What is this?

McDave · August 24, 2018, 03:11:32 PM

What can you tell me about this bow? A friend gave it to me, but he doesn't know anything about it. It is a static recurve, marked "Kodiak" but there is no Bear logo on the bow. Do you think it is a Bear bow? There are no markings on the bow other than what I photographed.

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DanielB89 · August 24, 2018, 03:17:19 PM

looks like a Kodiak K4 to me.

Didn't they just come re-introduce this model?

DanielB89 · August 24, 2018, 03:17:48 PM

https://beararchery.com/product/at86a06455r/

McDave · August 24, 2018, 03:23:40 PM

Yes, the serial number starts with K4, so that's probably what it is. Probably made in the early 50's?

DanielB89 · August 24, 2018, 03:49:37 PM

McDave,

i'm not sure of the dates. If I had to guess an age, I would guess.. old. haha.

I did remember them coming out again a couple of years ago. It is pretty awesome to see all the designs that bear came out with and how they're still around today. Pretty awesome!

Do you think it's safe to shoot?

McDave · August 24, 2018, 04:00:44 PM

It seems pretty well preserved. From the wear on the shelf, I would say it was shot a lot in its day. It didn't have a string on it, so I will have to make one. Would you have any idea what the brace height should be? I would guess about 7 1/2". My inclination is to go ahead and try to shoot it. Probably I will ease into full draw by partially drawing it more and more until (or if) I get to full draw. I don't think it had any sentimental value to the person who gave it to me; more like he was housecleaning.

Thanks for your help, Daniel. You really pinned this one down quickly!

tippit · August 24, 2018, 04:06:00 PM

Those are nice shooting bows. 1953 Bear Archery Catalog...

http://nebula.wsimg.com/be2244486d16c47dac69d2346c072606?AccessKeyId=A203C91555201A4407B4&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Pat B · August 24, 2018, 04:11:45 PM

Is it all wood?
If so and you plan to shoot it take it slow. Use a long string first and slowly, gradually work the limbs starting at only a few inches and work out to about brace height. Then brace it at low brace and let it sit for a while before coming to full brace, let it sit a while then slowly draw it, short draw first then slowly out to full draw, exercising the limbs as you go.
Some of the glue in these old bows gets brittle over the years so watch the glue lines, especially at the fades.

McDave · August 24, 2018, 04:34:53 PM

Tippit, that catalog alone was worth the price of admission! I'll save it with other bits of archery lore I've accumulated.

Pat, Tippit's catalog indicates that the bow has fiberglass on both back and belly, plus 2 lams from the fades to the static recurved tips, so it is evidently not all wood, although I plan to treat it as if it were, as you suggest.

Roy from Pa · August 24, 2018, 05:11:50 PM

Tippit, that catalog alone was worth the price of admission!

Yes it was.

Great prices too:)

MnFn · August 24, 2018, 05:59:44 PM

I had been given the bow that started archery in my family. My dad traded for a 65" recurve back in the very early 1960's, and it was used then.

I had LBR make a string for it. It shoots fine, not for me but that's another story.

mahantango · August 24, 2018, 08:48:55 PM

I've recently been playing with a '55 static tip Grizzly very similar to your K-4. Absolutely astounded me how well it shoots. So we'll in fact, that I'm refinishing it and will hunt with it this fall. Got to make up some old school Woodies to go with it.

trad_bowhunter1965 · August 25, 2018, 11:41:02 AM

McDave and tippit please stop you guys are going to get me trouble.

BowArkie · August 25, 2018, 12:30:57 PM

Wow, nice friend you have!

McDave · August 25, 2018, 01:24:02 PM

Quote from: BowArkie on August 25, 2018, 12:30:57 PM
Wow, nice friend you have!

Yes indeed!

tippit · August 25, 2018, 04:48:58 PM

I've been collecting old bows since the early 80's. It all started with collecting every year of the Bear Kodiak. I should have stopped then...but oh well that's another story. I've shot a couple deer with those old Kodiak statics.

Possum Head · August 25, 2018, 05:23:27 PM

That bow hasn't been around this long because it's junk! I say shoot away and report back. Very nice!

DanielB89 · August 29, 2018, 09:54:34 AM

Quote from: McDave on August 24, 2018, 04:00:44 PM
It seems pretty well preserved. From the wear on the shelf, I would say it was shot a lot in its day. It didn't have a string on it, so I will have to make one. Would you have any idea what the brace height should be? I would guess about 7 1/2". My inclination is to go ahead and try to shoot it. Probably I will ease into full draw by partially drawing it more and more until (or if) I get to full draw. I don't think it had any sentimental value to the person who gave it to me; more like he was housecleaning.

Thanks for your help, Daniel. You really pinned this one down quickly!

McDave,

it's complete luck I knew that. haha. I don't keep up with vintage bows much, but I knew i remembered seeing it in the last couple years.

Hope you're doing well.