Picked up a Penn 712Z at the flea market over the weekend. Good running little reel. Bail is sluggish on the return and could probably benefit from a new spring.
Anyway, what really caught my eyes was this numbering on the spool.
"14" painted on the top, once, and on the bottom is 14 three times; one painted, one labeled, and the other in tape.
What the heck?
Maybe somebody like Fred who has hundreds of Clients put the number on it so he could remember whose and which Reels it was .
Like the guy maybe had 20 Reels to service and Fred took em all apart at once to service them . This way each Reel would go back together with it's original spool...... ::)
Has 14 pound Test line on it .
Or the Guy who owned it was 14 when he got it . :d
it's the wrong answer to Life, the Universe and Everything
I feel like this is one of my less hair brained theories:
'Twas a test done by someone seeking a better way to identify their reels/spools. The test was to see which of the 4 ways to mark the dang thing was most likely to last
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on August 30, 2022, 08:07:21 PMI feel like this is one of my less hair brained theories:
'Twas a test done by someone seeking a better way to identify their reels/spools. The test was to see which of the 4 ways to mark the dang thing was most likely to last
There's some merit to that!
Looks almost like something I'd do to denote 14# test. I do that + date filled and sometimes line brand.
Is there a number on the reel itself (not necessarily matching)? Maybe inside the housing? If the number was just in one form I would have guessed that the reel had been owned by charter operator who kept a log of reel maintenance. I can't imagine that being a reason to put the numbers on two more times.
Quote from: Squidder Bidder on August 30, 2022, 08:41:09 PMIs there a number on the reel itself (not necessarily matching)? Maybe inside the housing? If the number was just in one form I would have guessed that the reel had been owned by charter operator who kept a log of reel maintenance. I can't imagine that being a reason to put the numbers on two more times.
Not that I have found.
Might be the Number of Fish that Got Away on that Reel
Quote from: Gfish on August 30, 2022, 08:28:19 PMLooks almost like something I'd do to denote 14# test. I do that + date filled and sometimes line brand.
I'm going with this simple answer, but will be entertaining to read all the other hairbrained ideas you guys come up with
(https://c.tenor.com/bnK8AbXH7k8AAAAM/fascinating-mr-spock.gif)
If you ask me , it is very obvious . But i too have to wait
Fourteen is the lowest even n for which the equation φ(x) = n has no solution, making it the first even nontotient, therefore putting the number on a spool makes perfect sense. I'm surprised everyone doesn't know that.
Dominick
OK. I'll step in it. It's spool #14. It was hung on the wall or kept in a parts box with other #'s. Maybe it lived and worked in a repair shop.
Minimum size for flounder/trout?
It is the IQ of the guy that uses it like this..........
(https://www.fieldandstream.com/uploads/2019/01/18/IXOY25UV2M2WYNVL2EKDR5224U.jpg)
Why 14 3 times on the back?
Approval by Our Gang is always a good start
O Tay The story is a young man fishes with his penn reel . He has a few spare spools with different sizes mono 10 pound 14 pound 20 pound . He labeled the spool that had 14 pound mono on a white tape tag . Years later it was time to re spool with fresh 14 pound and notices that he has a hard time seeing his old label,eye sight failing So he gets the old ladies red nail polish and blocks in 14 .
Now he can see this . More time passes eyes getting worse so now he resorts to the raised letter label maker , You know is like braille . Make seance ? :d
Thinkin bout it, 14lb. ain't as common as 12 or 15. Might be plain ol' spool number 14.
Quote from: Dominick on August 30, 2022, 11:07:00 PMFourteen is the lowest even n for which the equation φ(x) = n has no solution, making it the first even nontotient, therefore putting the number on a spool makes perfect sense. I'm surprised everyone doesn't know that.
Dominick
Brilliant! But is it a tribute to Euler for his mathematical contributions to reel design, or something deeper - perhaps a clue of some sort? Aren't totients used in the most common public key encryption protocol?...
This could explain a lot of things. I always suspected that spinning reels were the key to unlocking the secrets of the deep state. Why else would they exist? ;)
-J
Quote from: jurelometer on August 31, 2022, 07:32:45 PMQuote from: Dominick on August 30, 2022, 11:07:00 PMFourteen is the lowest even n for which the equation φ(x) = n has no solution, making it the first even nontotient, therefore putting the number on a spool makes perfect sense. I'm surprised everyone doesn't know that.
Dominick
Brilliant! But is it a tribute to Euler for his mathematical contributions to reel design, or something deeper - perhaps a clue of some sort? Aren't totients used in the most common public key encryption protocol?...
This could explain a lot of things. I always suspected that spinning reels were the key to unlocking the secrets of the deep state. Why else would they exist? ;)
-J
To cast when coincidentally facing a slight breeze?
Coincidentally (or not?!?!) my HS football number was 14, and I try to wear 14 when I play adult soccer.
Maybe this person was really superstitious and thought putting their lucky number on the spool would lead to more fish?
Enjoying all the "theories", BTW.
Quote from: Gfish on August 31, 2022, 02:30:27 PMThinkin bout it, 14lb. ain't as common as 12 or 15. Might be plain ol' spool number 14.
Well if you show me your Secret Squirrel Membership card than i can give you more information about 14 and 17 pound mono . The previous owner of this spool was in the know .
E5F29768-2538-471A-AE08-1C9D86A7DC20.jpeg I found this tonight on a 710Z.
😳
The plot thickens
Look around the insides of an old Euro spinner, especially a Bavarian brand, and I bet you will find something like this engraved in an inconspicuous place.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/11927-010922211017.jpeg)
-J
Stren mono used to come in 14# and 17#. I don't know if they still do, I haven't shopped for any Stren in decades.