I've noticed that curved handles are swept either forward or back. Penns seem to be swept forward but Pro Gears and Newells seem to be swept back. I've searched for the reasoning behind the curve or sweep and have not found a satisfactory answer. To be clear I'm not asking about off-set but the curve or dog-leg to a handle.
I appreciate the aesthetics of a curved handle but is there a logical engineering or ergonomics reason for this?...and if so, what purpose does the curve serve? I know this adds overall length to the handle but this length is on an arc so I don't see where it would add mechanical advantage. Because of the curve the grip is no further away from the center-line of the gear sleeve as that of a straight handle with the same center to center dimension.
The only reasoning I can conceive of is ergonomics are improved by adding a sweep. Does this curve keep us from banging our knuckles on the crank arm? This is based on my experience with a Penn off-set handle with only a very slight curve or sweep to it. This Penn handle has a rubber knob like a Baja Special and it also has an off-set. This handle also has holes (presumably for weight reduction) and the edges of the holes are very crisp and act like a cheese grater on my knuckles. This handle does have a very slight forward sweep to it but it still contacts my knuckles with every revolution. This leads me to wonder if the sweep or curve is supposed to help with knuckle clearance for big hands?...and if so; did Newell and Pro-Gear figure this out and decide that a rearward sweep provides even better clearance and ergonomics?
I've also noticed that most counter-balanced arms with sweeps curve forward or in the cranking direction so this leads me to believe that this is the correct or most logical direction for a handle to curve...then why do Pro-Gears and Newells sweep in the rearward direction while Penn handles sweep in the forward direction? I've noticed photos of member's reels with curved handles in either direction but the majority seem to sweep forward which seems more traditional and mare aesthetically pleasing but I know Carl Newell was brilliant and must have had a very good reason for choosing his rearward bend in his crank arm.
Any enlightenment and opinions will be appreciated.
-Mike
I've always thought that was the reasoning behind the outward curve, to allow more finger room on the spin.
I'm not sure of the rearward design reasoning.