Hello Guys, I would like to see some pics of the repo's of 1959 bear Kodiak.. any thing that looks like the 59 will work for me...

Thanks guys,

Cody

What is a "repo" of a '59 Bear Kodiak?

Here ya go Cody.

This is a 50's style recurve that I've been working on for the past few months now.

The one shown is the prototype and is a 62"er. It also has a matching 64" hybrid style longbow (or semi-recurve) prototype (shown in the pics). Both bows use the exact same riser design.

The recurve is not intended to be a "repo" or copy of a '59 Kodiak, but it's made in a similar style.

When I decided to make the bow, I wanted that 50's style look, however, I didn't set out to copy any particular model. So, as far as I know, it doesn't share the exact same geometry as a '59. I think the riser on this bow is a little smaller/petite, both in length and width than a '59?

My main goal in designing the bow was just to capture the essence of the bows that made in the late 1950's.

I actually have a nicer looking one that I'm in the process of finishing up right now. It also has a classic I-beam laminated riser made from Goncalo Alves (Tigerwood) with a dark Ziricote sight window. The limbs are clear glass over Goncalo Avles veneers with Bamboo cores. It's really turning out to be a sharp looking bow! I'll post a pic of it for ya in a few days after it's completed.

Take care,

Brandon

Doesn't your friend, Ron, have a 'Grayling Special'?

Are those static tips Brandon on the new recurve your working on?Are the limbs narrow as well?Looks great!

I'd consider them to be more of a semi-static.

It doesn't have any type of tip stiffening insert or a sharp "kinked" limb tip like some of the statics have.

However, it does have a fairly tight radiused tip that does open up slightly. That's why I really wouldn't consider it to be a true static.

The proto shown actually had a little deeper hook than what I intended the bow to have. I made the necessary adjustments to the limb design and re-cut the form. The results were good and I was satisfied.

The limbs on the bow are fairly narrow. The bow starts out as a 1 1/2" wide blank. The limb taper starts well into the riser fadeout area and progresses nicely all the way to the tips.

I should have pics and more info on both bows posted on my website soon. (I hope)

ed holcomb version

both of these are holcombs

beautiful looking bows. MR

McCoullough

McCoullough & Holcomb

Big River

i love the 59 profile....an original

maybe one day i will own an original

The 59 Kodiak is a classic for sure.

brandon they look great as always :)

joe - really like the first one.. that wood pops out. this one.. real pretty.

Wow!!! What a visual treat! 8^)

I hate to see them reposessed though, that's a shame. I had a Big River 59' Reproduction and it was sweet. Of course I traded it for something else.

Here we go...

This is the Goncalo/Ziricote bow after the first sealer coat so it's not totally finished yet but getting closer.

The seal coat is glossy but the bow will have a flat/satin finish on it when it's done.

I actually like it in gloss but since this is just an inventory bow, it's better to finish it out in flat/satin. I've learned that most guys don't like a shiny bow.

The gloss does help this one look really classy though. It really lets the iridescence and light figure of the Goncalo Alves "pop" out at you.

[IMG]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f239/recurvecrafter/Ocelotbowpics001-vert.jpg[/IMG]

Lets try that again. Sorry about that.

I like Brandon!!!! I sent you another PM

George---I think your comment went a bit high---like over some heads (as did my earlier one).

yupp, brandon i like :)

you make a great bows.

chris.

This is one that I'm working on. The '59 was one of the bows that served as inspiration. 60" 45#. Black Walnut riser with black glass and lamboo cores. Just a prototype, so the next one will have pretty wood and veneers.

Brandon if that baby shoots half as good as it looks you will sell alot of them.

stykzz - i like it. i think you are on to a great design. right this moment in time im at the stage of a single piece of pretty wood is a sexy riser to me..

sorta burnt out on all the fancy designs.. ( i reserve the right to pick which days i like fancy or simple )

chris

jipp, I like plain ol' black glass too, along with a nice hunk of rosewood and maybe an I beam of zebra or purpleheart. That bow is beautiful Brandon but much too busy for my taste.

Thanks Jipp. I know it doesn't look exactly like a '59, but I kept tweeking the form until I got it just the way I wanted it. I made three forms before I got smart and started using JB weld to add where I needed more material (on the form).

Everyone that shoots it really likes it, but I don't know if they're just being nice. Anyway, I like it, and that's all the really matters I guess. The handle material (black walnut) is really light in weight so the bow weighs next to nothing. I'll do cocobolo and something else next time around.

Wow - beautiful work guys!

><>

Chief

Here is one made out of Wenge. Made by Vintage Works.

Hey stykzz, send that beauty to me and I'll let you know if I really like it !!! LOL

Also just received a 59 Kodiak with maple sight riser and rosewood from vintage works via an ebay connection, the bow is gorgeous. He is a pleasure to do business with, the bow was delivered in less then 6 weeks .

only pic I have is an unfinished pic beside the original

nolz - thats gonna turn out nice. :)

chris.

ok, iv read the 64 was the cats meow.. so is the 59 next up? or are they two different animals.. shows my bear ignorance.

for life of me i thought the 64 was the one everyone wanted.. or is it the 59.. shrugs, i say lets have both!!! and lets not make life hard i guess.

chris.

Some more pics of Kodiaks from Vintage Works.

And some more Vintage Works.

Who is this guy vintage works bow guy ??.. Dose he have a web site or how can I find him or ebay name...

Holcomb 59 special with the PII grip.

Here's a couple that I've been fortunate enough to get my hands on.

A Maple sight window 60" 55# and a Purple Heart Sight window 60" 48# Both have brown backs and burnt orange bellies.

Trap

Cody, the guy who owns Vintage Works is Scott Reed. He can be reached at [email protected] Right now there is no website.I go over to Scott's about once a week to make some bow dust. For you guys in Colorado, I will have a few Kodiak replicas at the Jamboree this summer for sale.

Thnak's Guys

Does Big River Bows have a website? Anyone else have a website who restores and/or makes reproductions of the old Bear bows??

Thanks, Daddy Bear

Beaver Bug those are good looking feather rests and leather sideplates-did they come with the bows?

Thank You Bjorn, I make the feather rests and sell them as "Trap's Feather Rests" Bob York from Pennsylvania made the strike plates.

Trap

trap - do you switch the feathers from left to right? i think i remember reading one of the better feather rest were design like so.

chris.

Chris, Yes I use RW feathers for RH shooters and LW feathers for LH shooters. The rests are also shaped in a way that holds the arrow against the strike plate. I found that artififial barred domestic turkey feathers did not hold up well and switched to Natural barred wild turkey feathers about a year ago and they are super durable now.

Trap

trap - sounds like a winner. iv always been a fan of the feather rests :) they just work so well.

chris.

Nice bow, joe vt!! LOL!

>>--Ron--<>

Man those are nice bow's papa bear would be proud of the quality and work that went into them and keep his legacy alive.

I purchased a B handle take down,I like this bow so much I want to build a replica as well,I talked to Owen Jeffrey of Jeffrey archery and he wasnt sure how long it was, he used to be freds main bowyer in grayling...but what I was wondering what the dimenions of a super kodiak in the 1970's,basically the overall length on the back side of the riser.This is for a 60" bow,I was wonder if somebody out there could give me a rough measurement on what it would be.This is going to be a bow for myself,so I have one of each and will not be for sale when I build it...thanks for your time...hawk

Greyhawk, I'll measure my '69 and '71 models and get back to you. I also have a B riser Owen built for me back around '87 or '88- the date is on the bow and I'll check it.I want to say 17" but I better measure. Be very careful about seating the limb sockets- I have seen some beautiful replicas but I've never seen one on which the sockets fit into the profile as well as they do on the Bear originals. Ambitious project, good luck. Grant

Thank's grant for your time I appreciate it...this is the one piece version...and yes I was wondering when I build the mold and the bow will be belly side down to get the curved parts of the riser on the belly side centering on the mold will be tricky I am thinking...but I am a hobbiest bowyer so I have plenty of time...lol...thank's again.

Thank's grant for your time I appreciate it...this is the one piece version...and yes I was wondering when I build the mold and the bow will be belly side down to get the curved parts of the riser on the belly side centering on the mold will be tricky I am thinking...but I am a hobbiest bowyer so I have plenty of time...lol...thank's again.

http://jefferyarchery.com/main/custom_bows.htm

Get a Jeffery. He made bows for Fred Bear.

Hey Grant, you said Owen built you a take down recurve in 87 or 88 was that a fred bear take down or one of his, I am assuming one of his...very nice gentle man.His son said he is 85yrs old...I said wow...but Owen told me he has built 300,000 bow's after I said is it true you have built 50,000...lol, but nice none the same,I got to talk to a legend...very special...

Greyhawk, the bow he built me was a B length riser, repro Bear latch system takedown. I still own the bow. We took the hardware out of an '81 or '82 greenstriper. Its made from bubinga and walnut. He also built a Super Kodiak copy for me that was the best performer I ever owned. As a bowbuilder you know that every once in a while one just comes out "hot" and this bow was an anomaly. It disappeared in a divorce in 1993. I still miss it. I spent a lot of time with Owen in the mid to late Eighties and I can't tell you how much I treasure those times or how much I respect him on a number of different levels.

Oh wow that are times that a person sure appreciates hey.And the divorce, I bet she doesnt shoot a bow...lol..crappy and not nice...but that replica of the super kodiak you don't remember what the riser length was a round about guess and if owen built it,that would really be special for sure...I can always take some measurement's off of my take down and guestamate...what it would be...and yes some bow, I make I think it will be a stinker, but once you get the riser cut and sand there is a nice surprise in the wood.

Man I just love these bows. Definately at the top of my wish list.

I agree with Tracy, love looking at the bowyers crafts. Great job guys on your bows, very nice. habu john

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