Brace height 51 Kokiak

guzzi2000 · February 04, 2009, 03:40:00 PM

I just picked up a 1951 static Kodiak and was wondering what the brace height should be?

Bjorn · February 04, 2009, 05:20:00 PM

Depending on the length anywhere from 7 1/4 to 7 3/4 has worked for me. Use a heavier than normal arrow, most of the statics buck a bit more than recurves.

guzzi2000 · February 04, 2009, 05:48:00 PM

Thanks Bjorn. I tried shooting it and it was really fast. I only had some 2016's because I usually shoot around 50 to 53 pound bows. They flew ok, but the jump in poundage was a little different, the Kodiak is 61#@28. All in all it's a pretty cool bow.

alaskabowhunter · February 04, 2009, 06:19:00 PM

is a k-4 a 64" bow? I put a string off a 64" Kodiak and the brace height was only about 6". I tried a 62" string and it was obviously too short so I didn't even try to string it up.

guzzi2000 · February 04, 2009, 08:08:00 PM

The k-4 is a 64 inch.

Blackhawk · February 05, 2009, 12:36:00 PM

Hey, I thought the 51 Kodiaks had the aluminum under the glass and they were not to be shot. :confused:

Obviously, you guys must know better...so where am I going wrong here? :rolleyes:

alaskabowhunter · February 05, 2009, 12:45:00 PM

Blackhawk- I agree with you regarding shooting an aluminum laminated static. I was stringing up a 1953 model myself, just wanted to see how they shoot. I always thought the profile of the static tips were kinda ugly until they are strung up then they are a little sweeter eye-candy.

guzzi2000 · February 05, 2009, 01:07:00 PM

According to what I have read Bear stopped making the static with the aluminum lam mid 1951.

guzzi2000 · February 05, 2009, 01:14:00 PM

The guy I got the bow from said the original owner was a refuge manager in Alaska and that the bow had been issued to him. There is still a
piece of tape with Refuge Manager printed on it.
Like any story that is passed on this one could
be total bs.

Bjorn · February 06, 2009, 01:07:00 AM

I have shot two 1951 Kodiaks with the aluminum and 2 Grizzlies, just to experience it-they shot fine; but I only put a few arrows through each-except a Grizzly that I shot all summer. For me, the issue was more of metal fatigue..........after a while the bow took a set-just like a self bow; and that can start to happen anytime. So buyer beware should you decide to shoot one. I have heard lots about the de-lams but never experienced it personally; so I agree with not shooting alu bows, just a different reason.
Chuck is right 7" brace for a 64" bow-just measured it too.

Horney Toad · February 06, 2009, 02:17:00 AM

I bought a 1950 kodiak and shot it about 100 times. My buddy told me the next day not to shoot it! LOL. Guzzi, is yours an aluminum lam?

guzzi2000 · February 06, 2009, 06:13:00 AM

Mine doesn't appear to have the aluminum lam. According to Bjorn the metal lam is quite noticible.

Bjorn · February 06, 2009, 04:37:00 PM

Here is what to look for:

Again

Pretty easy to spot. The yellow color is the Fullerplast ageing. When new the color was silver.

Bjorn · February 06, 2009, 04:40:00 PM

Love the look and the belly wood-too bad it was not a good combo.
Aluminum lams in downhill skis lost their flex after about 125 days.