Trad Gang

Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: Ray Lyon on March 24, 2014, 02:30:00 PM

Title: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 24, 2014, 02:30:00 PM
Well, since I couldn't find the A handle I wanted from the 1970-72 era and Bear came out with the two tone riser for 2014, I went ahead and got myself a current version of history (thanks Big Jim Archery). On an interesting note, the serial number caught my eye!

Sorry about the overall picture quality, these were from my cell phone.

 (//%5Burl=http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/shrewshooter/media/SerialnumberBearAhandletakedown2014_zps95ba4683.jpg.html%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg617/shrewshooter/SerialnumberBearAhandletakedown2014_zps95ba4683.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]

 (//%5Burl=http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/shrewshooter/media/Bear2014Ahandletakedown_zpscc9949a6.jpg.html%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg617/shrewshooter/Bear2014Ahandletakedown_zpscc9949a6.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: eidsvolling on March 24, 2014, 07:06:00 PM
A true piece of art, in any era. What limb set(s) will you put on it?
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: vintage-bears on March 24, 2014, 07:25:00 PM
Enjoy!
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: smokin joe on March 24, 2014, 09:17:00 PM
That looks great. I am tempted to add one just like that to the collection. The new two-tone looks great.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 25, 2014, 08:26:00 AM
I'm starting out with a set of #1 limbs, 52# @ 28" making a 56" bow. I've got a few choices for turkeys this spring- this bow, a 56" Super Shrew Little Favorite, 56" Super Shrew Classic Hunter and a 60" 1971 Bear Super Kodiak.  Not to mention I've got a 60 inch 1958 Kodiak that's factory camo that would be ready made for the turkey woods.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Kelly on March 25, 2014, 10:41:00 AM
Mine is 01-010.  Absolutely a beautiful handle as well as my all Bubinga A handle.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 25, 2014, 11:13:00 AM
Kelly,

I liked those all Bubinga handles, but I was always intrigued by the two-tone riser. When I saw the first post of them being reintroduced on another thread a few months ago, I knew it was going to be added to the bow rack.  

Ray
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Owlgrowler on March 25, 2014, 12:55:00 PM
I got 01-002, how cool is that?

Haven't shot it much, but, I kind of look like a rookie with it because twice I've had the arrow fall off the shelf as I was drawing, haven't had that happen since I was 5!! And the coin fell out already, so I got to "personalize" it by reinstalling it at a slightly different position. Looks and feels great can't wait til fall.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 25, 2014, 02:01:00 PM
We've got 18 mph winds and snow falling!!!  Not exactly pleasant bow testing weather!!!   :banghead:
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: stagetek on March 25, 2014, 04:02:00 PM
I've always bought B handles. Never owned an A. Might just have to change that.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 25, 2014, 04:21:00 PM
Michael,
75% of the Bear Take-downs I've shot have been B handled. I did shoot an A handle from 1970 that was signed by Fred Bear (I watched him sign in 1980) and resides in a friends gun safe.  I also shot one of the first reintroduction A handles that came from 3 Rivers a few years back. The sight window is obviously shorter and this grip is a little more towards a medium than a low wrist of the B handles I've shot.  I don't mind the short sight window.  I was looking more for a 56 and a 60 inch bow combination than a 60 and 64 inch combination, thus the A handle.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: cmh on March 25, 2014, 06:31:00 PM
That's great looking.... Between this thread and the takedown thread above......  :)
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 26, 2014, 05:51:00 AM
Well I put a couple dozen arrows through the bow last night and was very impressed.  The bow was dead in  hand on the release as expected.  It really spit the arrows out--I was using some vintage Microflite #9 and some Sherwood tapered Douglas Fir arrows--both coming in at about rent grains per pound.  I didn't take time to do a nock point or put on silencers however the bow was surprisingly quiet without any.  I was using a 'whisper' string from Kustom King. I checked the brace before and after shooting and it was exactly 8 inches each time.  Even with other fast flight string materials I've had some stretching.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: stick33 on March 26, 2014, 01:20:00 PM
That's funny - I've got 01-003!    :)
  (http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/sticknstring33/2014_003_zps3aacc403.jpg)
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 26, 2014, 02:10:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by stick33:
That's funny - I've got 01-003!      :)  
 
That is funny. So it looks like all the cool people hang out here on Tradgang!    ;)
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: PrimitiveSniper66 on March 29, 2014, 09:16:00 AM
still waiting for my first A handle should be at the Footed shaft soon, I have 01-03 & 01-011 in the last years B model, already thinking about the the the B 2 tone so I have both the A & B , nice looking bows.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: damascusdave on March 30, 2014, 01:54:00 PM
I have 1960 Kodiaks with consecutive serial numbers that were bought new by the previous owner...just by luck I also know who has the next number to another 1960 Kodiak I own...you 3 should record each others information for future reference...who knows what might be collectable in the future

DDave
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: NIGEL01 on April 01, 2014, 01:45:00 PM
My new 2tone is a 01-013.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Elmer Keith on April 16, 2014, 03:16:00 AM
Do these newly made handels accept the old limbs from the 70s?
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on April 16, 2014, 08:47:00 AM
Elmer,

They're supposed to be universal, however I haven't tried an old set yet.  

Ray
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Kelly on April 16, 2014, 10:42:00 AM
Yes, old sets of limbs work on mine.