Reel Handles

[USMC22]

Can someone school me on handles and knobs, specifically hawgtechs as far as benefits and applications? I've tried searching and see they have a strong following just haven't found much beyond that. Thanks!

[cottny27]

I dunno, but they are a lot of money and you are paying for the bling.  I buy BPS Carbonlite handles from Outdoor World in Springfield, MO and have them shipped for free to my nearest store. $15/ea and they a 4 bearing carbon handles.  You lose about .1-.2oz of weight of a reel on avg.  I'll save my $100.

[Jrob78]

2 minutes ago, cottny27 said:

I dunno, but they are a lot of money and you are paying for the bling.  I buy BPS Carbonlite handles from Outdoor World in Springfield, MO and have them shipped for free to my nearest store. $15/ea and they a 4 bearing carbon handles.  You lose about .1-.2oz of weight of a reel on avg.  I'll save my $100.

How long are your BPS handles?

[cottny27]

Just now, Jrob78 said:

How long are your BPS handles?

Not long enough imo. I believe 85mm, 90mm at most.  That's the only negative. I prefer the eva knobs on them.  Cheap little upgrade. 

[Jrob78]

Just now, cottny27 said:

Not long enough imo. I believe 85mm, 90mm at most.  That's the only negative. I prefer the eva knobs on them.  Cheap little upgrade. 

That's still a great price for a carbon fiber handle.

That is one major benefit of buying an aftermarket handle.  You can get much longer lengths.

[Jeff H]

The Hawgtech's are a legit product.  I think I have bought 4 of them so far, all with those big and beautiful Winn knobs they have.  The 102mm swept models have a bit of torsional flex that concerned me but after actually using them it was never a problem.  The 90 and 94's are stout!  Pretty certain there will be more on my future builds.

[TxHawgs]

I have been looking at the studio composite handles and eva knobs for my new Mentaniums. Man between the handle and knobs your talkin $200 bucks. Plus I want a cpl of the Yumeya deep spools for loading some w 20-25lb. fluro. That's $300 total, as much as I'm paying for the Metaniums from Japan, crazy I know. Like any kind of hobby if u want to play w the best get ready to pay like the rest.

[South FLA]

Been in the JDM reel hobby for a long time now (since the early 90s) and started Hawg Tech, because we saw a need for JDM type quality handles, but for more reasonable prices.  For example in my opinion the best JDM handles are ZPI, but the handle alone is $90, without knobs.   I have tried Studio Composites, and unless you just want the Studio Composite looks then why not the ZPI and if that is the case then why not Hawg Tech? Lastly, try giving ZPI, Studio Composites, or Avail a call if you have issues....
 

Cost Comparison for a Shimano Curado (The largest market segment)

Hawgtech 94MM without knobs (Transfer Shimano Septon  knobs from your existing reel) $59.  You can add $10 for Septons  Knobs, $20 for Winn Knobs or $35 for 100% cork knobs.  So your price range is $59-$94.

Studio Composites 92mm with Carbon Knobs $149 w/ Eva $139

ZPI  Carbon 92mm are $89 without knobs.

We also offer 90mm for those of you that want a smaller profile handle for 50 series reels and our most popular 102mm which adds $10 to above comparison. 

 

If you have any questions our would like to order a handle send me an Email at robert@hawgtech.com or you can call me just send me a PM. 

 

 

 

[Maico1]

32 minutes ago, South FLA said:

Been in the JDM reel hobby for a long time now (since the early 90s) and started Hawg Tech, because we saw a need for JDM type quality handles, but for more reasonable prices.  For example in my opinion the best JDM handles are ZPI, but the handle alone is $90, without knobs.   I have tried Studio Composites, and unless you just want the Studio Composite looks then why not the ZPI and if that is the case then why not Hawg Tech? Lastly, trying giving ZPI, Studio Composites, or Avail a call if you have issues....
 

Cost Comparison for a Shimano Curado (The largest market segment)

Hawgtech 94MM without knobs (Transfer Shimano Septon  knobs from your existing reel) $59.  You can add $10 for Septons  Knobs, $20 for Winn Knobs or $35 for 100% cork knobs.  So your price range is $59-$94.

Studio Composites 92mm with Carbon Knobs $149 w/ Eva $139

ZPI  Carbon 92mm are $89 without knobs.

We also offer 90mm for those of you that want a smaller profile handle for 50 series reels and our most popular $102mm which adds $10 to above comparison. 

 

If you have any questions our would like to order a handle send me an Email at robert@hawgtech.com or you can call me just send me a PM. 

 

Just for the record Hawgtech's service is second to none.....

 

 

[rippin-lips]

14 hours ago, cottny27 said:

I dunno, but they are a lot of money and you are paying for the bling.  I buy BPS Carbonlite handles from Outdoor World in Springfield, MO and have them shipped for free to my nearest store. $15/ea and they a 4 bearing carbon handles.  You lose about .1-.2oz of weight of a reel on avg.  I'll save my $100.

They're $70 with standard Shimano knobs. Not hardly a lot of money when compared to something like an Rcs. You're paying for a quality product backed by a good company. Not some mass produced Chinese handles. For some it is considered a lot of money and they have to stick with what they can afford though. 

[cottny27]

11 hours ago, rippin-lips said:

They're $70 with standard Shimano knobs. Not hardly a lot of money when compared to something like an Rcs. You're paying for a quality product backed by a good company. Not some mass produced Chinese handles. For some it is considered a lot of money and they have to stick with what they can afford though. 

So how do I respond to this without getting booted off??  ?

[.ghoti.]

Try doing so without descending into schoolyard name calling, and you'll get no further grief from me.

[EllisJuan]

14 hours ago, TxHawgs said:

I have been looking at the studio composite handles and eva knobs for my new Mentaniums. Man between the handle and knobs your talkin $200 bucks. Plus I want a cpl of the Yumeya deep spools for loading some w 20-25lb. fluro. That's $300 total, as much as I'm paying for the Metaniums from Japan, crazy I know. Like any kind of hobby if u want to play w the best get ready to pay like the rest.

I LOVE my Studio Composite with EVA knobs on my Metanium.  You won't regret spending the money.

[TxHawgs]

3 hours ago, EllisJuan said:

I LOVE my Studio Composite with EVA knobs on my Metanium.  You won't regret spending the money.

Man that is sweet, did u get that handle with the knobs or did u have to buy them separately? Those knobs are gunmetal color correct? What length is the handle? And who makes that spool tensioner knob?

[EllisJuan]

6 hours ago, TxHawgs said:

Man that is sweet, did u get that handle with the knobs or did u have to buy them separately? Those knobs are gunmetal color correct? What length is the handle? And who makes that spool tensioner knob?

I ordered the handle with the knobs.  Yes it is the Gunmetal color.  That is the 88mm handle, if I was ordering again I would go 96mm.  The tensioner knob is Avail.

[TxHawgs]

Just now, EllisJuan said:

I ordered the handle with the knobs.  Yes it is the Gunmetal color.  That is the 88mm handle, if I was ordering again I would go 96mm.  The tensioner knob is Avail.

Thanks boss, hey I scored 6 NRX rods on the auction site last night! A 804C 852C 853C 854C 893C and the 822S SYR which I don't know if I'm gonna keep. Wonder if anyone has that rod and the 822S DSR? I had the 822S DSR and sold it to buy a green one. Anyway both rods r 6'10" and mag-medium XF both rated 6-12lb. However the SYR is rated 1/8-5/16 which I don't understand? Rated up to 12lbs. but only rated up to 5/16 lure? That's a spread of only 3/16, yet the DSR same line rating is rated up to a 1/2oz. the rod specs r the same as far as length power and action, wonder how much different they can really be. And I wonder how the shakeyhead rod would work for dropshot.

[BillyBassMaster]

My all around favorite knobs are shimanos they are the most comfortable, grippy, and they fit the fingers perfectly.

[South FLA]

7 hours ago, BillyBassMaster said:

My all around favorite knobs are shimanos they are the most comfortable, grippy, and they fit the fingers perfectly.

Of all the manufactured spec knobs you can't beat the oversized Septons in my opinion!   The are a tad heavy and can get sticky if you leave them in the sun and can melt if exposed to chemicals, but as far as the finger groove and feel, they are great!

 

Most EVA knobs are hard and compress very little.  Therefore, for all day comfort in power fishing applications (Cranks, Spinner-baits, etc.) , Winn Knobs would be my power fishing knob choice. Winn knobs compress a bit, which is ergonomically better, think about standing all day on a padded boat deck vs. a hard non-skid deck.  Lastly, for strike transmission and lightness, our 100% hand lathed cork knobs can't be beat by any manufacturer that I have researched. Most of the JDM cork knobs are compressed or rubberized/glued cork material, the equivalent of particle board.

[DirtyDeuceGoose]

I don't want to beat a dead horse but I'll throw in my two cents for Hawgtech. After I bought my first I was hooked. To each their own, but they definitely work for me. The 102mm on my Zillion Type R is fantastic for frogs and flipping and pitching. 

[0119]

8 hours ago, South FLA said:

Of all the manufactured spec knobs you can't beat the oversized Septons in my opinion!   The are a tad heavy and can get sticky if you leave them in the sun and can melt if exposed to chemicals, but as far as the finger groove and feel, they are great!

Sticky doesn't even describe it. Dissolve even with their own brand oil!  Do you offer any older style straight handles in narrower sizes with nice big fat 2nd Generation Revo style Eva paddles? 

Never mind I found them. Those Winn grips look very interesting, especially as I'm suffering from a right hand injury that causes me pain holding on to a small grip.