Reel Handle Rant. Lol

[dam0007]

Ok so I love shimanos. But I have purchased other brands to try out. Daiwa aird, quantum accursit bc and spinning and a antix. Ok so I buy lefty reels, shimano has grips for the lefties contoured to your left index and thumb. And for the righties the same. So the quantum antix they used righty grips for the lefty reel where as the 2 accursits used the same flat grips..... Someone jump started a older okuma thread, so I was checking them out to see what's new, it seems they do the same thing on the reels that don't have round or flat grips. Hence the cheaper reels. So that's 2 brands that skimp out, may not be a big deal but it just irritates me lol little things like that steer me away from companies that don't spend the extra 2 cents. /rant

Do any of you guys notice this with other brands out there?

[rippin-lips]

There's no difference to me. I have septon grips on a ht handle in lh and I've put it on a rh reel and it feels exactly the same.

[SirSnookalot]

I took a power handle from an Abu soron 40 and put it on my soron 20, what a difference.  The reel is on med 7' 8/17 rod, I don't use it for bass too often, mainly when we have bluefish, lady fish and jacks running, the fish in my avatar was caught on that combo.  The handle has given me more cranking power and much better level of comfort IMO.

[John G]

Knobs are a big deal IMHO! I just ordered 10 Power Grip II knobs for a Chronarch to put on most of my Shimano's. They are a steal at less than $3.00 apiece. I plan on buying 10 more just to have in reserve.

[The Rooster]

What John G said! Except for the Shimano part. Nothing against Shimano, but as for me, I recently sold my Shimano casting reels and went back to my old BPS Extremes, partly due to handle grips. In the future I won't base my reel purchases on grips alone, but I will not consider reels that don't have, or cannot have added, comfortably designed grips AND bearings inside the knobs. The older BPS Extreme has both of these features. I've already added a full set of bearings to all the knobs on 4 reels now, and the stock grips are very comfortable to me, smooth, plain textured, and somewhat flat but bulked up at the same time for ease of hanging onto them while cranking a more resistive bait. My old Curado E had nice grips, and one knob bearing for each but I wanted two instead. Seems slicker feeling that way. My Citica E had no knob bearings and the knobs themselves were smaller than I like. I got tired of my hand falling off the grip as I cranked it. Also, the way these reels were made, knob bearings could not be added without a complete change of the handle shank. I'm with you, knobs don't make a reel but they sure can break one.

[Hogsticker]

Handle knobs are very simple to change with a huge selection to choose from as long as they are not rivetted on. They don't really sway my purchasing decisions, but short, cheap looking handle drive me bonkers

[John G]

 My old Curado E had nice grips, and one knob bearing for each but I wanted two instead. Seems slicker feeling that way. My Citica E had no knob bearings and the knobs themselves were smaller than I like. I got tired of my hand falling off the grip as I cranked it. Also, the way these reels were made, knob bearings could not be added without a complete change of the handle shank. I'm with you, knobs don't make a reel but they sure can break one.

I also prefer two bearings but the single bearing per knob in my Curado 50E is fine for me. It's amazing what 1 bearing versus no bearings at all feels like. I ordered the big knobs like your Curado 200E had. I assume you meant the 200E. My Citica 200E's just got Hawgtech Handles and I am doing away with the little knobs and putting the bigger Power Grip II knobs on them. I will buy a reel like a Calcutta 50B with no bearing at all. I'll just buy a handle for a Calcutta CTE100 GT like I did for my Calcutta 100B.

[5fishlimit]

I add Reel Grips to all my baitcasters. I like the extra bulk, and cushioned feel to them. Might be the best $6 upgrade to do for comfort.

[Catt]

I'm thinking if they slip on they'll slip off!

[0119]

No they don't slip off. To the point they leave permanent marks on Shimano septon when you take them off.

[J Francho]

I've found they slip more toward the base of the knob on smaller Daiwa knobs.  I'm not really a fan of them.

[MacP]

The only knobs that aggravate me are the plain-jane flat knobs that come on Abu's round reels.  I just got one today and need a power handle already.

 

My favorite knobs are on the higher end Pfluegers. 

[dam0007]

My main point is companies skimp on the grips when making lefty reels. It's lame to me.i I'm righty but have been cranking lefty all my life.

[Jrob78]

I guess I never realized there were right and left hand knobs, other than the knobs that have writing on them.   I guess because I'm a righty.  

[iabass8]

I add Reel Grips to all my baitcasters. I like the extra bulk, and cushioned feel to them. Might be the best $6 upgrade to do for comfort.

agree

[MacP]

I'm a righty who started out wade fishing in creeks with spinning gear.  I like cranking lefty.  I'll always crank lefty.  Most of my BCs are Lews...they don't really care if you're RH or LH.

[0119]

The only knobs that aggravate me are the plain-jane flat knobs that come on Abu's round reels.  I just got one today and need a power handle already.

 

My favorite knobs are on the higher end Pfluegers. 

Those are the only knobs I like!  There are a lot of reels I wont buy because of their grips.  I melt shimano's septon and eva grips don't handle bushwaking all that well.

[dam0007]

I guess I never realized there were right and left hand knobs, other than the knobs that have writing on them.   I guess because I'm a righty.  

Yea the Shimanos PoweRgrip and TechnicaLgrip. One for right thumb and index finger and left thumb and index finger. Contoured.

[bigbill]

I do buy the reels that have the knobs I like. So far my okuma, Finor and quantum spinning reels are all I've used now. I just purchased five shimano spinning reels for christmas gifts and they felt pretty good. I may go back and get me one after Christmas. Bill

[Crankinstein]

I use LH reels as well and I definitely agree with the original post, having a good feeling knob and handle is important whether it be factory or add on. I would also like to say that having a good star drag is important too. Its got to feel right in my hand whether its plastic or metal and have a smooth feel when adjusting it.