Stradic FK "Hagane" review up at TT

[Darren.]

Gets great marks from the reviewer.

http://tackletour.com/reviewshimanostradicfk.html

[A-Jay]

Sweet ~ What's not to like about that ?

Interesting to note ~ from the reviewer "The 2500 and 3000 sizes look almost identical and both weigh in at 8.3oz. with the main difference being line capacity and a retrieve ratio of 6.0:1 for the 2500 model versus 6.2:1 for the 3000 model. At 8.3oz. the Stradic FK is certainly not a heavyweight, but it does feel substantial, and you will want to test it out on various rods to determine whether or not it balances out your rig the way you like. "

"The Stradic ST-2000 was the very first spinning reel to ever be awardedan Editor’s Choice from us all the way back in 2001, and Shimano proves that they are still on top of their spinning game with this latest iteration. The Stradic FK doesn’t build on traditional design elements or cosmetics specifically tying it to the past, instead the FK is a revolution in the series versus just another evolution, and anglers looking for a high performance spinning reel at and around the 200 dollar price point should definitely consider it."

I'm looking for a replacement in the 3000 size.  This could be a contender . . . .

A-Jay

[Darren.]

LOL, I almost put that first quote up, too.

I just need to keep the Baitmonkey at bay
since I just upgraded to FJ models...

[smallie.mike]

I have one of the new fk's and prefer my fj's. 

The 2500 and 3000 have always been the same size, only difference is the spool depth and sometimes the knob is different. 

[Darren.]

1 minute ago, smallie.mike said:

I have one of the new fk's and prefer my fj's. 

The 2500 and 3000 have always been the same size, only difference is the spool depth and sometimes the knob is different. 

Phew. Thanks Mike. That makes me feel better, LOL.

I love my FJ's, X-Ship is amazing. Plan on keeping
them for a looong time.

[smallie.mike]

Ok I just read this review and have an issue with it. They say the this new stradic has an all metal body which is not true. It's just like the fj, the stem half is aluminum and the other half that holds the internal gears and whatnot is composite. 

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Darren. said:

Phew. Thanks Mike. That makes me feel better, LOL.

I love my FJ's, X-Ship is amazing. Plan on keeping
them for a looong time.

I like the fk but I don't think it's worth the price increase. It's feels and looks cheap compared to the fj in my hands anyway. 

[tomustang]

9 minutes ago, smallie.mike said:

Ok I just read this review and have an issue with it. They say the this new stradic has an all metal body which is not true. It's just like the fj, the stem half is aluminum and the other half that holds the internal gears and whatnot is composite. 

 

 

 

I like the fk but I don't think it's worth the price increase. It's feels and looks cheap compared to the fj in my hands anyway. 

Cheap is a relative term. Carbon fiber is a good example of something feeling cheap yet strong and more efficient in many ways to other material.

[A-Jay]

9 minutes ago, smallie.mike said:

Ok I just read this review and have an issue with it. They say the this new stradic has an all metal body which is not true. It's just like the fj, the stem half is aluminum and the other half that holds the internal gears and whatnot is composite. 

 

 

 

I like the fk but I don't think it's worth the price increase. It's feels and looks cheap compared to the fj in my hands anyway. 

I have never been a big fan of style / design construction.   Also sounds like a perfect candidate for the TW Demo program, though it doesn't look like it's available just yet for the try before you buy deal.

A-Jay

 

[smallie.mike]

6 minutes ago, tomustang said:

Cheap is a relative term. Carbon fiber is a good example of something feeling cheap yet strong and more efficient in many ways to other material.

The fk is not made from carbon fiber. It's made from the same materials as the fj. Side by side the build quality and look of the fk feels "cheaper" in my opinion. Not sure what other term to use. 

[Darren.]

52 minutes ago, smallie.mike said:

The fk is not made from carbon fiber. It's made from the same materials as the fj. Side by side the build quality and look of the fk feels "cheaper" in my opinion. Not sure what other term to use. 

What about weight, Mike?

Do they feel the same to you? I know the
"hard weight" mentioned in the article, but
just curious as to your opinion/feel having
used both.

[OkobojiEagle]

"Hagane concept"... I have a concept also.  No metal body, no carbon fiber multi-disc drag, no back-reel toggle, no  purchase.

 

 

oe

[smallie.mike]

15 minutes ago, Darren. said:

What about weight, Mike?

Do they feel the same to you? I know the
"hard weight" mentioned in the article, but
just curious as to your opinion/feel having
used both.

Side by side on the same rod the fk does feel lighter, but I've never been concerned with weight. They both balance well on a 7' avid. 

[21farms]

okay, i'm super confused. on the U.S. shimano website, it says that both the 2500 and 3000 sizes have 6.0:1 gears and the same line retrieve of 35" per turn. but both TT and TW say that the 3000 has 6.2:1 gears and so there must be difference in IPT as well. also, the shimano website says both weigh the same 8.3 ounces and both offer 20 pounds of max drag whereas the JDM stradic 2500 and 3000 FKs have differences of 3cm in retrieve, 20g in weight and 5kg difference in drag. TT's review makes no mention of the claimed 20 lbs. of max drag.

[OkobojiEagle]

Apparently a Stradic looses something in translation...

 

oe

[smallie.mike]

15 minutes ago, 21farms said:

okay, i'm super confused. on the U.S. shimano website, it says that both the 2500 and 3000 sizes have 6.0:1 gears and the same line retrieve of 35" per turn. but both TT and TW say that the 3000 has 6.2:1 gears and so there must be difference in IPT as well. also, the shimano website says both weigh the same 8.3 ounces and both offer 20 pounds of max drag whereas the JDM stradic 2500 and 3000 FKs have differences of 3cm in retrieve, 20g in weight and 5kg difference in drag. TT's review makes no mention of the claimed 20 lbs. of max drag.

Don't worry about all those facts... all you need to know is that it has hagane technology. 

 

[Darren.]

47 minutes ago, 21farms said:

okay, i'm super confused. on the U.S. shimano website, it says that both the 2500 and 3000 sizes have 6.0:1 gears and the same line retrieve of 35" per turn. but both TT and TW say that the 3000 has 6.2:1 gears and so there must be difference in IPT as well. also, the shimano website says both weigh the same 8.3 ounces and both offer 20 pounds of max drag whereas the JDM stradic 2500 and 3000 FKs have differences of 3cm in retrieve, 20g in weight and 5kg difference in drag. TT's review makes no mention of the claimed 20 lbs. of max drag.

Curious....

Japan Tackle has it at 6.2:1 as well but there are 3 3000 models:

The 5.0:1 is C3000
The 6.0:1 is C3000HG
The 6.2:1 is 3000XGM

http://japantackle.com/spinning-reels/shimano/standard-models/shimano-15stradic-spinning-reels.html

[Chris at Tech]

Wow - a positive Shimano review on TT?  How unusual...

But in all seriousness, I like Stradics so I'm sure this is a good one too.

[tomustang]

7 hours ago, smallie.mike said:

The fk is not made from carbon fiber. It's made from the same materials as the fj. Side by side the build quality and look of the fk feels "cheaper" in my opinion. Not sure what other term to use. 

"Example"

 

You must've missed that part.

[smallie.mike]

1 hour ago, tomustang said:

"Example"

 

You must've missed that part.

Nope didn't miss it... you said "Carbon fiber is a good example of something feeling cheap yet strong and more efficient in many ways to other material."

So what materials are the new fk made from that make it feel cheap but yet are stronger and more efficient than other materials?

For me it's similar to the symetre. Look at a symetre fj next to the new symetre fl and tell me which looks cheaper. 

[tomustang]

It's like talking to a wall. It's an example, you missed it again, If I really cared to stop you from taking the example and trying to apply it to whatever the FK is made of then I would, but I dont.

[smallie.mike]

12 minutes ago, tomustang said:

It's like talking to a wall. It's an example, you missed it again, If I really cared to stop you from taking the example and trying to apply it to whatever the FK is made of then I would, but I dont.

You need to look up the definition of example. 

[Molay1292]

The Shimano web-site advertises the FK as an all metal body and then go into detail about how much better it makes the reel.

Are we 100% sure the body is not some form of metal alloy?

[smallie.mike]

1 minute ago, Molay1292 said:

The Shimano web-site advertises the FK as an all metal body and then go into detail about how much better it makes the reel.

Are we 100% sure the body is not some form of metal alloy?

The stem is aluminum, The sideplate part or whatever you want to call that holds the gears is composite. It's just like the fj half aluminum and half composite. And yes I'm 100% sure. I'll post pictures when I get a chance. 

[Molay1292]

Just now, smallie.mike said:

The stem is aluminum, The sideplate part or whatever you want to call that holds the gears is composite. It's just like the fj half aluminum and half composite. And yes I'm 100% sure. I'll post pictures when I get a chance. 

Cool, if you use the same terms as that of the schematics, then the part with the foot is the side-plate and the portion that houses the gears and bearings the body.   This all seems rather mis-leading.

[smallie.mike]

15 minutes ago, Molay1292 said:

Cool, if you use the same terms as that of the schematics, then the part with the foot is the side-plate and the portion that houses the gears and bearings the body.   This all seems rather mis-leading.

Yep the body is composite, just like the fj was.