1967 Super Kodiak

[arrows2000]

Why do they refer to the 1967 Super Kodiak (Phenolic) Riser & so called horns, a 1967 1/2 and not just a 1967.???

[johnnyrazorhead]

The solid black phenolic Super Kodiak was first officially introduced in the 1967 1/2 Bear Archery catalog.,along with the new Kodiak Hunter. That first year the Kodiak Hunter was a 58" bow,later years it was 60".  The 1967 1/2 Bear catalog is a thin catalog consisting of just bows if I'm not mistaken. Don't have one in front of me as I type this so I may be wrong. There may be some other items in it too but those two bows made their debut in the 1967 1/2 catalog.

[arrows2000]

I just recently acquired a Left Handed solid black Super Kodiak. It was heavily brush painted with camo paint. After about 7-8 hours of carefully removing the paint I uncovered the phenolic riser with black limbs.
Needless to say, even though I took care not to hurt the original finish, I wore through in a number of spots. I decided to remove the rest of the finish and give it a new look. It turned out very nice. Much better than the hand painted camo job. One nice looking bow. I wish I was Left Handed.

[zepnut]

I believe the Super Mag also came out at that time>

[johnnyrazorhead]

Hey Norm,
I believe the Super 48 was first shown in the 1966 catalog. I only know this because I recently acquired a real nice 66 Super 48 at Compton to show alongside of an Experimental one I also recently acquired from the same year. Beautiful bows all of them.

[Larry m]

How about some comparison pics John!

Always makes it a bit more interesting and fun to look at....

[Twitko]

Yes,
S48 was listed in 1966 catalog.
And SuperKodiak in 1967 1/2 and it was available in camo .. catalog reads "The new SK can be ordered camouflage painted for only $5.00 additional"

[zepnut]

I told you John I was getting old.

[johnnyrazorhead]

Not old Norm,
Us old Bear collectors can't remember every detail about what we've learned over the years.I just happened to be looking at bows from those years recently so it's fresh in my mind.Ask me tomorrow and I'll probably forget too! LOL

[johnnyrazorhead]

Alright Norm,
Just downloaded some pics from my camera to the computer to photobucket to Tradgang.What a pain!!!
Here's a production 1966 Super 48 along side another one I recently acquired from a friend.Not sure of the wood in the brown one.I've heard birch but was told by a former employee in R&D that they didn't use birch.Anyhow,a cool pair of Grayling era bows for sure.

[warpedarrow]

Johnny, that '66 is a beauty.  They must not have sold many of them.  I don't remember  seeing a photo of one until now, and come to think of it, I haven't looked at that year catalog either.

[johnnyrazorhead]

Brad,
The production bow is the all black phenolic one on the right.Is that the one you are talking about?The Super 48 from 1966-1969 all look pretty much the same. That brown one is a real looker too but unfortunately that's not the one Bear decided to go with that year.I have an EXP marked Tamerlane from 1966 made of the same wood.It's an absolutely gorgeous bow too.I'll try to post pics of that one too.There was a lot going on at Bear in 1966,and all throughout the 60's going by the bows I've seen.

[warpedarrow]

I have seen the phenolic bows come up for sale and have almost taken the plunge but just haven't yet.  I guess that I misunderstood.  I thought that you meant the wooden 48 was a production bow prior to the phenolic.  That will teach me to read instead of skim these posts.  They are both great looking bows but the wood one catches my eye the most.

[Twitko]

Johny, maybe I'm wrong, but S48 wood at your pics looks very similar like my 1968 Grizzly - Tigerwood
 

[mangonboat]

Lynn, were you the one that rescued that SuperK from the auction site? It looked like it had been painted with military surplus paint! That was a fun mystery, trying to guess what was underneath from the shape of the horns, the grip, the calf hair side plate and the hints of the stripe showing through. Post some photos of your rescued and refinished bow

[arrows2000]

Mark
I picked up the SK off Craig's List here in Minnesota.
Posting photos on Trad Gang has surpassed my abilities.
I gave up trying years ago. Kudos to those who have figured it out. I do enjoy seeing all the Vintage Bow Photos.

Serial no:
7Z2142  
60"
53#

[Ron Roehrick]

Lynn thats a great weight for some lefty.

[zepnut]

John,
The wood in your Super Mag looks similar to the wood in the Kodiak in the top photo.

[mangonboat]

A craigslist find! Even better! Makes me wish I had some trade bait, righty for lefty.

[johnnyrazorhead]

Beautiful bows Norm. Same era,1965-1967. I still think the wood in your bow looks different than my Super 48 and my Tamerlane. Yours has more of a natural wood grain to it. Mine do seem to have more of a laminated look to them . Just my opinion as I'm no wood expert.