I have one 109 & was curious which other models are "knuckle busters"? Why did they ever
Make them?
That's probably the only one for Penn. They were a little cheaper than a #9 as I recall. Most preferred the #9.
But, there is a lot to be said for fishing without an anti-reverse. You can thumb the spool to let out a few feet of line when needed or let a pecking fish run with the bait without having to gripe with the clutch lever.
The 249 is a knuckle buster, there's a few other older models too. It was a way to keep the price low
Quote from: Swami805 on July 01, 2024, 12:47:14 PMThe 249 is a knuckle buster, there's a few other older models too. It was a way to keep the price low
My friend every time we disagree I later realize I'm wrong. So I'm expecting more of the same here.
I just struggle to believe the lil brass dog, spring, and post were major cost drivers, or even moderate cost drivers (edit: by that I mean in the days when every reel was hand assembled, unlike now where adding a component that requires hand assembly to a machine-assembled reel is a very different story).
I think "knuckle buster" is often applied to direct drive reels, reels with a free spool clutch but no anti-reverse dog and reels with a switchable anti-reverse dog. I agree with Swami805 that cost was one factor. I'm sure simplicity of design appealed to a lot of folks also.
Squidders have switchable anti-reverse so do 49 and some 349 Mariners. In the case of Mariners a reason I read for having the switchable anti-reverse made sense to me. It allows paying out measured amounts of line to adjust bait depth when trolling with wire line.
Penn had several early direct drive reels. I read some people preferred direct drive for working fish out of dense cover.
I bought an Ocean City Inter-State, 998 I believe, at a Thrift store, all grimy, nasty looking, barely worked. Direct drive, all chrome over brass I think, green alum spool, levelwind, casting brake, clicker, spool bushings. Cleaned up beautifully. Weight without line - 8oz. Original finesse reels maybe?
With no AR system like the 109, assembly would be easier. The gears were 1:3.75—-pretty good for an old Penn—-but, the spool is relatively narrow in diameter. Having only a clicker for mechanical spool/handle slow-down means having to hold on to it to avoid missing strikes. I liked the Squidder with the AR on/off switch.
A levelwinder, a free spool clutch, a clicker, and NO anti-reverse, I don't know about a 109 with the cost savings, it doesn't seem worth it.
The 109 isn't a true knuckle buster. It does have adjustable drag. Hold onto the knob and let the drag work without handles spinning backwards
Majority of Penns early models were true knuckle busters. Very inexpensive to manufacture, and affordable for the average person during the depths of the great depression
109 has 2 bridge screws 9 has 4. I was looking at a Del Mar 285 but decided I rather narrow a 500 Jigmaster with better gear selection,any thoughts or concerns