What are the differences in the Bear recurves. I get the riser shapes and lengths. Are the limbs the difference? Different profile, different lams, different riser length? Appreciate any information.

"That depends on what your definition of 'Bear recurve' is." ;-)

Fred and Co. constantly tinkered with bow designs through the years. One of the things you'll notice immediately is how widely the grips vary from model to model (and year to year in some cases). For example, it makes a difference whether you're gripping a Grayling Kodiak Magnum or a Gainesville one. I love the grip on the former and loathe the latter.

You can get a very good overview of the particulars in Jorge Coppens book, "Bear Archery Traditional Bows, A Chronological History 1949-2015".

Eadsvolling, appreciate it. Was kind of curious as to whether some of the bows out perform the other. I have a Grayling Grizzly that performs very good. Seeing as the Grizzly is pretty much on the bottom, I just wondered about the other moels.

The new 59 Kodiak has completely different limbs than say a grizzly. They're very narrow and deep while the grizzly has more of a flat and wide limb.

So yes there are differences apart from the riser shape.

A few observations I have made.

The 1961 and '62 bows had their risers forward from the late fifties models and the riser was extended much more into the limbs than the earlier models.

The 1960 bows had wider risers and larger moderate hand grips than the '59's and earlier had straighter grips.

The 1960 K Specials had narrower limbs than the '59 K Specials even though they look similar.

The 1963 Tamerlane was the only one which did not have a side insert on the riser, but they were also the best looking in regard tot the rosewood used for the risers.

After 1963, much of the Brazillian rosewood in the Bear bows was larger grained and not so good looking although there are some 1962 bow I have seen where the rosewood grain looked too much like plywood. Saw a '62 K Mag the other day on the auction block which had ugly wood grain, which is rare for the '62's.

If you get Jorge Coppen's book, get the second edition if you can. It has several corrections in it that were pointed out by members on here.bvd

'61 and '62 Kodiaks with their riser extensions into the limbs.

'59, '60' and '62 K Specials with the '59 having the straightest grip, and the '60 having a much wider moderate grip.

Long risers with short limbs tend to be relatively fast bows. Short risers and longer limbs will feel smoother but not be as fast...normally. There are always ifs, ands and buts, so you need to shoot a few. A more deflexed riser generally will be a tad slower than one more straight or set behind the limbs. A lot of gozintos which is why I say you can't compare one with another unless it is of identical design.

Pick tip a copy of Jorge Coppen's "Bear Archery Traditional Bows". Contains descriptions and pictures of just about every model bow Bear made, and lots of other good info.

Sure appreciate all the answers.

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