Hi there,
Recently i found my local tackle shop selling some old model budget okuma reels. Primarily the Okuma Centrific. One site label it as "vintage", and that surprises me. What do people consider vintage? Since it is going cheap, i will most probably buy it tomorrow to experiment and practice servicing reels.
Does anyone has the reel schematics of this reel? How come a reel at such a low price from Okuma can have 6 bearings in it? To be honest, i am buying it for the bearing count.
"vintage" usually refers to the year or period something was made such as a wine. When it is used to refer to something old, there isn't any real reference point. For me, I would classify something like a fishing reel to be "vintage" if it was at least 40 or 50 years old.
Quote from: conchydong on December 02, 2018, 01:07:16 PM
"vintage" usually refers to the year or period something was made such as a wine. When it is used to refer to something old, there isn't any real reference point. For me, I would classify something like a fishing reel to be "vintage" if it was at least 40 or 50 years old.
How do i know its age?
Quote from: Reel Beaker on December 02, 2018, 01:10:48 PM
Quote from: conchydong on December 02, 2018, 01:07:16 PM
"vintage" usually refers to the year or period something was made such as a wine. When it is used to refer to something old, there isn't any real reference point. For me, I would classify something like a fishing reel to be "vintage" if it was at least 40 or 50 years old.
How do i know its age?
That's part of what this hobby is about! You look at old advertisements and catalogs, talk to people here with additional information, and figure out how old the reel most likely is. Usually, it comes down to a range of a few years unless there is some special feature that can narrow it down further.
"Vintage", like "rare", has different meanings to different people.
about 10 yrs. ago, you couldn't spit on eBay without hitting a Centrific
got one in a lot w/ other reels -- felt nice, 'til the clutch housing crumbled
pretty sure Centrific was made by Okuma as OEM for someone else (Dick's Sporting Goods?)
not up to usual standards; full of cheap plastic; no spare parts or support from Okuma
if it's really dirt-cheap, buy several in same size -- you may need them for parts... SOON!
Quote from: philaroman on December 02, 2018, 02:13:16 PM
about 10 yrs. ago, you couldn't spit on eBay without hitting a Centrific
got one in a lot w/ other reels -- felt nice, 'til the clutch housing crumbled
pretty sure Centrific was made by Okuma as OEM for someone else (Dick's Sporting Goods?)
not up to usual standards; no spare parts or support from Okuma
if it's really dirt-cheap, buy several in same size -- you may need them for parts... SOON!
The centrific is a bad reel?
all affordable "Dick's Exclusive" models are bad reels w/ good names... full of cheap plastic
Quote from: philaroman on December 02, 2018, 02:42:07 PM
all affordable "Dick's Exclusive" models are bad reels w/ good names... full of cheap plastic
Oh! I thought anything with a good brand name has some quality behind it. x.x
Apparently i was wrong x.x
Most current Okuma reels are excellent reels. But before Okuma did a major restructuring a decade or so ago, they were extremely low quality. Extremely.
Quote from: akfish on December 02, 2018, 04:59:23 PM
Most current Okuma reels are excellent reels. But before Okuma did a major restructuring a decade or so ago, they were extremely low quality. Extremely.
So vintage Okuma reels are actually bad?
Quote from: Reel Beaker on December 02, 2018, 05:36:53 PM
Quote from: akfish on December 02, 2018, 04:59:23 PM
Most current Okuma reels are excellent reels. But before Okuma did a major restructuring a decade or so ago, they were extremely low quality. Extremely.
So vintage Okuma reels are actually bad?
Only if you want to fish them...otherwise they look great on a shelf. IMO
😁😁😁
Best,
Fred
Too many sellers consider "vintage" to be a label for used up trash.
I consider anything pre-1970 as vintage.
To me "vintage" refers to an era when quality existed for some given product, such as wine, like conchydong said. Todays better Okuma reels may someday be vintage fishing products, as all companies tend to rise and fall in capitalization and quality of production.
Overall, for me vintage is many of the better reels produced by the name brand companies pre-1985. They have more steel and rubber, less plastic and composites. Sometime in the future, I think my recently produced Accurate and Avet conventionals, and my Shimano FJ Stratic spinners will be vintage.
Quote from: Reel Beaker on December 02, 2018, 01:10:48 PM
Quote from: conchydong on December 02, 2018, 01:07:16 PM
"vintage" usually refers to the year or period something was made such as a wine. When it is used to refer to something old, there isn't any real reference point. For me, I would classify something like a fishing reel to be "vintage" if it was at least 40 or 50 years old.
How do i know its age?
I guess I am vintage then. Not sure if that is a good thing.
Quote from: grekim on December 02, 2018, 08:59:18 PM
Quote from: Reel Beaker on December 02, 2018, 01:10:48 PM
Quote from: conchydong on December 02, 2018, 01:07:16 PM
"vintage" usually refers to the year or period something was made such as a wine. When it is used to refer to something old, there isn't any real reference point. For me, I would classify something like a fishing reel to be "vintage" if it was at least 40 or 50 years old.
How do i know its age?
I guess I am vintage then. Not sure if that is a good thing.
Vintage men and vintage reels equals Boys with toys...
Hmmmm. Year of birth:1957. The '57 Chevy, T-Bird and Stingray... Elvis, Buddy Holly, James Dean, Spuntnick, the Leave It To Beaver show.
Reels? I've got a mostly complete Jigmaster collection, but that was probably just an idea in '57(i.e., renew the Long Beach 259 Live Bait Caster) as they came out in '58 or '59.
Ha! Sid, Gfish and Grekim all touched on salient points - Firstly: One mans "vintage" is another mans "I remember when they started to make those". I suspect it has a lot to do with who is in the conversation. When I was much younger, I don't think Okuma existed and I don't recall seeing them much before the late 90's, so to me there are still "new on the scene" and I would never use the phrase "vintage". But that does not necessarily mean it's a bad thing. Newer stuff generally incorporates lessons learned/new technology, so when properly built is most likely to be an improvement. Secondly: In the sellers market of used anything (reels, rods, cars, tools, any widget you can name) I suspect "Vintage" is a meaningless term that translates to "bump the price by 30% because it looks old". The opposite of this is when you are selling basically the same old product, change the color, pretty up the labeling and use the term "New and Improved". Thirdly: I have NO experience with Okuma. I will say that there are landings/boats in SoCal that swear by their products and use them as rentals/loaners, but I am in no way, shape, or form qualified to discuss their quality or history. Fourth: The good news is that on this forum, there ARE people the know the workings and history of these reels inside and out, so you have a great knowledge resource here BUT: always rely on your own experience and instincts - if you are happy with what you are working with, satisfied with your financial investment, and it's working good for you in your situation - then if anybody else says it's "less than good" that really doesn't matter, does it?
Blue jeans become vintage within ten years. It generally takes almost fifty years for furniture to be considered vintage by furniture aficionados.
To me, vintage just means out of style or old fashioned.
I'm with Brewcrafter. How could an Okuma be vintage? Seems like they just appeared yesterday.
-steve
I have a little Aveon 20 (11BB original -- not the later cheapened incarnation), which was their top model before V-System... rather like the old-style fat body better (room to work ;) ) & V-System DFD spools adapt easily
that's arguably "vintage" as Okuma's go & quite good for the last decade (albeit, slightly ridiculous)
got rid of same reel in 15-size (grossly ridiculous & developed significant side-to-side handle play, after only 2 yrs.)
Vintage to me, since its meaning has no specific time line, era or age requirement, simply means nostalgic, some thing that brings back, generally but not always, fond memories.
Antique is specific @ 100 years.
Now collectible is a completely different animal. I've seen junk reels that I would never attach to a rod or ever fish with demand exorbitant $ just because they are so rare. ::)
My dad had a habit of collecting things that were "heavily made". He would use a gear weighing several pounds for a pen holder. Or, buy a coffee grinder that weighed over a hundred pounds, typewriters, etc. So, I get some of it from him. I am increasingly appreciative and amazed by the quality of old tools and machines, and even craftsmanship of old buildings and boats. So, when you can give the old designs new life with restoration, it is very satisfying.
mmm... i decided to take some of the advice here and skip the okuma centrific. Instead i bought the first gen Okuma Avenger. Anyone used any of these? Is the first gen Okuma Avenger fishable? If yes maybe i will get more of those since they are going cheap. Is the first gen okuma Avenger considered vintage?
Not even close.
From the Okuma website. I wouldn't consider any of their fishing rods and reels "vintage" as they began in 1986.
OKUMA FISHING's Fishing Rods and Reels Manufacturing
Based in Taiwan, OKUMA FISHING TACKLE CO., LTD. is a fishing rods and reels manufacturer in sporting goods industry.
Quality and affordable fishing equipment - such as Fly Rods, Float Rods, and Spinning Rods; fishing reels including Spinning, Baitcast, Trolling, and Fly reels, they are all made with advanced materials and dynamic designs, since 1986.
OKUMA FISHING's fishing tackle is your best choice for freshwater and saltwater fishing. With over 31 years of fishing equipment experience, OKUMA FISHING delivers excellent quality fishing rods and reels in order to meet each customer's demands.
Starting to feel that this thread is kinda depressing. Wondering if me taking time and effort to learn about servicing my reels is in naught if my reels are gonna be considered "vintage" or just a nicer way of saying "used trash" in the future.
Maybe when i become "vintage" i will start to look back at wonder why i did silly things/mistakes in the past.
Quote from: Reel Beaker on December 04, 2018, 11:29:29 PM
Starting to feel that this thread is kinda depressing. Wondering if me taking time and effort to learn about servicing my reels is in naught if my reels are gonna be considered "vintage" or just a nicer way of saying "used trash" in the future.
Maybe when i become "vintage" i will start to look back at wonder why i did silly things/mistakes in the past.
There is nothing wrong with trying to service a "lesser" reel. I think most are saying that it wouldn't be wise to invest a lot of money in it because the reel you referenced is not what most would call "vintage". If you read through the threads here, you will see that a lot of folks invest quite a bit of time and money into true vintage reels that may never even be used for fishing again.
Don't give up and let us know how things work out.
ps I, myself, am not really a reel "hot rodder" or collector. I joined this site just to be able to service my stock reels and make a few minor upgrades so In wouldn't have to pay somebody else to do it.
Scott
Nah, just wondering at times if it is sometimes worth the time/effort as human lives has a limited amount of time. Sometimes i wish there were 25 hours a day instead of 24. Maybe..... i m getting old......
Hi reel beaker, dont get disolutioned, we all learn as we go, I get out of bed in the morning & say to myself, what a great day it is, I am going to try & learn something new today, the same as I do everyday, My two bobs worth for vintage, is first generation reels, Know matter what make it is, with Senators first gen is when the winding arm is in the 5am posiction, or there abouts, all models have a first gen, depending on how old you live, hang in there man, your doing good, good luck, cheers Don.
It's only vintage if you say it's vintage, but don't disparage vintage stuff. Sometimes you have to get vintage equipment in order to have the required performance and dependability for the task at hand. In the end, it is all about catching fish and increasing your chance of success by finding and having just the right equipment.
-steve
Just look at it as entertainment when you're not fishing, taking something and making it better or something most would look at it as junk and make it useful.Time on earth is limited, if you enjoy tinkering with reels it's time well spent.
Heck, Reel Beaker, I've got hundreds of reels of my own I've broken down, repaired, serviced & put back together. Some I use, some sit on the shelf to look at or maybe even use someday down the road by me or possibly someone else. If I counted my time as worth anything at all it would be cheaper to by a new reel instead but the whole idea, for me at least, is to do something I enjoy and save a buck or two while I'm at it. There is something mentally and emotionally fulfilling about taking an old relic and making it useful again.
Interesting stuff. I'mina redefine vintage for myself by adding "what was popular" instead of just what was high quality(IMO), for some bygone era. Maybe "unique" too. So the Okuma Centrific is vintage-noteworthy because of it's cheapness and popularity. The present day Diawa Sweepfire comes to mind as a future vintage reel.