Penn 117L

[Nuvole]

http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=preview_message&fn=Link&t=1&ssid=16491&id=33sopwb8geuw4unvhyjmv77k5vguz&id2=g4aqkr2q9vg4m3omq4j5p0sx8x67g&subscriber_id=avjjxcsrubsfsbzpblmgbcwxfvgnbcl&delivery_id=bfyhsxqmzuwfidohsmespchllzrcbog&messageversion_id=bioolsawqkbbafutwhavcxoxajjcbam&tid=3.QGs.TsjA.AlUk.E3Si..UAtS.b..l.Fs0.a.UBMlAA.UBMw-A.ncQZZw

Any reason why its so expensive?

[Dominick]

Big demand.

[George4741]

Some of the older ones sell for more than that on ebay.

[Alto Mare]

You're right George, but they're better .

[alantani]

$500?  that's gotta hurt.  i'd go with a large two speed at that point.

[Alto Mare]

No Alan, it's not $500 the cost is $499.95

[alantani]

wow, i feel better already!

[George4741]

You're right George, but they're better .

I imagine you mean the older ones are better.   I haven't compared the two, but I would agree.

[basto]

Anyone care to explain why the old ones are better?

[alantani]

because they cost less..... 

[basto]

Yes, I can understand that people like to think the one they own is the better, but I am genuinely interested if anyone has any facts.

[Alto Mare]

About that particular reel , No, I personally don't have any facts. But that's simply because I did not have the new one in my hand yet. If they're anything like everything else that they're coming out with  lately....stick with the older stuff. Just my opinion.

[George4741]

Any reason why its so expensive?

Yes, it's still made in USA.

[Makule]

Yes, I can understand that people like to think the one they own is the better, but I am genuinely interested if anyone has any facts.

Generally speaking, the older reels were "over engineered".  That is to say, they were often made with heavier gauge materials.  The capacity/strength of very large fish was not entirely well-known since relatively few were caught, hence, such tools were made to withstand perhaps more than needed.

The downside is that the materials and technology used were not always as good as what's available today.  Spools were three-piece brass, and definitely not a strong as the cast one-piece bronze spools.  Gears were hardened steel and, while strong, did rust.  Bushings were brass/bronze and did not have as high resistance to wear as BB.

On the third hand, machines used to make the reels were certainly not as advanced as they are today, and can achieve precision unmatched even by the very best machinists of old.

On the fourth hand, economic pressures were certainly relevant, but apparently did not dictate production as they seem to do today.  Factories such as Penn did not mass produce reels in the same manner that some foreign companies do today.  Each reel was handcrafted from start to finish, and that also means every person who looked at and/or touched the reel made quality checks (and there were lots of people who worked on a reel as part of the whole process).

On the fifth hand (you didn't know I had so many hands, did you), the workmanship and pride in their work were unmatched.  Americans took pride in what they did, machinists were exceptionally skilled, and the quality of the product came first.  Each reel was treated as an individual piece to be made as if it would be their own.  Machinists and assembly personnel believed that a poor product would reflect on them personally and took their jobs personally.  This single factor made up for shortcomings in materials and technology to a very large extent.  While it's impossible to go beyond the capabilities of the various materials, one was assured that each reel worked as it should, to it's maximum ability.  I doubt one could find a single "lemon" during Penn's earlier production years.

[redsetta]

Machinists and assembly personnel believed that a poor product would reflect on them personally and took their jobs personally.  This single factor made up for shortcomings in materials and technology to a very large extent.

Well said Albert.
Cheers, Justin