What year?

[basenjib123]

What year do you consider the end of the DQ classic reel era?

[Tiddlerbasher]

What year do you consider the end of the DQ classic reel era?

If you ask Fred, and others, that era has not ended

[foakes]

There are at least (9) series of DQ Reels that I personally consider worthwhile...

The originals from the early 50's & 60's -- SW68, 250, 265, 270, 275, 280, 285, 218, 228, 238, 248, 240, 245.

The next was the 110, 220, 221, 330, 331, 440, 550.

Next, 110N, 220N, 330N, 331N, 440N, 441N, 550N.

Then the Champion Series 1000, 1400, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000

Then 1001, 1401, 2001, 3001, 4001, 5001

Then the "Petticoat" '02 series.

Then the SLS series -- 1's & 2's

Then the Clipper series.

These were/are all very good reels -- other experts may have different opinions.

After the Clipper series in the late 80's -- DQ transitioned to plastic/graphite Asian reels.  While of decent quality for what they were -- could never have the bulletproof qualities of the previous 40 years.

There was another series in here that I omitted on purpose because of their poor quality reels .  These were the numbered plastic bodied reels ranging from about the 84 up to the 100 series. 

This is just from memory -- might have missed some.  However, these are decent years for the DQ's.

So basically -- 1950-1990 -- with metal bodies.

Best,

Fred

[Midway Tommy]

While Fred is the Dam Quick expert there are many that feel the "02"s were pretty much the end of Dam's quality.   

[foakes]

While Fred is the Dam Quick expert there are many that feel the "02"s were pretty much the end of Dam's quality.  

I used to feel the same way, Tommy --

Until I realized that a SL or Clipper series -- while not as good as the earlier series -- at their worst, were still three times as good as anything coming out of the astonishing reel mills of Asia.

The gears were not as good -- but they were still a quality reel, nonetheless.

The other top quality reel would have to be the (4) MDS series --

In the early 90's -- DAM was moving production to Asia -- from Germany.

The company allowed the engineers who were soon to be retired -- to come up with an ultimate set of (4) reels -- gold and black, Magnetic Drag System, and Solid and clever -- boxed in a wooden case.  No holds barred -- just the best reel they could envision.  An engineer's dream reel.  Limited number released -- These are likely the ultimate.

After this, pretty much all Tupperware plastic reels...

Best, Fred

[TJAndrews]

In the early 90's -- DAM was moving production to Asia -- from Germany.

Sadly, they are not alone in that regard. There are many companies that did the same, too many to list. Companies that once produced a high quality product, but no longer. Now they make an inferior product and sell it at a lesser price, while trading on a no-longer-deserved reputation. Some had to do it to survive an economic downturn, and some were purchased by others, as a result of a merger or a bankruptcy. The name may survive, but it's just not the same company.

[basenjib123]

Thanks for the replies.   Seems that most companies have gone the route of D.A.M. however,  Penn seems to have survived enough to at least resemble the company that they once were.  I realize Penn has also downgraded their quality but not to the degree of most companies.