Where is the line between a fishable reel and a shelf queen?

[CincyDavid]

I'm curious to hear other people's takes on this. I have very few NIB reels, and the ones I have aren't anything rare or valuable, but I still feel funny about using them and scuffing them up when I already have similar reels with well-earned patina. What are your thoughts? How to you know "this is a reel I'm never going to use"?

[JasonGotaProblem]

You can tell it's a reel I'd never use because I passed on buying it. Exceptions would be some I own that are 100ish years old. Those will eventually be used for a display. And I definitely have fished one of them anyway.

[Brewcrafter]

All a matter of personal preference; different strokes/different folks.  Sure there are those "one of a few" and highly providence collector reels, and we have some very accomplished and knowledgeable collectors on this site (not my thing but I can respect it).  In my case I have old family reels that are worth absolute nil/bupkis but live on display for purely sentimental reasons.  If I had/acquired something NIB unused of an age, I would probably be extremely reluctant to use it especially when there are so many perfectly serviceable "users" of most models that are fairly affordable out there, but that's just me. - john

[jgp12000]

I have a nice penn 716  I use no box.I do try to baby it.I have a minty 714 in a box I will probably never use.

On the other hand I have a minty ambassadeur 1600 with box that I am
Glad I use because I would be missing out using too great a reel.

Being 63 now no time for shelfies only catching  fishies 

[jtwill98]

How to you know "this is a reel I'm never going to use"?

I think it comes down to one thought; "How would I feel if this reel stolen or lost as in pulled into the water by a fish while I was side-tracked. Can it be replaced, if lost. If not and I treasured the reel, like my Mitchell 300 MK.1, it's a shelf queen.  Otherwise, it's a fisher!

[CincyDavid]

"Being 63 now no time for shelfies only catching  fishies  "

I'm right behind ya...turning 60 later this year and trying to enjoy fishing while I can still tie knots, etc...arthritis is creating issues. This is part of what got me thinking about it...will the world really care if I fish that NIB Shakespeare 2860 President II?

[Gfish]

Worth, value, beauty, etc. is a personal thing.
Should I clean-up a classic oldie and display it, or keep using it? Should I leave it like I got it, patina and all, like some collectors do...? Should I look for an unused or slightly unused one? Should I decide what's a collector that's still relatively new(< 50years old) and not use it?
I try not to think of any market place monetary value or the opinions/definitions of others.

[MACflyer]

I like John's reply: "Can it be replaced, if lost." All my older reels are  pretty available, although I've seen the prices increase. All get used, some a lot more than others.

[Maxed Out]

Shelf queen is a modern day term that gives no relevence to why someone would collect things, that have significance to each person.

If a young adult inherited something that came from a great great uncle, that they never knew, would they have any emotional attraction...not likely. This would apply to any item, not just reels. Collectors of reels have a passion for them, and thier historical value that is more about preservation, than actual monetary value

What if your grandkids inherited a coin collection that came from your great grampa that they never knew. Im guessing they sell it without batting an eye, because no emotional attachment.

My wifes father passed his collection onto us, that came from his uncles that were born in late 1890's. My wife knew these uncles, but she knows her nephews are next in line to inherit the collection, would certainly sell it all. Its just a fact of life. 

[oldmanjoe]

  I do not believe in shelf queens .   All my reels were fished and will keep on fishing.  I and my brothers still take my grandfathers and uncles fishing rod and reel fishing from time to time .

[work2fish]

I don't have any reels that are strictly for collection or planned as shelf queens. I do, however, have several reels that are in new or almost new condition that I haven't used yet because I have other reels with similar functionality that are scratched and dinged, so I use those instead. I guess I could call the ones I haven't used yet de facto shelf queens, because I may never get around to using them :-)

[Benni3]

I have been wanting a k model reel for 10years to fish,,,I use a 706 all the time,,,I'm breaking in a bridge city,,,if you don't use the old stuff how do you know how good the new stuff is,,,,