Does this sowbelly make me look old?

[Charles Ek]

#3130

Today I wandered around a large outdoor retailer where I formerly worked. The archery department is heavily into all things mechanical, but (mostly for the aura, I think) they stock a few traditional bows which they mostly ignore. And they let tired old boomers sell a few used bows on consignment.

They keep all these trad bows strung and hanging from the ceiling overhead, out of the way. Having nothing else to do while waiting for “another shopper” to finish elsewhere in the store, I strolled under the collection this afternoon,

At about number eight or nine, I came across a lonely orphan offered on consignment that cried out for a new home. It was a 1958 Bear Archery Kodiak, 60 inches long and drawing 58# at 28 inches, in the style known as a “sowbelly” because of the profile of the belly at the sight window. The condition was pretty close to breathtaking.

It essentially looked like it was shot for a year and then lovingly stored for the next 54 years. Straight-limbed and beautiful to behold. It seemingly never made contact with gravel or other evils in the world. There was only the tiniest hint of a single short longitudinal crack on the back. The grip was eminently usable and would only be replaced by an idiot who didn’t understand the nature of things. Nary a creak when drawn. The price was about one third of its actual value, perhaps even less.

The “other shopper” too quickly assented to its acquisition. (She thought I said “boat” first, and when she realized it was a “bow” her relief got the better of her …) It joins here a 1943 selfbow made for my dad and a similar selfbow that’s probably at least fifty years old. All three are shooters, and the newcomer will be used on a constant basis like the other two are already.

EDIT: Pics are now posted below.

[David Petersen]

#16867

Charlie — One doesn’t have to be old to appreciate vintage art. I mean, even as a young teenager I could appreciate Bridget Bardot, and she was WAY older than me. 😛 (Let’s not think about her now, as she hasn’t weathered as well as your new bow.) If I weren’t a charter member of the Coffey Club, I’d probably be shooting a ’60s vintage Bear Kodiak Magnum, the first really great really short bow, so far as I know. Good looks and good behavior, that’s all I ask of women or bows.

When you post pics, let’s see a shot of you shooting her, so that we can compare the two sowbellies. (As a typical “useless Elkheart trivia PS, the only place I know of where you can order sowbelly in a restaurant in the West today is Vernal, UT, not among my favorite places except that it’s on the way from here north to several of my favorite places. It’s basically big thick slabs of bacon, mostly fat, that hasn’t been smoked or otherwise cured.)

With apoligies to Smithhammer …

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#16955

David Petersen wrote:

With apoligies to Smithhammer …

No apologies needed, my friend. Laughing Monkey is open source. But his power should be used judiciously. 8)

Looking forward to pics of this bow!!

[Michael Scott]

#17461

Also looking forward to pictures of your newfound work of art. The old bows are beautiful. There are many talented bowyers in the world today, but I certainly like my 70’s Kodiak Magnum as much or more than I like my newer model Grizzly. I don’t know the year of the Grizzly, but I believe it’s around a 2000’s model.

[Charles Ek]

#17993

Threw a half-dozen arrows for a photo shoot. They hummed along noticeably faster than from my longbows, even in comparison to the one that is just three pounds lighter. Shoots nice and straight. Having started on a recurve as a kid (and foolishly lapsed), followed by taking up the longbow six years ago, it won’t be too tough to switch back and forth. A new string, a camo bow sock, and beware ye gobblers of the world in two weeks …

The pics:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#18000

Wow – that’s a helluva score! Beautiful bow!

[Charles Ek]

#18021

Smithhammer wrote: Wow – that’s a helluva score! Beautiful bow!

Thanks. From the little checking I’ve done, the condition is superior to similar ’58 Kodiaks that sold recently for two to four times what I paid for it. I’m going to try to get in touch with the consignment seller, to express my appreciation for the chance to own this bow.

For any who might wonder: IT’S NOT FOR SALE AND IT WON’T BE. (Just thought I’d get that out there …)

[Goraidh]

#18036

She’s a real beaut. Enjoy her.

[Brennan Herr]

#18146

great bow…enjoy!!!

[James Harvey]

#18308

That’s a beauty mate, great score!

[Wexbow]

#20016

Oh man I love it, such a cool vintage vibe off her. Enjoy!!!

[Charles Ek]

#45516

As pretty as that white glass is, it’s not very practical for hunting. (Which is undoubtedly why it had such a short tenure in the Bear hunting bow product line.) It was time to find something more appropriate to wear – camo limb socks, a new string with qiviut silencers, plus a Bear hair rest and plate.

It was a blast shooting stumps today, in one case literally as a judo point blew right through a stump, showering debris in its path. “I love the sound of stump thumpin’ in the morning.”

[Author]

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