Was just on Bears website checking to see what bows they are offering this year and what colors. Did not see the K4 on there website. Have they stopped making them ?

A friend of mine contacted a supplier about possibly getting one. The supplier told him the bow was a major disappointment and actually discouraged him from buying one. Sounded like they are kind of a dud!

It takes a special kind of guy to like them. The people that like them, really like them. I see a few used ones come up for sale. It would be cheaper to just buy an early fifties Grizzly or Kodiak and enjoy the same thing for about $150 or less.

Believe me, you're not missing anything. Easily the worst bow, I've ever shot. I'm convinced that anyone that likes them is just defending them, because they spent the money and need to justify it. Lol.

What I don't like about mine is the grip. Too squarish, too short from the bottom of the sight window to the bottom of the grip--3 1/2" and the leather wrap is only 3" that is on that. I am not able to get a comfortable grip on it and there is not enough wood to alter it. As far as shooting goes, it shoots right along with bows, especially longbows, of similar draw weight. Bear is not showing them on their web site any more. Maybe that says something. I got it because I like the old school look and never had a static tip bow before.

I shot my 1952 K4 last Tuesday. Great bow, really fun to shoot. Accurate, light in hand, and pretty zippy. More like a longbow than a recurve, but I also like longbows. I hope they didn't stop making them, I think they are cool Chuck S

Well it's a niche bow anyway. Folks into the early static recurves will likely love them. If you expect them to shoot like a laminated working recurve, well then you are in for a disappointment. I don't own any but I've shot them and thought they were fun. About like a straight limb longbow in their behavior.

I bought a vintage k4 a couple months ago, I think it is fantastic. I haven’t built any bows in a long time but I am going to make a copy of this one. Maybe two or three.

I test shot one when they first came out a couple years back and if Bear ceased production of the re-released K4?....

it was a good decision.

and that's being nice about it.

Variety is the spice of live as some one once said. Supple,and demand also.

I like mine and have nothing bad to say about it. Lance

I have a great 1953 rh 47# that I used to hunt with, but I'm shooting less weight now.

I have an old one. I can’t shoot it right now bc of the draw weight, but when I was, it shot just fine. No complaints. I wouldn't mind having one in a lighter draw weight sometime down the road.

I always enjoy seeing a new bow or old bow being offered by Bear or any other company or custom builder. Also hate seeing one discontinued, because there is always someone out there that enjoyed that model. But I also understand if it’s not profitable they have to do away with models.

I saw one at a TBOF shoot at the Bear Archery Booth. It looked like a cool fun bow to shoot. I was thinking when I saw it that It's not gonna cast an arrow like any of my modern homemade ILF recurve limbs or KennyM designed longbows from my shop.. It's a old design that was phased out many years ago. I didn't shoot it or buy one.. I took it for what it I thought it was meant to be?? Nostalgic??.. Likely not a speed bow like we have now days.

I was excited to try one and then really disappointed once I did. I'd rather shoot one of those 100% fiberglass bows

My first traditional bow was an old 50's style grizzly reclaimed from a dumpster dive. Very reminiscent of the K4 reproduction. Loved the old grizzly and shot very well with it so I was excited to shoot the K4 reproduction. It was one of the bigger disappointments in my life. Tried the new K4 at a local archery shop which had 2 of them. Both uncomfortable to hold and hand shock of unimaginable proportions. As much as I would have liked to buy one just to have a taste of old glory I have several other bows much more pleasing and easier to shoot. Thanks for the effort Bear but I had to take a pass.

Dirtnap, I do not find the hand shock you speak of and I have bad arthritis in the base knuckle of the pointer finger on my right hand which is my bow hand. There are few if any ASL style bows I can shoot for more than a few arrows and the pain sets in in that knuckle that makes it no more fun. My K4 does not do that at all. But as I posted above, I am still trying to find a comfortable hold on that riser.

Has anyone shot both an original and the new version? I only ask because it seems everyone who tried the new one hates it and everyone who has an original loves it.

I own an original and don't find the handshock some do unless I shoot very light arrows. I will say though, the grip does leave a little to be desired.

I love that bow though!

Don't think there is ever a worst bow it's the archers fault not knowing or learning the characteristics to shoot.

Just saying what I have found.

Hand shock ? Some are more delicate and can feel the slightest where others might not. Heavy arrows help as well as some strings as well.

There are many variables in all that we do and variations to degrees of explanations too.

I like mine . But I guess I’ll box it up it’ll be a collectible. Shoots good with a 71-2 inch brace height 600 gr arrows with a bow quiver . It’s not going to shoot like a full working recurve . More like a longbow.

I love mine. The grip is short but I still hold it with a full hand kinda like a hill. Mines 57lbs and shoots well with wood or a weak aluminum since those were never cut close to center. I dont get the hand shock some speak of. Amazing a person would buy a 1952 bow(its made on the old forms so it is in essence a 52 bow) and expect 2000 performance.

I have an old k6 from the early 50's. It shoots amazing but it is around 60 lbs. I love the entire feel of that bow. I did not know the difference between the k6 and k4 until just recently. k4 is 64 inches and k6 is 66 inches.

I just got a new 55lb rh k4 off ebay. It hand really bad hand shock until I shot heavy arrows. A boxey grip not like the k6 too bad!!!!!!!!!! The static tips are not as deep as my k6.

It is a neat bow but I am glad I got it at a very reduced price. Might keep it might sell it not sure yet.

People that expect tye K-4 to perform like a current style bow should realize that it's a historic design used before the full working recurve came out. It is a transition of the times when bows were changing to improve their performace. Don't knock it for what it is, enjoy it for what it was.

I love mine

Mr. LaClair said it best. It's a wonderful reproduction. It's not meant to be used to compete in FITA. Sad to it discontinued.

Mine shoots great and has no hand shock if you grip and shoot it like a hill style longbow. Its a piece of history and in essence IS a 52 kodiak. People buy it expecting a modern day version of a static tip recurve and its not. Its the original.

Nostalgic is a great description. It's cool for what it is. I enjoyed test shooting one. I didn't buy one because it didn't do it for me. But it was fun. I'd love to see some other vintage models reintroduced, as other members mentioned in other threads.

I have 3 or 4 brand new k4s. If they aren't listed now, they will be soon. Big sale! BigJim

I really enjoy my stactic bows old and new one ! I agree with Ron Laclair 100%

I recently got a K-4 and am loving it. Only issue I’ve had is the finish has horizontal stress marks. But its only the finish. I’ll have to get new arrows that fit it better but it is a fine bow. I would say it has a higher build quality than my 98 takedown by a long shot. Just a notch below the Grayling bows.

We have 3 K-4s in stock and brand new.

They are not currently listed on our website, but you can call to order if you like.

1 @ 45lbs Right Hand 1 @ 55lbs Right Hand 1 @ 50lbs Left Hand

Retail on these is $599 They will be sold at $395 to three lucky bow buyers.

Thanks, bigJim

I am so glad I bought this bow. This bow is so much fun to shoot. This is one of my bear bows I shoot the most accurate. Glad I kept it !!!!!!!!!!!!!

My brother bought a K-4. I thought it was kind of crude with the grip feeling really chunky and squareish. The whole bow seemed to lack refinement. Find a Static Grizzly. I think mine is a 1954 model. It has a double shelf and is a very graceful looking and feeling bow. I really mine.

"The whole bow seemed to lack refinement". Well alrighty then.

The bow is a representation for what was available at that time. It is not meant to cater to the ones who need fancy woods and modern design, veneers and shiney well rounded grips, et al...it's a replica. Our manufacturing process evolved greatly over the decades and it's wonderful to be able to experience that evolution rather than just read about it.

Love it or hate it, you have to admit, those limb tips look pretty cool with all those laminations. Still, I wonder at the thought process of Bear to bring this bow back, I don't see it as ever having a very large fan base, used ones never seemed to pull down much money or generate much interest. I'd think a re-intro of a 1961/62 Kodiak would make more sense and would have appeal to both collectors and people that just want a nice recurve bow.

"The whole bow seemed to lack refinement". Well alrighty then. The bow is a representation for what was available at that time. It is not meant to cater to the ones who need fancy woods and modern design, veneers and shiney well rounded grips, et al...it's a replica. Our manufacturing process evolved greatly over the decades and it's wonderful to be able to experience that evolution rather than just read about it"

It seems more like the modern version just isn't as polished as the old model. Likely because the craftsmen doing the finish work in the 50s might have honed their skills better.

I have 1-new k-4 and 3 other statics.... luv em' all !

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here