American Made Spinning Reels?

[grampa1114]

Time to rotate my spinning reels.....I want to buy American.....Looks like Ardent is the only game in town.....Any suggestions?

[J Francho]

I haven't seen one in person, but the feature list for the S2500 at $99 is impressive. That "fishoflage" coating is a decal dip, I believe. Not sure how that'll hold up. The 3 year warranty is a big deal, though. Everybody has their preferences, but if you get through the warranty period with it, it won't owe you a thing.

[grampa1114]

Yeah....I'm just not sure I can live with the 'fishoflage' thing. There is the Forge as a choice in carbon fiber, but is that also made here?

[J Francho]

Here's what I wanted to see, to get a better picture: http://www.ardentreels.com/files/uploads/s_series_manual.pdf

Worm drive oscillation +

Oversize AR roller bearing +

Main gear bearings on both sides +

Bearing supported spool +

I'd say it's worth a look.

[0119]

According to their site, the only listed spinning reel is 30% off on CLOSEOUT. Sounds like they wont be offering it anymore, I'd call them and checkout what the deal is before you jump on one. Maybe something better is coming or they are slimming down their product line.

[grampa1114]

Yes those 1109 bearing look pretty stout as does the 1128 bearing in the middle. Solid design, but can I 'assume' the Forge and Edgewater are also home grown?

[J Francho]

According to their site, the only listed spinning reel is 30% off on CLOSEOUT. Sounds like they wont be offering it anymore, I'd call them and checkout what the deal is before you jump on one. Maybe something better is coming or they are slimming down their product line.

That's just the walleyeflage pattern. There's also the Evercast line. The Forge looks similar, though not quite the same. Can't find schematics for it.

http://www.ardentree...ex.asp?catId=36

[J Francho]

Yes those 1109 bearing look pretty stout as does the 1128 bearing in the middle. Solid design, but can I 'assume' the Forge and Edgewater are also home grown?

I'd say call and ask. Report back, if you hear.

[upnorthbassin]

There is/was a company in Texas called Revelation Reels. It looks like they don't have a website anymore though. I think Ardent is one of the only ones you would be able to walk into a box store and buy. There was a few niche companies but most of them make/made really high end offshore stuff and fly reels...not many of them made any spinning gear. Even Van Staal sent their production overseas now.

[grampa1114]

I just got off the phone with Ardent and the answer is.....What's left on sale....are the last spinning reels they made in USA...the spinning reel lines....now to be called Forge and Edgewater....are to be made in China............................shame.........

[dam0007]

at the rate things are going I wouldn't be surprised if GM/Ford starts getting outsourced to China.

[Alpster]

at the rate things are going I wouldn't be surprised if GM/Ford starts getting outsourced to China.

According to "Forbes", less than one in five GM cars are Made in USA. The vast majotity are made overseas (mostly China). Sorry!

http://www.forbes.co...general-motors/

Ronnie

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The global economy is here to stay. All we can do is keep in mind that with each purchase made here we are supporting US workers that market, ship, sell and support the products. I could go on but that would just result in the thread being locked.

[0119]

Conquered without a shot. All they needed was a walmart in every town.

[Stasher1]

I just got off the phone with Ardent and the answer is.....What's left on sale....are the last spinning reels they made in USA...the spinning reel lines....now to be called Forge and Edgewater....are to be made in China............................shame.........

Had Ardent done a better job on their baitcasters from the start, their spinning reels would've had a much better chance at success. Unfortunately, Ardent chose to market a line of mediocre baitcasters with less than stellar reliability, at prices comparable to some of the higher-end import reels with proven reliability. Let's face it, we'd all love to get our hands on a quality America-made reel for the same price we've been paying for the Chinese-made stuff...but the quality has to be there. A "Made in America" label will only take you so far.

If you want to succeed in a market dominated by imports, it's not enough to be almost as good or as inexpensive as the next guy, you have to be better, cheaper, or both.

[tomustang]

I've yet to hold an ardent spinning reel that didn't feel like crap. Leaves a sour taste of American manufacturing in my mouth.

[SirSnookalot]

As a consumer I owe it to myself to by a product that best serves my needs in both price and quality. Whether it's fishing gear, appliances or a car, I want my money well spent. If an American company can give me what I want, I'll take a good look, if they can't I'm shopping elsewhere. As said "Made in America" goes just so far, if they don't stack up to the competition, in time they will go by the wayside.