Kovalovsky

[Makule]

Received "A Conversation With Oscar Kovalovsky" over the weekend and just skimmed through parts of it last night.  Interesting reading for those into reel design and history.

Of particular interest to me was a discussion about braking systems.  Kovalovsky states that there is an inherent problem with the way most reel brakes are designed.  I did not understand what he was describing, but it had something to do with the difference between the inner diameter and outer diameter of the drag disks.  Anyway, Arthur (Oscar's father) applied for and received a patent for the reel design, including the braking system (see http://www.google.com/patents/US2608359).  It's like a "reverse" drum brake on a car wherein instead of the brake pads pushing out and against the drum, the reel brake material clamps onto a rotor.  I am of the impression that disk brakes (which is akin to what most fishing reels brake have) are more efficient than drum brakes.  However, the braking system in Kovalovsky reels have been used successfully in stopping huge fish.  This braking system is truly unique in fishing reels.

Does anyone have a Kovalovsky ("standard") reel?  I'd really like to see the "innards".

OK stated that he and his father were more interested in designing and producing prototypes and "experimental" reels rather than mass producing any given reel.  During their life times, they built less than 1000 reels.  They also designed a reel seat, rod guide, extendable reel handle (standard with their reels), and a two-speed reel.  It seems the largest reel they made was a 22/0 (only one, custom built).  They also made fly reels, a 2/0, but most apparently were sizes 9/0 and larger.  Spools were made of either aluminum or SS.  Side plates ranged from aluminum, SS, plastic (I think only one made as a commemorative item for his father's 100th birthday).  Some reels were chrome plated, some gold plated, some anodized.

Fascinating reading.  I'd recommend the book to anyone interested in reel makers and reel making history.  Also has discussion about dealing with Zane Grey.  Good images of reels.

[Robert Janssen]

It is not my reel, but inside they look pretty much like the patent describes.





Picture Credit: Mike Cass of ORCA

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[erikpowell]

Ouch, that's an expensive read bro 

http://www.amazon.com/Conversation-Oscar-Kovalovsky-Century-Makers/dp/0981510272/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386058390&sr=8-1&keywords=A+Conversation+With+Oscar+Kovalovsky

Care to pass it on when you're finished ?   

[jurelometer]

Ouch, that's an expensive read bro 

http://www.amazon.com/Conversation-Oscar-Kovalovsky-Century-Makers/dp/0981510272/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386058390&sr=8-1&keywords=A+Conversation+With+Oscar+Kovalovsky

Care to pass it on when you're finished ?   

Paperback is cheaper.  Here is one link:http://www.whitefishpress.com/bookdetail.asp?book=80 (haven't ordered from Whitefish press before,so this is not a recommendation for this seller)

Kovalasky has some interesting patents.   Extendable handle,  dual mode ( locks the drag while the handle is cranked - still used in the Herschel fly reels under a different patent),  drag preset.

Not so sure about  the external shoe drum brake, at least compared to what is possible with other  designs using modern materials. I saw some photos with a star drag.  Did he switch or make some reels with a disc based drag system?