Anyone else have multiple 59s? I have a new make Bear 59 Kodiak that I really like. I shoot it all the time. The grip is perfect. I has a 2015 SN. I purchased a backup with the same specs. 55 lb, purple heart, satin finish, 2016 SN. The new one has more meat on the bone in appearance and feel. I realize there is a lot of hand work and the bows will always vary. I'm wondering if Bear made some design changes or if it is just a normal variance. The limbs are wider on the newer one and have less rounding off or trapping on the edges. I don't know how limbs are sanded and adjusted on laminated bow. But it appears as if there is a wider limb design? The edges are more like all the custom bows that I have had. The grips is fuller. I think the new one possibly has better shooting properties. Smoother draw and less shock? I only shot it a dozen times. But I don't care for the fuller grip. The grip on my older one is really small, I got used to it that way.
The limbs width on the 2015 (http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p714/tas0323/Mobile%20Uploads/738E3696-9D0E-46F6-A045-ACE3818B9505_zpsozruxm0k.jpg)
Limb width on the 2016 (http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p714/tas0323/Mobile%20Uploads/A47B335E-0299-40DC-BD8B-C78A0956C679_zpsizvktkdm.jpg)
Grips (http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p714/tas0323/Mobile%20Uploads/A3556B59-942A-47C6-A8AF-F86F878711F1_zpsaaj5leaz.jpg)
There are a few Kodiaks at a nearby store and there is some variance between bows. I think that it's normal.
A large sporting goods store in Michigan had about 20 of them on the rack and there wasn't two in the bunch that were the same. Small throat, big throat, fat grip, skinny grip, wide limbs, narrow limbs. Hand made and all different.
I have a 2016 model with that much variance between the width of the top and bottom limb, and no I'm not joking. I will post pics tomorrow.
The bow shoots great, but it looks like, well you know.
I sent Neil Bryce a text and mentioned that and the poor excuse for a string that was included with the bow. Got no reply.
Did I mention the bow shoots great? I guess that's all that matters.
Narrower limbs they are reducing weight. One limb narrower than the other, bow stung up first time out of tiller a considerable amount and one limb was reduced to even out the bow .
I see the variance in grip dimensions with my two Blacktails too. The older one, around 12 years old I guess, built by Norm himself has a more compact grip. The newer one was built in the new facility in Indiana and has a fuller grip. It feels pretty good, I might like to have a little meat removed at some point, but I'm having to much fun with it to send it in. I haven't noticed any difference in limb widths, but I haven't measured it and can't see a difference with the naked eye, so I'm good.
QuoteOriginally posted by Tim Finley:
Narrower limbs they are reducing weight. One limb narrower than the other, bow stung up first time out of tiller a considerable amount and one limb was reduced to even out the bow .
Yeah, I know why it was done, but it's still the result of poor craftsmanship. Same with not wrapping the back of the shelf with fiberglass, tip overlays that are slid to one side, flemish twists strings that aren't twisted at all, and grips that are so different they could be from 2 different bow models.
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa277/DUCK_TRAP/7479421C-0EE8-4D52-95C3-E0DACEC18C1E.jpg) (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/DUCK_TRAP/media/7479421C-0EE8-4D52-95C3-E0DACEC18C1E.jpg.html)
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa277/DUCK_TRAP/E462C4CA-1AF9-40D3-9D6D-4BC99D8EF1FA.jpg) (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/DUCK_TRAP/media/E462C4CA-1AF9-40D3-9D6D-4BC99D8EF1FA.jpg.html)
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa277/DUCK_TRAP/2A949FA7-55D9-400F-87C4-53585D5B91C3.jpg) (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/DUCK_TRAP/media/2A949FA7-55D9-400F-87C4-53585D5B91C3.jpg.html)
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa277/DUCK_TRAP/36D2126E-EE15-4C8B-AB0F-236583E59735.jpg) (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/DUCK_TRAP/media/36D2126E-EE15-4C8B-AB0F-236583E59735.jpg.html)
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa277/DUCK_TRAP/3E0A07BF-0B76-47D0-B783-FD544659975D.jpg) (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/DUCK_TRAP/media/3E0A07BF-0B76-47D0-B783-FD544659975D.jpg.html)
Variations? I don't think so.
I'd call it poor workmanship and quality control and a "who gives a crap as long as they sell" attitude.
oh wow, I have always loved the 59 model and have always planned on getting a new repro one of these days, but this makes me think i will need to pick out the bow in person.
Trap they are some beautiful bows though love the risers and brown glass hmmm. Might have to check one of these out in person though I like a skinny grip I took my go to take down kodiak to the sander because it was to fat now that she lost the inches in the waist line I'm happy camper. Think I got 6 or 7 deer with her so far.
Oh I get your complaint on that same take down I had to grind down the riser glass so there was no gap where the glue was letting loose. And the first set off limbs got sent back for a replacement set All good since then though LOL. Bear needs to up the Quality control I'm in manufacturing for a living it's not that hard to implement. Small changes make a huge difference in product and in customer service satisfaction.
The newer Bear stuff has been hit or miss for me, QC is a joke. I've had quiver bushings fall out, quiver bushing holes ragged with splinters coming off, tips rough cut/ jagged nock grooves. My latest Bear is a 2014 KMAG and it recently started delaminating at the fade, I filled it with Superglue and luckily it hasnt blown up yet. I refuse to pay full price for them or MSRP, it would be a rip off. They are only worth bothering with at generously discounted sale prices, but preferably just bought used. If I were going to spend full price on a production bow I'd sooner a Bearpaw/Bodnik bow.
That's really disappointing to hear. I don't think I've ever seen a new Bear bow, only vintage versions. Workmanship on those generally seem pretty good.
The fade outs on some of the new 59s are pretty rough as seen on your Purple Heart bow on the left.
I have to say that of the 3 59s I have had, two were absolutely perfect and as well made as customs. And there are no flaws in the newest one. Just different.