Im looking at pulling the trigger on a 2014 59 Kodiak. If you own one, can you please post up a pic and let me know what you think of them? I have a lot of curves and am really curious about your thoughts...

I think it’s a wonderful bow. Light in the hand. Sweet to shoot and excellent performance.

Just got one a month or so ago and have been impressed with it. Been shooting surewoods off it and with a ten ring string she is quiet! Light weight, pointable and really throws an arrow. When you look at the tips and the limb taper it speaks performance.

Took off the grip and thought about putting a beaver tail grip on it but the more I shoot it with out a grip the more I like it. I am a fan of a small throat and its definitely has that now...still debating a leather/beaver tail grip....it is a 59 so I guess it should have a grip on it but Fred shot his without a grip soooo.....

I really like mine. Very smooth to draw and a joy to shoot. One of my favorite aspects of the bow is the grip. The grip is a little more narrow than most recurves I've shot but it fits my hand perfect. I like my remake so much I sought out an original that I acquired at an estate sale. There is very little difference between the remake and the original. It has become my favorite recurve. Try to shoot one first. I think you'll probably purchase one if you do. Good luck.

One if the best recurves I've ever owned

I think they are an excellent bow.I've been shooting traditional bows for 20+ years and have had probably 50+ trad bows and still have around 25 bows and did not think I needed anymore bows.Then I shot my buddies new Bear Kodiak,it shot great and handled a good variety of arrows.I just had to get one for myself and I did pick up a 2014 Bear Kodiak in barely used condition.I really like the 50's style recurves from being a long time longbow shooter.Love every bit about it from the way it shoots and the classic look.The only thing I didn't care for was the factory string.It was 16 strands of D97 with the loops way too large for my taste.A 4" upper loop and 3" lower loop so I twisted up a 10 strand Ultra Cam with proper sized loop ends and made the upper loop 2.5" and the lower loop 2".It has narrow limbs close to that of a longbow,excellent bow in my opinion and still have it!

Thanks for the input so far. I really appreciate it. They certainly are a gorgeous looking bow.

I like mine the grip is a little small for me but i make it work

From Phil Magistro, "I think it’s a wonderful bow. Light in the hand. Sweet to shoot and excellent performance." I couldn't have said it better. It's hands down my favorite recurve. And I've owned a pile of them in the last 28 years.

Picked one up at RMSGear recently, great bow, I'm sure you'll love it.

Here's mine with a beaver tail grip. Feels great.

I too have a 59 reproduction currently without a leather grip. Been shooting it without one for a while but have leather for a new grip which came with the bow from one of our LW members. Will put on a leather grip later this year. Plan to use the bow for 3-D's and for the family next winter in Florida. The bow definitely has significantly less wood and riser mass than my '61 and '62 Kodiaks, and I was surprised by how small the riser actually is, but it is well balanced, and comfortable. Shoots really great and has as much speed as my older heaver draw weight Bears. I also think the wood grain in the riser is well done. Think it's a real good looking bow. It'll be enjoyed by my family and I'm proud to have it on my bow rack.

In reference to the photo above, I have a red "Trap" made feather rest in the tackle box for the bow and plan to change the leather side plate to the older style reddish color leather side plates. The new grip leather is also a reddish color. Thought about trimming the leather side plate slightly at its front and back 1/8 inch and 1/8 to 3/16 inch off the top to show more riser wood. This will make the riser look larger and more characteristic of the older Bear bows.

Well, it's probably the most iconic recurve ever built...and certainly one of the prettiest designs.

If the grip fits, you must git!

That bow looks like ebony instead of rosewood. Very nice!!!!

I made that rest too, so wear it out before you put that red one on.

Beautiful bow

Will do Trap

they are beautiful looking bows... I like the low grip...What sort of length were they? alex

I wish there was a light weight lefty to try somewhere

They are 60" bows.

The new ones are 60".

The old one were 56"...60"...64".

Here's a original 59 that was beat to death and reminded me of an old wounded soldier returning from battle! Loads of that white bandage tape,missing the limb tip on one, missing the medallion it wore on it's riser and carried 14 holes like a wounded soldier.I was the highest bidder and brought this old fella back home for about $22.00 or so and I nursed it back to life.

May be upside down but you get the picture.

Holes and missing Medallion

overlays

Sorry to post that same picture above but meant to show this one of the tip missing on one limb

Now as asked "My Opinion" is Yes they are worth it! Here's some transformation on my very first ever repair and this bow was a good candidate to do this on.

New tips

New specs I re wrote on it

Two holes on this side I filled and True oil finish on it . Like 10 or more coats.

side view of tip

Finished picture.

before I stitched a leather wrap on.

Keefers, your bow looks amazing! Thank you all for your contributions and opinions. I am saving hard for the 59 now!

My man Keefers......WOW!!! Bruce told me you had mad skills, that is impressive!!!!

Arrowflight I had a 2014 0r 2015 can,t remember. bear made some of the 59er,s that were 5# heavy in draw weight than marked. hope you get to shoot her before you buy. just my 2 cents worth .beacon p s super fun bow to shoot!!

I regret letting mine go and will deffintly be getting another

Holy crap Keefers, that's beyond outstanding.

Awesome!!

Thanks everyone for the comments but you may notice this piece of overlay I installed on the belly side isn't something a original 59 Kodiak has but I put it there to cover several holes that were eye sores so to speak.

Before picture of holes in the strike plate. Even had a metal screw broke off I had to remove.

There are actually 4 holes where the strike plate was but two are hard to see and other two as I was filling them .Have to look real hard but they were there . 14 holes were in this bow.

Well done Keefers. Your rehab work is excellent.

Keeper excellent work on a piece of history

That's a awesome job on that bow very nice

I have one and it is a wonderful bow,Its just a little to heavy for me.

Damned fine restoration Keith! Thank

Thanks to Brandon Stahl and Lee Hoots who both sent me some scrap glass to use for the tips and overlay's. Both guys are Master's at building bows and their generosity is greatly appreciated . Keith <')))><

excellent

Kieth very nice repair work you put new life into a bow most would scrap . great job

Once again thanks for all the feedback on the iconic 59 Kodiak. I managed to sell one of the recurves which gave me the chance to pull the trigger on this one. I have to say, I am smitten with it. I love how light the bow is, Ive married it up with an Eagles Flight quiver, which you hardly notice is there. It is a smooth drawing bow and super quiet too. I wasnt sure I would like the feather rest, but it seems to suit this bow and performs really well. I am so glad I bought this bow! Now to put some more cedars through it...

That's a good looker for sure.

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here