Got a new bow today. Well, an old one - '69 Super Kodiak for '66 Kodiak

[tomsm44]

I have a '69 Super Kodiak, 60", 70#@28".  Its not being used right now because I don't like shooting that much weight.  I have an opportunity to trade it for a '66 Kodiak, 60", 55#@28".  I have several other bows from 42# up to 53# that I shoot and hunt with, so I don't really need another, but I figure I'd be more likely to actually shoot and hunt with the 55# one than the 70# one.  I haven't seen the '66 in person, but the pictures look to be similar condition to mine and the guy said he recently bought it from Big Jim. So my question is this:  Do you guys think this would be a good deal to make?  How do the values of the two bows compare?  The guy I'm talking to sounds like he would actually shoot mine rather than just hang it on the wall.  At the least, there'd be two old Bears getting a little more woods time if I make the trade.

[Recurve7]

If condition is as expected, I would trade. 70# is no fun.

[Whip]

If they were equal weights the 69' should be worth a little more.   It's tough to find buyers for heavy bows though, so they don't hold value nearly as well. But that 55# weight is a lot more desirable, so it sounds like a fair trade to me.  I'd much rather have a bow that I could actually shoot.

[Ray Lyon]

Originally posted by Whip:
If they were equal weights the 69' should be worth a little more.   It's tough to find buyers for heavy bows though, so they don't hold value nearly as well. But that 55# weight is a lot more desirable, so it sounds like a fair trade to me.  If much rather have a bow that I could actually shoot.

Yup. That's it.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

What Whip says X 3

[dbd870]

I'd do it in a heartbeat; 70# is a heavy bow and not nearly as popular as a 55#

[Ron LaClair]

I've got a 70# 1967 super Kodiak that I bought new in 67. I shot 2219's with Zwickey Delta's and always had complete pass through's. The bow has hung in my shop unused for years. Take the 55 pounder, you won't regret it.

[david janssen]

I would also go with the 66 Kodiak.They are my favorite year,I love the brown glass with the white overlays.And it's my birth year.The grip on the 66 may be a bit larger than the Super K.

[Sam McMichael]

Assuming its in good condition, it would probably be a good trade. Since you don't like to shoot 70#, the other bow would be more useful.

[Producer]

I have a 1970 S-K and I have been told that 1968 to 1970 are the most desireable. That being said I don't think there is much if any dollar value difference because 70 lb bows have a small market today. Trade for the one you will shoot.

[tomsm44]

Thanks for all the input guys.  I'm thinking I'll go ahead and make the trade.  Now, anybody know what it'll cost to ship a recurve from N Louisiana to central Tx?

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Hard to guess on shipping, a lot will depend on your box. I expect you will pay 30 bucks give or take 10,  depending on means and insurance.

[tomsm44]

That's not too bad.  The guy I'm dealing with offered to ship his first and let me use the same box to send mine to him.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

When you get his box, there will be a  sticker for how much he paid, You will know what to expect in the  return shipping.

[tomsm44]

Well, I made the trade and the '66 showed up today.  It's a beautiful bow indeed.  A few light handling marks but nothing major considering it's almost 60 years old.  I actually think I like the wood riser better than the phenolic one, regardless of which one is worth more.  I definitely like the brown glass better for a hunting bow.  I took it out and shot it a few times and I don't think I'm going to regret making the swap at all.  55# is still a little heavier than the 47# I've been shooting all summer, but it's manageable, and boy is it a sweet shooter.  Another nice surprise, my arrows for my old 53# Red Wing Hunter flew perfectly off of it.  Since I won't have to do a bunch of tuning work or arrow buying, if I get a kill with my new longbow pretty early, this one may actually see some woods time this year.  Here's a couple pics of the two together.  Probably be a long time before I have two collectable Bear bows like this at the same time again.  

[Cavscout9753]

They both look good. If he can handle a 70#'er then Id say you both won out!

[threeundr]

Sounds like you made a good trade to me! Two nice looking bows you have there. BTW, they are only almost 50 years old, not 60. For a minute there you were beginning to make me a little older than I really am. Lol!

[tomsm44]

Yeah, my math went crazy there for a minute.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Glad you like it,  I think you made a good move.

[Ray Lyon]

They're both beautiful, however unless it's a mint collectable wallhanger (which I don't have any of), I want to be able to use it to hunt with, so your's was the right decision.  Enjoy your bow!