintage-bears]

Enjoy!

[smokin joe]

That looks great. I am tempted to add one just like that to the collection. The new two-tone looks great.

[Ray Lyon]

I'm starting out with a set of #1 limbs, 52# @ 28" making a 56" bow. I've got a few choices for turkeys this spring- this bow, a 56" Super Shrew Little Favorite, 56" Super Shrew Classic Hunter and a 60" 1971 Bear Super Kodiak.  Not to mention I've got a 60 inch 1958 Kodiak that's factory camo that would be ready made for the turkey woods.

[Kelly]

Mine is 01-010.  Absolutely a beautiful handle as well as my all Bubinga A handle.

[Ray Lyon]

Kelly,

I liked those all Bubinga handles, but I was always intrigued by the two-tone riser. When I saw the first post of them being reintroduced on another thread a few months ago, I knew it was going to be added to the bow rack.  

Ray

[Owlgrowler]

I got 01-002, how cool is that?

Haven't shot it much, but, I kind of look like a rookie with it because twice I've had the arrow fall off the shelf as I was drawing, haven't had that happen since I was 5!! And the coin fell out already, so I got to "personalize" it by reinstalling it at a slightly different position. Looks and feels great can't wait til fall.

[Ray Lyon]

We've got 18 mph winds and snow falling!!!  Not exactly pleasant bow testing weather!!!  

[stagetek]

I've always bought B handles. Never owned an A. Might just have to change that.

[Ray Lyon]

Michael,
75% of the Bear Take-downs I've shot have been B handled. I did shoot an A handle from 1970 that was signed by Fred Bear (I watched him sign in 1980) and resides in a friends gun safe.  I also shot one of the first reintroduction A handles that came from 3 Rivers a few years back. The sight window is obviously shorter and this grip is a little more towards a medium than a low wrist of the B handles I've shot.  I don't mind the short sight window.  I was looking more for a 56 and a 60 inch bow combination than a 60 and 64 inch combination, thus the A handle.

[cmh]

That's great looking.... Between this thread and the takedown thread above......  

[Ray Lyon]

Well I put a couple dozen arrows through the bow last night and was very impressed.  The bow was dead in  hand on the release as expected.  It really spit the arrows out--I was using some vintage Microflite #9 and some Sherwood tapered Douglas Fir arrows--both coming in at about rent grains per pound.  I didn't take time to do a nock point or put on silencers however the bow was surprisingly quiet without any.  I was using a 'whisper' string from Kustom King. I checked the brace before and after shooting and it was exactly 8 inches each time.  Even with other fast flight string materials I've had some stretching.

[stick33]

That's funny - I've got 01-003!    
   

[Ray Lyon]

Originally posted by stick33:
That's funny - I've got 01-003!        
   

That is funny. So it looks like all the cool people hang out here on Tradgang!    

[PrimitiveSniper66]

still waiting for my first A handle should be at the Footed shaft soon, I have 01-03 & 01-011 in the last years B model, already thinking about the the the B 2 tone so I have both the A & B , nice looking bows.

[damascusdave]

I have 1960 Kodiaks with consecutive serial numbers that were bought new by the previous owner...just by luck I also know who has the next number to another 1960 Kodiak I own...you 3 should record each others information for future reference...who knows what might be collectable in the future

DDave

[NIGEL01]

My new 2tone is a 01-013.

[Elmer Keith]

Do these newly made handels accept the old limbs from the 70s?

[Ray Lyon]

Elmer,

They're supposed to be universal, however I haven't tried an old set yet.  

Ray