2019 review of Bear Kodiak Take Down TD bow
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ต.ค. 2024
- Standard (no special edition) Bear Kodiak Take Down Lefthand A-riser and #1 limbs (56" at 28" draw height and 50# draw weight)
the very first COMPLETE review of this famous bow produced for more than 40 year without big changes
evaluation:
very compact packing volume
fast assembly without any tool needed
nice shooting charateristics
elegant design
partly poor quality, especially the limb-riser connection in the latches and the fixing of the bushings
unclear information if usable with fastflight strings (Bear Archery says "yes if manufactured after the year 2000, but with higher abrasion", but does not specify what "higher abrasion" means), so better use Dacron only!
just one (!) year warranty
extremely expencive
not latest state of the art (like e.g. Hybrid bows)
very poor customer service (not answering e-mails, very little willingness to solve problems quickly and unbureaucraticly)
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Dear Jerry!
I am a carpenter for many years, so believe me it was NOT the length of the screw!
However, the screw was sent with the bow, so fo rthis price I expect a propper equipment from the manufacturer as well as an experienced reseller like 3 Rivers, but once again, it was not the screw!
In the meantime I am very happy with my Bodnik bow, although I am still a bit sad cancelling my dream of the Kodiak TD after decades dreaming of it, but I found my bow I am happy with and this I think is the most important, isn't it?
And everbodu else who feels satisfied with any other modell or manufacturer...fine for them!
We are no more living in times of the inquisition (although I am doubting it sometimes) and everybody is free to find his/ her "dream bow".
Just received mine directly from Bear Archery here in Florida today. To be honest mine is absolutely perfect and I had no idea it would shoot this well. I really hope they settle your dispute for u. You deserve a great one!
I accidentally posted this comment as a response to the post below. I meant for it to stand alone. Here it is. Don't worry about the loose limb fit. As you note, a little mole skin will snug it up. Regardless, when the bow is strung, the limbs will set into place and shoot well. You made a mistake with the quiver inserts. Pulling out like that is caused by using a mounting screw that is too long. It bottoms out in the screw hole and pulls the quiver insert out of the riser. I've seen that occur on many bows. It is the fault of the owner, not the bow. I've been shooting those red/black tip limbs with low stretch strings for several years with no problems. For that matter, I'm shooting 50 year old limbs with low stretch strings as well, with no problems. The limb tip overlays on all Bear limbs are plenty strong to handle low stretch strings IMO.
Hi, I was thinking to buy this model, but, seeing your testimony, and reading most of the comments, down below, I turned around , and walked away from this idea, thanks for your honest review, and wishing you good luck in solving your grievance with BEAR ARCHERY.
Glad I saw this I was on the verge of buying one
Hopefully I could help you a bit...I am still sad about the current qualtity of my "dream bow" for the last 35 years, but I had to forget about it. Do you know what was 3 Rivers Archery´s comment? "Your (mine) bow was just a standard edition and not a special edition as we reviewed"...what the hell!!! 950$ value a minimum of quality, isn´t it?
My next bow will be a Bodnik Signature Stick Break Down (almost like the Quick Stick, but even better material and the Break Down option) after shifting around between this bow and the Shrew also made by Bodnik coming with 30 years UNLIMITED warranty
@@mscforester5541 I have just bought the Bodnik quick stick .Beautifull little bow 30year warranty and £300.00 pounnds less
@@mscforester5541 you really received a LEMON man , hope you will sake the tree in order to get a decent quality replacement (same model) for your money , that would be the LEAST they could do if they want to keep their customers.....(incredible) YES Fred Bear is spinning in his grave....damn....!!
@@mscforester5541 Don't trust in the 30year warranty, it's just on paper. Changing ANYTHING on a Bodnik bow, even to make the shelf a bit more useful for you or changing something on the grip, and that's the end of the story. By the way the Signature stick isn't better than the common one, but totally overpriced. I owned the bow which was the pattern for the "Stick", and it came from the USA from Lone Wolf bows and was about 65#@29'' draw. Can't write more about here. I had so much bows that I forgot some ones, but best in quality (and also speed with arrows with 10gpp and more!) have been Black Widows. It's all about the string and setup. I had their longbows and all kind of recurves, quality was outstanding. Just sold them due to my severe shoulder injury. The Bear Take Down was always the bow of my childhood dreams. And it will be - now, after finishing the poor work of Bear Gainesville - my last one. I no longer go for bowhunting, although the 46# at my draw of 30'' also would do the job. Regards from Austria.
thanks for your comments...of course ALL KIND of warranty will disappear if they close the company, however, "30 years" reflects at least some trust in their work otherwise the archery community will roast them. and bear archery offers officially just 1 year LIMITED!
about the bow itself you might be right that it is quite an amount but i got a really attractive offer and as far as i met henry i trust in the face to face relation, so if i had something to change i'd hand it over to him.
according to the black widows i heart a lot about them, my only point is i want a no metall bow take down or break down while travelling a lot and with no need any additional tools...so there are not so many left.
what i saw while trying it i was very positively surprised!
well, at least everybody has to follow his feeling and be happy :-)
greetings to austria!
Thanks for this review, I too was about to pull the trigger on a new TD but what you have is truly unacceptable. I have a vintage A magnesium riser with #1 limbs at 47#s & it is amazing for it’s age. After seeing this I’d not spend that much for something with such a weak warranty. thanks again. 👍🏻👍🏻
seriously , they accept to sell that quality with THAT shitty warranty AT THE PRICE ?!
BANNED FOR LIFE FOR ME!
Thanks for the honest review 👍🏻
Strange. I bought mine in 2018, waiting 6 months but got a superb bow with no problems. No moves in limbs. Done for fast flight strings too. A pleasure to shoot.
i am happy for you and your luck! enjoy this bow which was my "dream bow" for decades! i found my pleasure with the bodnik signature bow and will not change it anymore.
Great honest review. Thank you Sir for the information.
Thanks for that review! I‘ve seen the link zo this video in the comments of another guys video, praising this bow. There, when i‘ve seen the cheap children compass i already thought this bow must be sketchy. I‘m about to buy a bow (my first one) in the next days and your video helps me to recognise possible flaws. I think, even a 200$ bow should have a tight fit and a longer warranty. I‘ve seen bows in that price range with 10-30 years of warranty...
Just got my Bear Kodiak takedown bow a couple of days ago.. I have the same /problem. The limbs wobble around and I'm going to have to insert some felts to stop this from happening. Not what I expected from such an expensive bow. Buyer beware- these bows are not deserving of the hype that people ascribe to them..
I am very sorry for you! I tried with felt too but the major problem is the movement on the vertical axes which easily lead to torsions and break of the limb...not only a pitty considering the bow but your own safety! And this you cannot stop with felt or leather...think about this and try to get rid of this bow as lon´g as you still can! I think with the lost of the last REAL bowyer Bear Archery just sails on the Fred bear reputation without any effort to keep up with it...very sad!
Anyway, I find my review far far below the others very positive reviews...do not know why but still holding up the Bear flag
I have contacted bear services and I have an email from them saying that to their knowledge they have received only 3/4 complaints re this fault and that any one who has a bow with this fault should contact them and they will replace it .
@@robertcrowther6134 AT LEAST ITS A MINIMUM , DAMN !!!
@@stevegaumont6726 man...
Bear archery has really dropped the ball on quality over the past few years. All of their old stuff is amazing. But i must say if papa bear seen the quality of bear bows today i must say he would be disappointed
thats what i was thinking the whole time they just went down after he died
@@jimmyraybeagle5815 who run bear archery now ??
@@stevegaumont6726 actually owned by escalade sports !! they dropped the ball on quality and rised the price !!
Got one a few months ago from 3Rivers. After about 2 weeks, the string ripped down through the upper limb while I was drawing a shot. Got replacement limbs - which then broke the string notch off in about 10 shots, sending the upper limb into my face. The limb/riser interface issue is no joke; I could just pull the limbs out when clicked in. Incredibly disappointed and frankly scared of this bow now.
Fast flight string is nasty stuff. Stick with old school B50 Dacron.
I just can't believe that samick can't make a exact duplicate of this bow, maybe even better quality and sell it for a third of the price.
Thanks for saving me £1k
You got what we call a lemon... It happens almost with every brand. An Iphone that doesn't work, my wife's 140k Porsche Cayenne that blew up after 25,000 miles.. I'd get on the phone with Bear until they switched this bow...
have you tried reversing the limbs may be the bottom limb is slightly different to the top
Yes, I tried. Firstly it was not posible, apparently the position of the screws are a bit different. And secondly I measured both, latch and limbs and could not find a difference which explains these severe problems...in the meantime I got a lot of comments from all over the world telling me that since Bear Archery was sold they lost their last REAL bowyer and the result you can see now!
In my case I was very happy to have activated PayPal customer protection service, so no problem to get back my money, and I have to say § Rivers Archery where I bought the bow were really helpfull in solving the problem, only at the end I did not see a real chance to solve this and in addition with just one f**ing year of warranty I finally was happy to get rid of it!
Just for your information:
I will get within the next 4-5 month a Bodnik Signature Stick Break Down, 56" with 50#@28" with 30 (!) years "all inclusive"-warranty and not just this "limited warranty thing" of Bear!
The other one I was thinking about was the Shrew...also made by Bodnik with its 30 year warranty!
Im glad i went the satori instead.
Glad I saw this
Looks like the top latch is missing the felt cover that holds the limb down tight. The lower side has the felt installed.
Thanks for the reply maybe stick with what I have for now .Good choice to go with Bodnick I had one of their Phantom bows .Just to give you a bow to maybe see you on .Look for the white feather lark riser from the archery shop in the UK or alternative archery stores.the riser is stunning and the quality is 2nd to none best of all is the price in UK it works out at £160.00 and the white feather limbs to match are £120.00 but you can buy the riser alone.I can personally recommend this riser it is the bow I use myself .Indeed when it is assembled it is uncannily like the Bear.I am putting a link in this message to another riser the Trad Tec Black magic riser.Watch the clip and believe me the white feather riser and the one in the clip are identical only the difference is in the price .I am sure the lark riser was a renamed Black magic riser done to sell them off far cheaper.If you can get one as I say they really are a fantastic riser .The American market is grabbing them .
th-cam.com/video/vY_KhkrgQM8/w-d-xo.html
Papa Bear never ever would have allowed any bow of this poor quality leaving the factory. That's a fact!
However, everybody is free to decide by its own, right?
So did I, so do you and so everybody else can do.
Lame. I was thinking about getting a Bear Takedown as other reviews said they were great and the top end of Takedown Recurve Bows, but that issue of the limbs not fitting snug in the pockets is a complete deal breaker.
Guess I'll stick with my Samick Sage. The limbs on that are rock solid in the pockets, and it costs an eighth of the price of the Bear.
A Bear one piece is an option, but I really like Takedowns. It's a shame they ruined a beautiful bow.
That's the bow... Sylvester stallone use in rambo v.... Nice😉
yep , but if its that finicky....thats REALLY SAD for $900.00 + Shipping !!! ....really overpriced for garbage piece !!!
@@stevegaumont6726 its seriously incredible that they sell this to high end customers for $900
like they have no shame , no conscience , no spirit!
@msc forester , how the story ended ? did they sent you a decent one or they completely ignored you ?!
I know its NOT a solution for a $900 bow (actually real market price should be $499.99 for a complete bow & limbs kit) , but did you tried to PLY the side of the metal bracket in order to get a more TIGHT tolerance between steel bracket & wood limbs ?
as i bought it via paypal i did not risk anything, particularly after reading that others changed several times limbs and riser without getting the problem solved, and sent it back using paypal buyers protection. so sad as i still like the design but with a bodnik signature stick break down bow i found a really good alternative...with 30 years warranty!!!
forgot to mention the lark is 19" as against the trad tech 17" both ILF another advantage
thanks for the link, yes, you are right, it looks really similar...just I am looking for a bow to assemble without tools, therefore I ended up with the Bodnik either Signature Stick or Shrew...well, the Signature offers a bit more options as it is a great bow for 3D as well as for hunting, let say from short distances up to 50-60m while the Shrew is a pure specialist for hunting...maybe it will become my second 50# in future...once I could have convinced my wife in another "just for fun investment" ;-)
by the way, in one of his shooting seminares Bodnik presented the quality of his bow by stepping on one limb and turning the bow until the other limb touched the ground and kept it some time in this position...NOT A SINGLE SCRATCH IN THE GLASS SURFACE and we shot it afterwards without any limitations!
Fred is turning in his grave
Hello friends!
Just for those who asked me how it ended up finally:
th-cam.com/video/fxQa1I_xoJo/w-d-xo.html
and always into the kill!
Don´t focus too much on my english...I was fighting very hard not to switch into spanish :-)
Bear Bows are overpriced, yes. I had a Super Kodiak with absolute poor Paint/ Laque finish..... little chips fell of during shooting ( on a lawn, not in the forest). I am very dissapointed with thos company. Also, just 1 year warranty... thats just poor. I stay now with european bow makers, such as "Isidor Bogenbau" ( custom bows) or bearpaw/bodnik.
Hey Euro Dude! When you string the bow the limbs no longer rattle or vibrate. I don’t care about any loose play in limb brackets when the bow is unstrung. Mine does the same.. I love my Kodiak TK and it’s to bad your review gave the bow a bad name and people who watched your video cancelled their order. Papa Bear would not be happy with you.
papa bear would cry in his tomb watching what is sold in his name and reputation nowadays!
if you are happy with this quality, nice for you and i don´t have any problem with that, but i expect much more from an almost 1000$ bow with not even 1 year full warranty!
I think its a fake from China
If it's not the quality control person needs to be fired NOW... I can't imagine Bear Archery seeing this video and not saying SEND IT BACK TO US RIGHT NOW!
Hallo MSC Forester. Ich hoffte, dass dieser Kelch an mir vorüber geht, aber...
Hello MSC Forester. Same happened to me. I bought this bow, because I was silly and sold my 2012 Bear Take Down (Black, A-Riser, #3 limbs),
which was perfect.
1.) Colour of riser and limbs didn't match. Riser was black, limbs were bright grey.
2.) Bottom limb was borderline, it had clearance, but not such severe.
3.) Top limb was horrible, same topic like in your clip. Clearance in all directions.
My bow merchant told me, Bear drastically increased the prices, and drastically decreased quality.
It took me about 6 hours of craftmanship to make this bow like it has to be. Shame on you, Bear Gainesville!
Fred Bear is turning over in his grave about the poor quality. You're just selling due to a famous name, a legend!
you mean you bought this exact model in 2012 wich was "perfect" but with non matching color & limbs / parts tolerance clearance in all directions ??
@@markhamilton3215 Hej Mark. No, you misunderstood me. The 2012 bow had matching colours and zero clearance. The new one was horrible. I had to grind off the lacquer to mordant the limbs, to do a paint job with high quality 2 - component Epoxy clear matte varnish und to reduce the clearances between lims and riser. Now it's also perfect, but I didn't expect to do a 6hours job on a bow in this price range. Regards from Austria (The small country in the middle of Europe where no Kangaroos are living :-)
probably too many archers extincted the kangaroos ;-P