From: goldentrout_one
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
Alright, I just took delivery yesterday of a new Bear 59 Kodiak re-issue, 2014 model. I shot this thing for about 1/2 hour when I noticed something odd - it looks like there's glass missing from the belly-side of the riser, just below the arrow shelf. This seems like a defect to me; I have an original 1960 Kodiak, and on that bow the glass extends all the way across.
I consulted with two people whom I consider to be experts with all things Bear - one said that this is a defect and unacceptable, the other said that Bear is now removing this area of glass on new bows because a crack will sometimes develop during cutting out of the shelf (actually sounds reasonable to me). I trust both sources, and both have forgotten more about Bear than I'll ever know.
So, my question to the Leatherwall crew is, for those of you who have purchased new 59 Bear re-issues in 2014, is your bow missing glass in this area? Could you post some pics if possible so we have complete clarity???
Pictured below is my original 1960 Kodiak, looking at the belly-side of the riser (it's a left-handed bow):
Now, pictured below is my new 59 Bear, also a lefty:
Not trying to start a Bear-bashing thread - other than this issue (if it even is an issue), the fit and finish and attention to detail of this bow is awesome (although one of the fades on one side is a tiny bit wonky). If this is standard Bear, then I'm ok with it, if it's a defect, well, I want a new bow! After all, I paid full retail.
Please educate me Leatherwall!!! Thanks in advance.
|
|
From: Rooty
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
Mine is the same
|
|
From: Rooty
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
Also the TD
|
|
From: Yellow Dog
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
Rest easy, my Satin 2014.....
|
|
From: buster v davenport
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
Notice on your '60 that it has a nice radius in the area of question. On the newer bows the shelf where it meets the riser is more square cut. If they had left the fiberglass full length, it would have caused a stress riser and cracked if they did not radius it properly. I have seen other bows that the fiberglass cracked in that area due to having too square of cut.
|
|
From: camodave
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
Looks to me like the problem is with the 1960...if you send it to me I will shoot it for a while and let you know what I think...I might even send it back eventually...at least you would know it is in good company
DDave
|
|
|
From: strshotx
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
I don't have pic's but my 2014 Bear Kodiak looks just like the one above my post.
|
|
From: goldentrout_one
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
Ok guys, thanks for the feedback. I'm officially ok with this bow.
Interestingly enough, the new Bear pretty much hammers my arrows compared to my 1960, even though the 1960 is 44lb and the new bow is 45lb, effectively the same draw weight. Arrows that fly like darts out of the 1960 are clearly underspined for the new Bear, I have to step up to a 2117 or a 2216 to get good arrow flight with the new bow. Part of the explanation might be a) new bear has FF string, old bear had 16-strand dacron, b) new bear doesn't have string 'silencers', old bear has cat whiskers, c) new bear is 60" amo, old bear is 64" amo, and d) new bear has smaller tips and a more narrow profile limb compared to the old Bear. But in any event, this new Bear seems to 'shoot big' for a 45lb bow, and it's surprisingly quiet too. I'm pretty happy with this bow, for the most part.
Thanks again for the feedback...
|
|
From: Dale in Pa.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
Goldentrout, I had a 2013 59er for a while and noticed the same thing. I looked at quite a few others and they were the same so I'm guessing that's just the way they are made.
|
|
From: BigJim
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
BigJim is a Stickbow.com Sponsor - Website |
I suppose it is possible that there is one out there that that piece of glass is not removed, but that would be the exception and not the norm. Not something I pay much attention to since that is the way it is supposed to be.
I went out and checked every 59' I had in stock. As I suspected, all 20+ of them have the glass missing.
When I cut the site window out of the bows I build, the saw often pulls up a tiny piece of glass right where the shelf and sideplate meets. The back side has overlays and protects that.
In my building, I also sand away all the glass at that juncture.
All of Bears bows are hand finished so I suppose one could slip through with the glass remaining. BigJim
|
|
From: SWAG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
Why not contact Bear first...
|
|
From: newell38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
An original and 2 new ones
|
|
From: newell38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
An original and 2 new ones
|
|
From: George D. Stout
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
goldentrout1, are you considering the new bow has a low stretch string versus Dacron on your old one. That will make the new one much perkier for sure.
|
|
From: camodave
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 21-Dec-14 |
|
As I suspected they are like the original 1959 Kodiak as you can see in the picture above...there are differences between a 1960 and a 1959, subtle but there...heck there are big differences between them in the same year...I always think of a picture that Wade Phillips posted of ten 1960 Kodiaks side by side...hard to tell they are the same bow in some ways...big differences in overlays, grip size and limb profiles
DDave
|
|
From: David Mitchell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 23-Dec-14 |
|
Mine looks like yours. I sort of like the look.
|
|
From: mangonboat
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 23-Dec-14 |
|
I think Bear folks figured out a way to avoid a common "defect". I look at a lot of old bows here and there and a significant percentage have fractures or actually chip off a piece right where the shelf is cut. As Big Jim described, the saw creates a lot of stress right at that point during the manufacturing process.
|
|
From: SB
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 24-Dec-14 |
|
All of my REAL '59's have glass under the shelf. I thought it was there to STOP a crack from starting. That's the first thing I noticed when I saw the first repop.
|
|
From: Little Delta
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 24-Dec-14 |
|
Mine is the same as the OP's. Bought last year.
|
|
From: Phil Magistro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 24-Dec-14 |
|
My 60 has glass that extends about 1/4" across the back of the shelf but doesn't go all the way across.
If it helps reduce the chance of a problem and, obviously, doesn't cause any issues I'm all for it.
|
|
From: newell38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 24-Dec-14 |
|
Here is my original 1959 from 1959 and it looks like yours.
|
|
From: kodiaklectomy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 24-Dec-14 |
|
Dave,
Mine is the same and is a friggin rocket at 45# with Gold Tip traditionals in 35-55.
|
|
From: Curtiss Cardinal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 24-Dec-14 |
|
One thing i wish they had done was make a model the is the '59 design with modern components. Action boo limbs cores, carbon back, glass belly, phenolic I-beam. I think that would have stayed a sweet shooter but increased performance. But they didn't ask me.
|
|
|
From: kodiaklectomy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 24-Dec-14 |
|
It shoots 100x better than the one I bought in 1974.. which I still have.
|
|
From: newell38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 24-Dec-14 |
|
1959 from 1959
|
|
From: newell38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 24-Dec-14 |
|
Same as the new ones....
|
|
From: goldentrout_one
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 24-Dec-14 |
|
Curtiss, that would be cool if they had some high-tech options on the Kodiak (similar to what Vintage Works offers today), but then you'd be looking at a $1200 bow, not a $700 bow. I don't think Bear could do any of that and remain competitive. Remember the Takedown Supreme? $1400 bow - very nice bow indeed, but not many takers if I remember correctly...No, if I ever decided to go high-tech, I'd have VW do it.
Kodiaklectomy, same experience here - compared to my 1960, the new 59 Kodiak is a significant performance upgrade, arrows that shoot like darts out of the 1960 are way underspined on the new 59. I haven't chronographed the bows yet (I will and report back), but it just SOUNDS like the arrows hit the target sooner with the new 59er. Not that the 1960 is slow, just than the 59's arrow speed is noticeably faster. Must be due to that high-tech "fascor" Bear used on the new 59 (or not!).
I do prefer the fatter grip on the 1960 compared to the new 59 re-issue, not that the new 59 is a bad grip, I just like a bit more meat on the grabby part of the bow. Not a criticism of the new bow, I don't think there's a correct grip, everyone is going to like something different.
|
|
|
From: goldentrout_one
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 24-Dec-14 |
|
Compared to my 1960, which is a 64", the sight window on the new 59 is smaller (shorter?) than the old bow.
|
|
From: Ghostinthemachine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 24-Dec-14 |
|
Yeah, I meant shorter. I think they are even in the 60".
Not that it matters to me, I'm left eyed and shoot righty.
|
|
From: kodiaklectomy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 24-Dec-14 |
|
Shorter sght window more concentration on target= increased accuracy.. longer riser into fadeout/shorter working limbs = fast bow.
Just ordered a Maple site window. Right eye dominant shooting lefty ..couple years now due bad shoulder .. having fun again. Merry Christmas folks . Out!
|
|
If you have already registered, please sign in now
For new registrations Click Here
|
|
|