Author Topic: Newer Bear 59 Kodiak vs 64 Super Kodiak (Read 6694 times)

privateer · « **on:** April 10, 2018, 03:42:46 PM »

I would like some input please -

I have an opportunity to purchase one of the newer Bear bows at a great price.

My choices are a 59 Kodiak or a 64" Super Kodiak. Both are lower poundage (40# +/-) which is what I am looking for.

I love the looks and the grip of the 59K. I like the longer length of the SK.

I have a 29-1/2" draw. I'm concerned that the 59K might not work for 29-1/2".

I may not be able to shoot either one more that a couple of shots each to test them.

For those who have shot or owned both, which one do you recommend?

(Sorry I can't afford both right now.)

Thanks

Ray Lyon · « **Reply #1 on:** April 10, 2018, 10:50:42 PM »

I’d go 64” Super K with your draw. 59 Kodiak is a very nice shooting bow, but a 64” Super K would be better with your 29.5” draw.

Tedd · « **Reply #2 on:** April 10, 2018, 10:57:40 PM »

I have had 3 new make 59 Kodiaks. And a 66 Super Kodiak. And draw 30". The Super K to stacked hard at 29" so did not care for it at all. (edit - I don't recall the length of that SK). The 59 is really a better shooter and didn't stack. The grip on the 59 is wonderful. And they are just cool! Quiet. Quick to point. The new make 59 does seem to have some extreme stress right where the fadeouts end. The one I have now does have hairline cracks in the maple on both the top and bottom limbs. And the fiberglass shows stress right there. You can feel it if you run your fingers along the edges. I'm sure a 28" draw would be better for the 59's limb but it shoots just fine at 30'.
I shoot it better than any recurve I ever had. The limbs are hard to twist so maybe that helps. (Though I shoot longbows better.)
One thing I found interesting about the new 59 is that Bear did not have plans and specs to rely on. They had buy some originals to measure and went through trial and error to get the thicknesses.
Tedd

privateer · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2018, 07:42:22 AM »

Thank you for your input.

I appreciate it. Hopefully I will get a chance to shoot more than a couple of shots out of each one before I decide.

Anointed Archer · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2018, 09:27:24 AM »

I too have have a 30 inch draw and have owned both the bows your enquiring about. To me they are two totally different animals in how they shoot and feel. To me both bows stacked up a little at 30" but neither one was bad enough to not enjoy shooting them. If I had to choose only one it would be the 59 as I just liked how it felt in my hand plus it was just a little better performaning bow.

Historybuff · « **Reply #5 on:** April 11, 2018, 12:07:11 PM »

I haven't shot a super Kodiak. But I do own a 59. It's 35#@28 that I draw to 32". The bow shows no sign of stress anywhere. Seems to be a very nice bow.

privateer · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2018, 12:14:41 PM »

Thanks. I'm leaning towards the 59K and hope to shoot it at the end of the week.

hunterjrg · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2018, 09:31:33 AM »

I have a 59 Kodiak and draw 30”. To me it’s smooth and I really enjoy shooting it. Let us know what you choose

privateer · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2018, 01:32:20 PM »

So I went to test the bows -

The first 3 shots from the 59 Kodiak essentially went in the same spot (admittedly it was only about 10 yards away). I'm still smiling from that first few shots.

The bonus is that I was expecting a 45# (marked) bow, that was actually a 43# bow...and when I got there it was a 35# (marked) bow that was actually a 37# bow. Then after shooting it we decided to measure my draw again with the new bow and it turns out I can draw this one out to a touch over 30" which put it right at 43#.

Needless to say this one came home with me. I ended up shooting until dark last night playing with it.

Thanks for all of the input. You guys were right.

privateer · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2018, 03:09:20 PM »

A follow up question for your 59K owners -

Did you replace the feather rest with anything or leave it?

How quickly does it wear out?

BTW - I shoot Axis 500 full length arrows with 125 gr heads. I added a toothpick behind the riser plate (cover), tweaked it a bit for brace height and it shoots very well. Just not sure about the feather rest.

Sirius Black · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2018, 05:28:33 PM »

Feather rests are great! Don't take it off. I even put one on my '73 - '75 Kodiak Hunter, and it is much more accurate shooting for me than the rug rest.

Anointed Archer · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2018, 06:17:39 PM »

I totally agree with Sirus, the feather is great. I shoot Easton axis from mine and the feather rest rocks.

Steelhead · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2018, 10:33:32 PM »

Thier is nothing wrong with the feather rest.I have had them on many bows.You will get good arrow flight and and thier easy on the arrows fletchings.

privateer · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2018, 08:32:09 AM »

Thanks for the info on the rest Gents.

Any tips on your setup to quiet the bow?

Anointed Archer · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2018, 09:34:55 AM »

Never had any noise issues with my 59, I did use a Dacron 14 stran string with a brace height about 7 1/2" and homemade wool yarn silencers.

privateer · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2018, 11:43:03 AM »

I haven’t done anything to it other than shooting it.
I just know I’ll have to address it before next fall.

Why Dacron Anointed Archer?

Anointed Archer · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2018, 01:33:53 AM »

Dacron strings are known for being a quiet string.

David Mitchell · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2018, 10:55:35 AM »

I own a 59er (60") in the newer version. I also have a 60" SK, and when I compare limb length, the working length of the limbs on the 59 are about 2" longer than the limbs on the 60" SK measuring from the fades. So my point is that the working limbs on the 60" 59 are not 4" shorter than the limbs on a 64" SK if that helps. I believe either would work for you, but I have a decided preference for the 59 due to its trimmer riser and feel in hand and on the shot. I had Big Jim replace the crummy leather wrap on the 59 with brown beaver tail and boy did it dress up the looks and give me a great feel.

Hud · « **Reply #18 on:** April 18, 2018, 02:01:04 PM »

No longer have the 59 Kodiak, but the recurve is longer than any of the later SK's. I would think it could handle a longer draw, but this is not a recommendation. I have seen a few bowyers that list a range for a specific length of 60". That said, most bows are draw length specific and increasing the draw length results in "stacking" which is noticeable and not beneficial to shooting, or the bow. Best thing is to try the bow and see if you feel a noticeable increase the last few inches.

privateer · « **Reply #19 on:** April 18, 2018, 02:43:45 PM »

Quote from: David Mitchell on April 17, 2018, 10:55:35 AM

I own a 59er (60") in the newer version. I also have a 60" SK, and when I compare limb length, the working length of the limbs on the 59 are about 2" longer than the limbs on the 60" SK measuring from the fades. So my point is that the working limbs on the 60" 59 are not 4" shorter than the limbs on a 64" SK if that helps. I believe either would work for you, but I have a decided preference for the 59 due to its trimmer riser and feel in hand and on the shot. I had Big Jim replace the crummy leather wrap on the 59 with brown beaver tail and boy did it dress up the looks and give me a great feel.

Can you post a picture of the grip?

Did you have to send the bow to Big Jim?


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Author Topic: Newer Bear 59 Kodiak vs 64 Super Kodiak (Read 6694 times)

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