Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Procedures => Topic started by: Cuttyhunker on May 21, 2020, 12:26:47 PM

Title: Wooden Handles
Post by: Cuttyhunker on May 21, 2020, 12:26:47 PM
This is 1bad350's shot of a first year Penn Long Beach he posted in the "Penn reels as you find them" thread.
The reel almost looks like the day it was boxed in 1933 except the handle.  I've seen this on other reels displayed in collections, everything cleaned, polished, and made spiffy except the handle.  I know some collectors love the patina and leave the old stuff "as found".  Is there any reason the old wood handles are ignored when the elbow grease is applied to the rest of the reel?
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: Rancanfish on May 21, 2020, 02:00:21 PM
Originality I would guess.  A difference between cleaning and restoring. But it could be refinished like new easily.  Purists would shrink in horror.
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: Ron Jones on May 21, 2020, 04:55:47 PM
Wood finishing is completely different then other aspects of cleaning up a reel. I know a few people that aren't interested in diving in.
The Man
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: 1badf350 on May 21, 2020, 05:01:59 PM
 Absolutely no refinishing was done to that reel. What you see is exactly how I received it. All I did was clean it.
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: Cuttyhunker on May 21, 2020, 07:45:02 PM
Chris,
Never said a word about refinishing the reel, just making it look all spiffy with the wood being pretty much left as is. I see that quite a bit at the shows and on some of the web and auction sites.  I'm guessing that cleaning the handle up would be avoided as it may, unlike the rest of the reel  be destructive in that "weak" paint may flake off in the process.  As the serious collector you are would you view a cleaned up "10" reel as being devalued by bringing the handle up to the level of the rest of that reel? 
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: oc1 on May 21, 2020, 08:03:12 PM
When you polish anything, be it metal, plastic or wood, material is being removed that can never be put back.  Luckily, there are no reel police so you are free to do what you wish.
-steve
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: 1badf350 on May 21, 2020, 10:41:42 PM
If there were, you would be the Chief.  ::)
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: 1badf350 on May 21, 2020, 10:54:22 PM
Bob,
I selectively chose the pics posted of that reel. In actuality its not perfect. Here are some close ups

Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: Crow on May 21, 2020, 11:22:31 PM
Yeah...maybe not "perfect", but pretty darn nice !! I look a hell of a lot worse that it does, and I'm not that old ! ;)
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: oc1 on May 22, 2020, 06:58:14 AM
Quote from: 1badf350 on May 21, 2020, 10:41:42 PM
If there were, you would be the Chief.  ::)

The issue of conservation versus restoration will never be resolved by collectors, curators, archivists and the like.  There is the same argument with everything from fine art to motorcycles and cathedrals to fishing reels.
-steve
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: AC49 on May 22, 2020, 09:52:23 AM
Quote from: oc1 on May 21, 2020, 08:03:12 PM
When you polish anything, be it metal, plastic or wood, material is being removed that can never be put back.  Luckily, there are no reel police so you are free to do what you wish.
-steve

Steve when a new Penn reel left the factory do you believe the chrome was polished ?
If so the removal of material started then. What we do is clean off the corrosion and give it a polish. This helps to possibly save a reel that would otherwise disintegrate into a pile of dust over time.

Regards
Alan
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: oc1 on May 22, 2020, 10:25:51 AM
Quote from: AC49 on May 22, 2020, 09:52:23 AM
Steve when a new Penn reel left the factory do you believe the chrome was polished ?
If so the removal of material started then. What we do is clean off the corrosion and give it a polish. This helps to possibly save a reel that would otherwise disintegrate into a pile of dust over time.
Regards
Alan
I think what you describe would be considered conservation Alan.  Stripping the paint off the handle and refinishing it would probably be considered restoration.  Replacing or re-plating the pitted posts would be restoration.

Since the relative merits of conservation versus restoration can never be resolved, some just punt and say it depends on the intent and situation.  If the intent is to have reels to study their construction, evolution, durability, etc. then you would want to conserve them to slow further deterioration but not modify, refinish or replace anything.  If the intent is to create an attractive display then restoration may be in order.

Personally, I think a well-worn and crusty old reel has a beauty of its own.
-steve
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: AC49 on May 22, 2020, 12:15:27 PM
Thanks Steve

Personally, I think a well-worn but conservatively restored old reel has the ultimate beauty – but as they say, beauty is in eye of the beer holder !!

;D ;D

Regards
Alan
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: Donnyboat on May 22, 2020, 12:29:37 PM
Yes I have seen some beautiful beers, till I dismantled them, cheer Don.
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: Crow on May 22, 2020, 01:12:21 PM
 :D
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: wfjord on May 22, 2020, 08:31:19 PM
Usage wear is part of the history of the reel in regards to wooden knobs. I guess heavy metal corrosion and from lack of maintenance and abuse damage is, too, but the wear on the knob is considered "honest" wear.  "Honest wear" is a term is see often in regards to all sorts of things vintage.

I think it would've been interesting if Penn had made a percentage of their conventionals with un-plated brass parts.  Aged brass develops some nice patinas and I'm assuming the external corrosion problem would be reduced considerably. In that case the issue might be whether to polish or not, but even if you did, a patina would eventually develop again.
Title: Re: Wooden Handles
Post by: oc1 on May 23, 2020, 12:00:24 AM
Quote from: wfjord on May 22, 2020, 08:31:19 PM
I think it would've been interesting if Penn had made a percentage of their conventionals with un-plated brass parts.  Aged brass develops some nice patinas and I'm assuming the external corrosion problem would be reduced considerably. In that case the issue might be whether to polish or not, but even if you did, a patina would eventually develop again.
Sometimes you will see a reel come by at the auction where someone has removed all the plating and left everything raw brass.  Not to be confused with the older reels that were made unplated.  Doesn't look half-bad if you're willing to keep up with it.
-steve