I sent in to Great Plains what I was sure was a 1961 Kodiak with green glass. As you will see there is some question as to whether it is fact a 1961 or maybe a 1962. It was as green as any Bear green I've seen but watch for yourself what happens. Either way I'm very happy with the finished product. It is a two part video and I'll post the first part here and it will easy to find the second part. An additional comment is he originally was going to save the logos but called to say they were not going to blend well so I had him to take them off. He is working with a company to print new stick on logos for me. Thanks Jody
Al Reader makes replacement vinyl stickers that can go under the finish. I used one on a Shakespeare, worked very well. I like his videos at Great Plains.
I do have them so Jodi if you would like them just shoot me an email and I will get you all set up.
Nice video BTW. If my old eyes are seeing right those logo's look like they could be a light yellow decal which would be an odd color for a 61. Just goes to show ya that you can't age a Bear by a decal color!
Hey Phil, I’m showing the 62 should have a light green color but I checked Jorge’s book and it shows the 61 was the only year that had the Grayling Green glass. Honestly the decals probably faded thru the years. My reference show the light yellow decals were used up to 60 and they used that color in 66.
AL, 61 was the only year for green glass. If you get to the end of Shane's video you'll see that the glass is dark gray. He said that he thought the green was in the finish but I believe the green cast was caused by the old finish yellowing. That's why I'm pretty sure it's a 62.
I've always felt the 62 was a better shooter than the 61 so wither way Jody made out.
It didn't look like a 62 until he got the finish on it. That would be Brazilian Rosewood. I wish that I could have commented on Youtube to explain that the yellowed finish is what throws off the color. Gray looks green, white looks yellow, zebrawood almost takes on a deep golden hue.
Al I sent you a PM. I am leaning more 1962 myself after seeing the final product. But it was sure green to start with. Either way it is beautiful. Thanks
The glass looked green because the finish had yellowed over time.
The same thing happens with gray actionwood in newer bows. Some finishes that yellow over time (especially epoxy finish) will make gray actionwood look very green. You would swear that it was just green actionwood.
The "African Rosewood" in the sight window is just bubinga as he suspected.
African Rosewood is just a trade name that was used by some for bubinga, but it isn't a true rosewood.
It's a great wood, but it isn't in the rosewood family at all.
The other riser wood looks like Brazilian rosewood, which is definitely a true rosewood.
Brazilian rosewood is really bad about fading over time, but it looks really good after he freshened it up with a little sanding.
I agree it turned out very well and I can say Al decals are spot on as the originals and what I did was take lots of measurements as to where they were which might of been a bit much but I wanted to get that bow back to looking original as possible. I also want to Thank Brandon Stahl for he sent me some scrap fiberglass to do my rip and over lay work and if not for his Generosity that bow might not of got a makeover. I also did as the Great Plains guy did with filling holes with what dust I could sand into the holes in some areas . Got to mention about that I beam riser and how pretty it turned out and this guy did an excellent tutorial bringing back and old gem. Now all it needs is a 5 line strike plate and either a feather rest or carpet rest . I might have some sage green to match it in my stash . Glad he decided to let the Lady’s do the writing cause some Men not All handwriting just “Sucks” lol…. Keefers
Sorry guys I didn’t mention I redid my own bow above but Al’s decals I payed over originals for comparisons and they were spot 9n as I said. Al does a great job and I wished the owner of the bow in the video would have had the decal put on and not sanded off. But to each their own I guess…
Watched both last night, I like the way he repaired the screw holes. I think I would put a wood backer in the hole about an 1/8" down so less sanding for dust would be needed.
I watched that video several weeks ago. I knew that it was a '62 from the onset, so it was interesting to watch that old yellowed finish come off and reveal the true color of the glass. I enjoy his videos and have learned some things about adjusting tiller from them. His method of restoring a bow is much different than the timid manner that I always used. His confidence rubs off on me and now I want to take power tools to an old bow or two to see how quickly I can do a restore and probable destruction of a bow.
