Just got a new to me 1956 Kodiak 60". I have several questions. Curious about recs for brace height? Also, do most just shoot off of the wood shelf on this particular bow w/o rug rest? Any idea where to get a leather side plate similar to factory look or do you make your own for this one? Any and all pics or ideas appreciated. I really like the feel of this bow! Will post a pic as soon as I can. Thanks,

The 56' Kodiak has a leather plate/rest that is basically one piece. If you can get a replacement leather plate that would be what was original. Yes, if you like a rug and plate will also work. Bob York from PA has some of the nicest Bear replacement leather plates I have seen.Let me know if you need his contact info.

So easy to make, why buy one? The '56 has great limb design and is an awesome no nonsense recurve! I do prefer the '57s though, simply for the single shelf. That is only personal preference though, as either can be tuned to shoot just as well. Brace is anywhere between 7"-8", though I lean toward the lower, usually around 7.25".

Yes, please send contact info. Also, it's kind of odd but on this bow, (double shelf of course) the right shelf is cut slighty smaller than the left and I just happen to shoot right handed. I am concerned that if I put a rug and leather then there isn't much room left for the arrow?? Just seems odd that the left shelf is slightly larger than the right. Much appreciated!

I can't argue with that woodhavins. Been looking for a 60" 1957 in the range of 45-50 forever but never can find one:( I would rather have a more center cut bow with this same feel and think the 57 fits the bill.

The 56 is a very fast shooting bow. I've owned a few and they will compete with lots of modern bows for performance. It doesn't take long to get used to the small shelf. If you have an old tab, or even a thin shoe tongue you can make a simple rest/plate.

I had a '56 and a '96 widow, same length and 56#. Shot the same arrows and the Widow was 1 ft per second faster. My go to personal favorite is the '56 Kodiak. Sold the Widow. ,56 is light and quik in the hand.

It does seem weird that one shelf is deeper than the other. I would not personally opt for the rug rest. A thin piece of leather works as well. Don't assume that the '57 is that much more centercut. It's really not, despite the single shelf. Performance and shootability is nearly the same IMHO!

Try emailing him [email protected]

That's very true Dave. I noticed a while back that I could hold my GN Ghost up to my old Kodiak, and the geometry was identical!!!! That said, you can usually find a '55-'58 Kodiak for a fraction of the $. Stinks that 2 of yours failed, but should be said, that that can be the case with any bow of that age. Not just the Kodiaks.

Mine is a Kodiak special 68" abd I use 7 3/4" brace

I used to like to shoot mine until it blew up.

was the 50's bear glass made in house?

I took a doe with my '57 this last season. I am more hunter than collector, so I customized the riser to make it more center cut.

Finally posting a pic!

This is a Kodiak Special. The guy who sold it to me lied about the condition. It had a crack running right down the I beam from the shelf to the bottom. I decided to see if I could make it a shooter and after some work I love it.

Bear didn't make glass, they bought it. The were big enough to have their own name attached to it...Bear Glass. There were several companies back then supplying fiberglass to archery companies...3M, and Gordon were just two of them.

New to me 57 is fun too!

I have a '56 Kodiak, 60" and 51# at 28. That thing shoots harder than any of my other recurves and mine is in beautiful shape and condition. I haven't hunted with mine much, just bought if for posterity more than anything else but it's a great bow. I'd love it if someone would start building them again so I could buy another.

Hey Curtis sent you a pm.

That picture is a great reminder of how much hand shaping went into production bows of that era...I bought a bow from Mike Mecredy a year or so ago and asked him for a dual shelf since I shoot both sides...Mike only told me later that he spent quite a bit of time making sure that bow shot the same spine arrow from either shelf, just a reminder for anyone ordering a Maddog how dedicated he is...I have been dealing on a bunch of fifties archery equipment for a while and it appears I may actually buy it...it includes 3 1955 or 1956 Kodiaks and this thread got me interested in contacting the seller to see if they were still available

DDave

Just odd the diff in shelf widths on mine. Not a biggy but noticeable if not shooting a 5/16 shaft.

I often refer people to a picture Wade Phillips once posted of 10 1960 Kodiaks with some very major differences in shape...we live in a world where factories turn out products which are virtually identical by the thousands...that has not always been the case

DDave

Yep, for sure!

I got one! Last year at the Chamberlin Ranch shoot. My first Kodiak- but not the last.

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