I have never owned one, but want a Bear,, which one best represents his legacy,, if I could just get one,,???

The takedown of course.

I would say the Super Kodiak, just my opinion.

I agree, take down.

The Bear T/D. His crowning design achievement and hunting bow of choice.

He also wrote that he preferred 60" amo for himself.

With out a doubt the TD. From all my reading it was the benchmark of all his accomplishments.

Secondly, In my mind I’d say a 59 Kodiak just because of bows on the little delta.

would I need to get an old one, or the new ones ok,,

What draw length did Fred have?

In my opinion even though he shot other model bows from Bear Archery I would have to say the Grayling Type 1 or Grayling Type 2 Bear Kodiak Takedowns at 65#@28" (B-riser with #1 Limbs).

Fred said his draw length wasv28" and his arrows were 29".

Brad it really wouldn't matter if it was old or new.

Yes definitely the take down. Culmination of his design efforts.

The Bear take-down bow listed in the classifieds is awful nice.

The iconic Fred Bear bow is the 1957 Kodiak he used as a wading staff in Alaska before shooting a costal brown bear at a range under 15 yards. Fred was a proficient marketer of all Bear products, including the TD, but at heart he was a hunter, not a collector of closet queens.

Try one first. Remember it’s all about the fit. Bear made many different models. You might like how another model shoots better. They all Represent Fred’s legacy. Good luck!

Kodiak TD. And, as Nemophilist noted, Fred shot a B riser with #1 limbs.

A Kodiak in its many forms over the years, including the Custom Kodiak T/D which he settled into. Most of his hunting years took place before the takedown and he was in his mid to late 60's when he got it completed. I think he once said, when asked what his favorite bow was, that it would be a 1964 Kodiak. Can't remember who brought it up and when, but I believe that's what he said. Interesting for sure.

Brad, try to find one to see how you like it, I think any Kodiak would be well representative of Fred.

Super Kodiak...unless you have deep pockets.

Wait! Let me put on my helmet and pads for this, The bow most representative of Fred Bear is the Grizzly. It is perhaps the most iconic mass-produced bow in history and is the peak of Fred Bear's mission in this sport. To bring the joy of Archery and Bowhunting to the working class masses.

“The iconic Fred Bear bow is the 1957 Kodiak he used as a wading staff in Alaska before shooting a costal brown bear at a range under 15 yards. ”

That’s the one that came to mind for me….

Super Kodiak

If you really want something that can a testimonial of Fred Bear buy a bow that is a Grayling era original

Which bow best represents Fred Bear? Why, a left-handed one, of course!

Now that I thought more about it properly this one:

Bear "Fred Bear Signature Takedown Bow" Autographed by Fred Bear (1981). There was supposed to be 999 made, but Fred Bear died before all of them were made. They were personally designed, numbered, and signed by Fred Bear. They sold for $1,000 in 1981.

Includes 22 karat gold plated limb mounts, clear glass and custom display box. The limbs are Yew wood with clear glass. The Yew for these bows was cut and seasoned by Earl Ulrich, at age 91. Earl selected Yew for bows all his life in the high mountains of Oregon. The riser is made of Brazilian Rosewood with decorative fiberglass tips.

You will need real deep pockets to buy one of these now days.

Good morning Frank, I seen your post on the Fred Bear signature takedown. What are they going for now? They were way out of my budget when they introduced them!

Jeff last I seen on the big auction site they were asking between $7,000 and $8,000. Way past my budget.

Frank, that signature takedown is just beautiful!! I really wonder if any owners have ever shot theirs? Couldn't imagine not wanting to shoot one but then again who knows? Oh well, I'll never have to debate that decision :).

I seen one being shot on the practice range at ETAR some years back. Sure was a beautiful looking bow.

wow what a beautiful bow,,

In his "Field Notes" he mentions he used the current year's Kodiak model each year on his hunts all the way up to the take down so any Kodiak, Super Kodiak, or take down would be worthy.

When I think of Fred, I remember lots of pics of him with a Super Kodak. Perhaps not the best bow made by Bear Archery but seemed to be a favorite of Fred’s in his later years.

As far as " Legacy goes... Any bow with the Bear logo..

I'm thinkin the 1964 Kodiak.And it is truely one of the best>

A Left-Handed Bear bow made in Grayling, Michigan. I suggest the black and rosewood Super Kodiak.

A Left-Handed Bear bow made in Grayling, Michigan. I suggest the black and rosewood Super Kodiak.

A plain one. Fred's greatest legacy isn't the fancy bows but bringing _affordable_ bows to the average wage-earner.

Ditto Fiddler and Fisher.

Grumley Osage Deerslayer. The pinnacle.

I'd have to agree with Nemo and say the "Fred Bear Signature Takedown Bow" since Fred did pick it out to represent himself.

I love all Bear bows and appreciate what Mr. Bear did for our sport and his continued influence and legacy.

Yep. Kodiak T/D

I once saw a list of owners of the Signature Takedown. I own #187 and recently purchased #99. Anyone know who haskept a record of the owners? Thanks

I hope that wooden one is quieter than my Mag riser. LOL

Fred Bear was an innovator. He kept introducing new designs of the same models, and new models. Everything changed at least a little from year to year. Some changes were dramatic. Like the take down. But in my view the most dramatic innovation was the 1959 Kodiak. Imagine seeing maple bows... and some with walnut and a bit of rosewood... year after year. And then a new design with a bigger riser, and made of all exotic and beautiful... and dense... Brazilian rosewood. Plus an I beam/window of maple, purpleheart, bubinga or rosewood. It must have blown peoples' minds. Both the looks, and the performance.

Then in 1960, the 59 Kodiak was improved even though it looked almost the same. One of the best bows Bear ever made, IMO.

In 1960 he also introduced the Kodiak Deluxe and Kodiak Special Deluxe, with matching zebrawood veneer limbs under clear glass. Bear only produced those bows for 1 year, but they changed the history of bow making. Years later all the top bowyers make custom bows with exotic wood veneers under clear glass. Fred Bear either was the first to do it, or the first to make it popular. Those 1960 Deluxe bows are still probably the most beautiful bows Bear ever made. And among the best shooters.

The 2020 Limited Edition Series #3, a 59 Kodiak replica with macassar ebony riser, bubinga I beam and waterfall bubinga veneers under clear glass, is IMO the modern bow that represents Fred the most. The iconic 59 Kodiak, with the beauty of the Deluxe bows' veneers under clear glass. They also have a low cut radiused shelf, the way Fred made his personal bows. And they are terrific shooters. If you can find one of those new or used... you'd be a thinking of Fred Bear every time you held it.

Oh I think probably the takedown or the '59 Kodiak. Those two really stand out to me.

Super Kodiak.

May or may not be Fred's pick ,but the 1964 Kodiak.

I always liked how after crossing the river, Fred tosses his bow up in the alders while he climbs up the bank;) He obviously believed in his equipment and didn’t have to baby it. That being said, I’m gonna vote pre-takedown Kodiak.

The Grizzly. The Workingman's bow, making Archery and Bowhunting affordable to all. Maybe the most plentiful and successful bow model ever made.

Innovation/Design,,, The K Mag,, adjustable side plate, 3 grips, 3 limbs, 3 lengths, all in one riser.

If you want a one-piece, a Super Kodiak. If you want a take-down, The Kodiak TD of course. Just my $0.02.

Id recommend you get Fred’s books and the book’s written about Pap Bear and then you determine what your opinion of what bow honors him best Id bet he’d tell you to find what works best for you in the woods or ranges He was a great man we all owe a debt of gratitude to you Ive try’d honoring him by owning alot of different Bear model bows and getting an idea of all the differences in them My first bow was a Bear and theres been atleast one Bear bow on my rack since

I know a fellow that i worked with he lives near here that bought a signature new when they came out. Not sure if he still has it he probably does .

Kodiak TD. A design way ahead of its time.

Frankenbow

Frankenbow

Before 1959 the Bear bows were all just someone else’s design. So for me everything after 1958. Not that it matters but my favorites are the ‘59 and ‘60 Kodiak.

But from everything I’ve read. I think Fred was most proud of the T/D

It's worth noting that a lot of the "Fred Bear designs" in the 60's were actually Bill Stewart designs...

It's not surprising that a lot of the owners of archery companies had bowyers working for them that designed and built quite a few of their bows. Gail Martin had Larry Hatfield.

I think its the 60" B riser take down.

And don’t forget Owen Jeffery

Gotta go with the Kodiak takedown B handle.

Owen Jeffery was also bowyer for Shakespeare.

Kodiak or Takedown, not Kodiak Magnum or Kodiak Hunter, or even the Super Kodiak. Kodiak to me is the plain Kodiak that was made until 1966. He did use the Takedown from the time it came out until his death.

Here’s a picture of Fred at Anderson Archery asking me what my bow shot through the chronograph. He wasn’t happy with the 186fps. I was shooting 2419s but couldn’t tell him the weight of my arrows. He was intense and scared my buddy. He was our hero.

The Smithsonian has a 1967 super kodiak displayed as The most perfect form of technology and art. I still believe the kodiak takedown was the pinnacle of modern hunting bows.

I agree, Kodiak takedowns. Love my 2 I own.

i'm used to being hated, so...i pick the 1963 Kodiak, the infamous dogleg. the Magnums from that year underwent three complete make- overs, as Fred & Company worked on it. that year was the start of the process that became the Super Kodiak run at the top ...a very influential time for Bear Archery. if i was a millionaire, however, i'd try to buy his '57 that he killed his huge sheep with. you can't really go wrong...

What bow best represents Bear Archery. I know his favorite was the Kodiak but the Grizzly was the bow most archers could afford. The Grizzly is my favorite bow. I bought a new Grizzly this year and only paid $400.00. You can get cheaper recurves but your not going ,to get a better Recurve at that price.

The Grizzly made the Bear Archery company, it was their bread and butter product. The Kodiak/Super Kodiak was the pinnacle of Bears one piece bows, the Kodiak T/D was always a low volume, quirky T/D bow, it still is.

I’m on my 4th takedown. Loved them all.

Whenever I think about Fred Bear, I cant help but think about the Super Kodiak. That's probably why I own 4 of them and 2 takedowns. The takedown Kodiak is an iconic bow in the world of archery as well but the Super K really gets me.

Why limit yourself to just one model. Buy several and be happy.

The takedown was a failure as far as sales and popularity at the time.He used one because of the ease of travel on airplanes. As far as performance, he made many bows that were superior. His quality and craftsmanship throughout his career represents his legacy. Not to mention everything he did for conservation and bow hunter world wide.

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