Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => Smoothdrag.com => Topic started by: Hytekrednek on June 03, 2023, 12:19:46 AM

Title: dartanium?
Post by: Hytekrednek on June 03, 2023, 12:19:46 AM
I think that is what it is called, the drag material on some of my Shimano Calais reels...  How does this compare to the carbon fiber drag disc? I was under the immpression it was the best, but that was also 15 or 20 years ago for these reels. Anyway, I recall they bragged about the dartanium drags, best ever....
What is the truth?
Title: Re: dartanium?
Post by: day0ne on June 03, 2023, 12:29:38 AM
Carbontex is better, also Dartanium drag washers are very fragile and break easily. They never were very great. Just Google "dartanium drag vs carbontex".
Title: Re: dartanium?
Post by: Keta on June 03, 2023, 12:38:51 AM
Like a turd to a diamond.  Dartanium II is CF and good.
Title: Re: dartanium?
Post by: philaroman on June 03, 2023, 12:57:08 AM
works best with Athosium, Porthosium and Aramisium
Title: Re: dartanium?
Post by: Gfish on June 03, 2023, 12:57:48 AM
I had a Shimano TLD 15. It had an off-white Dartanium drag washer. Flipped my yak and bathed the reel for about 1/2 hr. Cleaned it out, but the drag never worked right and started to shred. Looked like some kinda canvas material. Cool name though.
If Dartanium11 is carbon fiber, it's prolly good stuff.






Title: Re: dartanium?
Post by: Keta on June 03, 2023, 12:59:23 AM
The white material was not Dartanium.  Dartanium II  is far better than felt or Dartanium.
Title: Re: dartanium?
Post by: ReelClean on June 03, 2023, 01:13:41 AM
Dartanium mk1 pits and discolors brass main gears horribly when salt water gets mixed in, I reckon it must be high in graphite and several other reactive elements.
I change them out as a matter of course.
cheers
Steve
Title: Re: dartanium?
Post by: Keta on June 03, 2023, 01:32:38 AM
And it leaved black crud everywhere.

In my opinion Dartanium was only good for one large fish. 
Title: Re: dartanium?
Post by: MarkT on June 03, 2023, 01:49:37 AM
The old Dartanium washers were often referred to as Craptanium! Dartanium II are woven carbon fiber and are fine.  My old Calcutta's and Curados now have greased Carbontex.
Title: Re: dartanium?
Post by: Swami805 on June 03, 2023, 02:11:39 AM
I thought dartanium was one of the 3 Musketeers



Title: Re: dartanium?
Post by: MarkT on June 03, 2023, 02:17:22 AM
Quote from: Swami805 on June 03, 2023, 02:11:39 AMI thought dartanium was one of the 3 Musketeers

He was the 5th one that we don't talk about.
Title: Re: dartanium?
Post by: Keta on June 03, 2023, 03:05:59 AM
The one that was light in his loafers.
Title: Re: dartanium?
Post by: Hytekrednek on June 06, 2023, 09:46:13 PM
thanks for the info guys. I will upgrade the drag disc next time I open the reels up for maintenance/lube
Title: Re: dartanium?
Post by: Lunker Larry on June 07, 2023, 01:52:45 AM
Dartanium got sticky.