Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: jeffp51 on March 12, 2017, 12:46:13 am
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first time at the archery range. I wanted to see how they would react to my home made gear. One older guy working there liked the look of my stuff and the next thing I know, he is pulling out a 1953 Bear Kodiak recurve. It has a tip overlay that he glued back on crooked, and said he would never shoot it again, so if I wanted it, I could have it. I figured I could find a good home for it. I am thinking about putting it up for trade here. Do you think anyone would be interested? What would it be worth in trade?
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Mullet collects bear bows, not saying he will want this one but
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I'd love to have it but I don't know if I'd have anything worth trading for it.
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I am interested in it. I have no idea of the value of a bow like that though. PM sent
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That is quite a design to mimic maybe with a laminated wood bow.Looking kinda just like Marcs' recurves really.Love these new emoitcoms or whatever you call them. :BB
When ever I break my next bow I'll use this one :-K
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That is quite a design to mimic maybe with a laminated wood bow.Looking kinda just like Marcs' recurves really.Love these new emoitcoms or whatever you call them. :BB
When ever I break my next bow I'll use this one :-K
That does look a lot like Marc's profile. I bet Marc has a nicer full draw profile though😊
:-K this one is actually for knapping Ed but I understand what your saying, any knappers really understand this one lol.
Bjrogg
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there's no way I'd get rid of that bow..
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You have a classic,,,is it a shooter? I have redone bows in much worse shape(I don't call myself a restorer) think about what you have ,,,just sayin,,,jeffw
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Looks more like a 1959 Kodiak. I would hang on to that bow and use it.
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Looks a lot like my green Kodiak LH, not sue of the year - I would say Hang one on to it and find out if it a shooter or a wall hanger. Might be of value either way.
Hawkdancer
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I did some digging today, and my best guess is that it is either 1960 or 61--based on the badge inlay. similar bows on the auction site are going for between $200 and $800 dollars. It still looks sound with the exception of the tip overlay that needs re-working. A couple of people have expressed interest and I wouldn't mind seeing this go to a good home to someone who would really appreciate it. If I want to shoot fiberglass, I have a bow from my father that has a lot more sentimental value to me. I would hate to see this one gather dust.
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JEB beat me to it. Hang onto that. I'd feel bad if I was able to beat you out of it. That's the Holy Grail for Kodiak collectors if it is a 59. I have a 58 and 60. I would like a 59, though, I shelled out the $700 for the new Reproduction by Bear.
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JEB beat me to it. Hang onto that. I'd feel bad if I was able to beat you out of it. That's the Holy Grail for Kodiak collectors if it is a 59. I have a 58 and 60. I would like a 59, though, I shelled out the $700 for the new Reproduction by Bear.
Mullet,
It has an inset aluminum badge. The markings are screen printed--from what I can find on the interwebs, that makes it sound like a '60 or '61. How can you tell if it is a '59?
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You are probably right, but you can't go by the coin all of the time.Most 59's had red/white overlays and occasionally brown/white. Also a copper coin with the logo on the back of the limb.The 59 had a six inch site window under 50# and a four inch one for heavier bows.
60's , most of them had aluminum coins and a more pronounced recurve profile with black/white overlays.Both had brown and orange glass on the belly.
Both years are highly sought after and sweet shooting bows with the 60 being known as the best shooter.
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There seems to be a fair amount of interest in this bow, so I thought I would post a few more pictures and see if anyone recognizes anything
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The shot window is 4" and if I had to guess, it has purpleheart in the window, with the rest of the riser some other wood I don't recognize. It looks a little like walnut, but I am not sure.
Here are a couple more
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That is a beautiful bow. Very similar to my first recurve in the late 60s, early 70s when I was a youth.
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Good score! I'd hold onto that. Cheers- Brendan
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Woo, that's one sweet find.
Personally I'm always getting pestered by glamorous movies stars rather than being given bows ::)
Del
(Damn my pants have just ignited)
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That's a keeper. I'd bet the house with those tip overlays and the purpleheart sight window it's a '59. :OK Let me work on the serial number, I have a list somewhere.
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Maybe this will help. 59's had red/white overlays and the later models had purple heart risers. 55# and up had 4" sight windows.
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Super nice! Lucky you!
How bad is the overlay? Have a picture?
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I thought I had posted that--looks like I missed it. It looks like it could be easily removed and reset. here are a couple of pics.
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With any luck, Mullet should be getting a new bow today. Tracking says it is at his post office. I look forward to seeing the restoration.
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Very cool. That'll be fun to see when I'm up visiting next time.
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The wife said it got there right after noon. :OK (-S
Yea, it's here, and with a real nice, custom, felt lined , cedar box. You went above and beyond, Jeff. I'm cleaning it up. Then I'm going to remove the tip overlay and put the missing piece of white phenolic back on. I'll put a finish on it but, I'm going to leave the scratches and nicks that tell a 58 year old story. I'm very surprised the limbs are twist free.
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Glad you like it--I might have gotten a little carried away. My kids kept asking why I was making a box and going to all the effort for someone I don't really know. I kept telling them I was doing it because I can--and to leave me alone and let me have my fun. I enjoyed the process, and the thoughts of surprising Mullet with it. here are some pictures. I have been waiting to post them until after Eddie got the package. It's made from cedar fence planks so it is soft and will get banged up and aged looking pretty quick--which should make it match the bow before too long. I am looking forward to seeing the restoration.
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Very nice (-S ! Bob
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That is a pretty nice "box". Supper nice case Jeffp51. I'm guessing your gonna let a couple arrows fly with that puppy when your done Eddie. Gotta start next chapter in its next 58 years.
Bjrogg
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I'm hoping to be able to shoot it at the Classic. I just have to get the tip off in one piece and get it glued back on straight. Being put on crooked is making the limb want to twist and cutting the serving on the string.
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I have a razor saw with fine teeth that I would have used if I had kept the bow. There looks to be enough gap with the glue that it would probably have worked.
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Jeff, that may be the nicest bow case I have seen. Excellent work.
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Sheesh! Nice box! ;D
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Well, the good tip overlay popped right off but the boogered up one will have to be replaced. I just ordered red and white phenolic and I will redo both tips to match.
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why did you pop the good one off? so they would match? How did you remove it?
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Yea, Jeff, so they would match. I did like Bow Doc did in his tutorial on restoring a Kodiak and slid a razor knife behind it and gave it a tap. Popped right off. The other one had so much epoxy slopped on it I basically had to chop it off.
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Well this old girl got a face lift. Made her look and feel younger than her 58 years and she will certainly ling an arrow almost as fast as the '59 Kodiak Bear reissue I have. This old girl just feels better shooting, though. I redid both tips, had to to make them match. The one glued on crooked was just trashed. I made them a half inch shorter than the originals.Put the feather rest back on and the '59 strike plate leather, wet sanded it a little and filled in the two cracks in the purple heart, added a light finish and called it good after cleaning up the Rosewood. I still want to put a flemish string on but think I'll pick one up at the Classic.
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There was some pretty Rosewood hiding under all of that grundge. And I hate it when I rotate my pictures and then they go back like they were when I post them :-[.
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Wow! Very nice work.
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So glad that Bow found its way to your hands Eddie. You done good on that one. It'll last another 58 years easy.
Bjrogg
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Nice job on that bow Eddie. I have quite a few Bears but none in the late 50's. Guess I will be on the look out for one since everyone that has one raves about them.
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Thanks, guys. The only reason I got into buying and trading for Bear bows was to work my way up to the coveted 1959. I am really happy to finally get one. I liked to have cried a few years ago when I got a 1960 I thought was a '59 but it worked out when I traded it for a Flintlock.
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I'm glad you got that bow Eddie. You restored it beautifully. I can twist up a string for it as long as D-97 or FF will work on it. I have lots of colors to choose from.
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Thanks, Clint, I know you wanted it.I put phenolic on it and everybody says you can shoot FF with it. I'm game ;D Red/white, purple/ brown, or Florida Gators Orange /Blue. :OK
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Thanks, Clint, I know you wanted it.I put phenolic on it and everybody says you can shoot FF with it. I'm game ;D Red/white, purple/ brown, or Florida Gators Orange /Blue. :OK
It ended up in the right hands Eddie. How many strands and what is the exact length that you need? Do you want me to pad the loops? Are you able to serve it?
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Great job Eddie, the bow looks beautiful.
Kevin
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(-S. I am really glad this made it's way to you. If it had stayed with me, it would have just collected dust. You really​ cleaned it up nice.--makes you wonder about the last 58 years.
Enjoy the bow-and we need some full draw pics.