Man Law - "New" Old Kodiak

[Dick in Seattle]

Got my first Bear Kodiak today... a 45#  60" Kodiak Hunter.   I'm both disappointed and pleased.   I suspect that at $125 I overpaid for it.  It was described as "9 out of 10" but I'd say is pretty lucky to be a 6.   It has numerous scratches, fortunately not deep, a chip off of the end of the shelf and screw holes both front and back.  However, it's basically ok... The scratches will polish out, the chip hurts nothing... Oh, and by the way, I'm pretty sure Bow Doc will be at the shoot I'm going to next week :^)

I had never shot a Bear recurve before and was pleasantly surprised.  Not a speed demon, but then I'm underdrawing a 45# bow and only producing 38#.  I'd love to see what one of these would feel like if it were actually tillered for my draw.  As it is, I think it's smooth enough that I could handle a 50# one, which would be about 43# for me.  It's very forgiving of spine... shoots alums, carbons and woods of spines from 35 to 50 and seems to put them all into the same vertical plane... differences in height, but that's understandable due to quite a range of weight variance.  As I said, not fast, but smooth and shooting it is kind of like shaking hands with an old friend, or sailing a full keel boat after years of touchy fin keels... just easy and pleasant.

I know nothing about vintage Bear bows, so if anyone can date this one from the serial and/or nature of the coin on it, or offer any commens I'd appreciate it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dick in Seattle]

In case yoiu can't read the serial, it is:
KT 86536

[horatio1226]

I have the same feelings about my 68 Kodiak. Enjoy it!
Brian
 
 

[Blackhawk]

1975

[vermonster13]

Enjoy it Dick.

[TRB]

Love those old Bears. I have three Kodiak Hunters. Now I need a Super Kodiak.

[dad]

Dick, I might consider re-finishing it yourself or having the real bow doc do it. Unless the bow has collector value. Just my thoughts but enjoy it. I shoot the older Grizzleys and K-mags. Dale

[Dick in Seattle]

Well, I wanted a longer and shorter Bear to play with, and got this one.   I have a 52" K Mag coming, same 45# weight.   Should be fun.   I'll talk to Bow Doc at Moses Lake and see what he thinks about whether to have him restore it.  He lives here in Seattle, so I can drop it off with him and pick it up when he's done.   The collector value doesn't interest me as much as the idea  that I just like my bows to look nice and be in good condition.    I like shooting old bows as well as new ones, and I would have preferred to go back to the 1960's, but the price on Bears of that vintage seems to jump way up, so I guess 70's is fine for my purposes.

[JL]

Dick,

I have never the pleasure of shooting a Kodiak Hunter but I noticed they are starting to creep up in value also. Don would be the fella to talk too as he has a vast knowledge on Bear bows and would give you the skinny on weather the bow is worth refinishing (value vs refinishing costs). The 60's Kodiaks would run double (at least) of what you paid for this bow. I'm surprised you didn't get a inspection period when you bought it. That is the only way I'll even consider a internet transaction, regardless of what the item is. You may be out shipping both ways but if the item isn't your cup of tea, you can recoupe your $$$ and look elsewhere. Everybody has their own idea what a 10 ranking is suppose to be and that can vary quite a bit from person to person. Might be a good cadidate for a self refinishing job, as stated earlier, if you have the time.

JL

[Stone Knife]

I just bought my first Bear a few weeks ago Dick, their nice shooters  

[bentpole]

Good Luck with her Dick! Enjoy!

[Ken Sorg]

Dick, I fully agree with you on spine with these bows.........I've shot 350 to 400 grain carbons and a 475 grain aluminum and all fly great. My newly aquired kodi hunter is a 1971 50# model and it seems to shoot much better than the 2008 martin hunter that I shot side by side with. It seems faster and definately drives the arrow in farther than the martin. I'd say if your limbs are straight, you did pretty good for 125.00. Scratches just add to the history of the bow for me  

[d. ward]

Oh yeah Dick you know bowdoc gonna be at Moses Hole...I would never miss that shoot.I will bring a few bows over and just happen to have one the same as your new one,same draw weight even.We can check them both out.I have about 20 1960 model Bear Kodiaks in near mint condition I will have on sale saturday around noon,from 50.00 to around 100.00 each........Just kidding....see ya soon,bowdoc

[Dick in Seattle]

Hey, Bowdoc, I'll see you there for sure.   I wouldn't miss that shoot, either.   You save me one of those nice Bears... 40# or 50#...   :^)