Spinning reel handle upgrades

[Creek Chub 1]

Just curious what options are available to upgrade spinning reel handles, specifically shimanos like strandic and vanford 2500 or 2000 series reels. Most, if not all these series have the small knob style handle. I like the T style handle on the 3000 and just curious if shimano has an option or preferred aftermarket parts that work well with shimano

 

thanks

[A-Jay]

If I can, I replace them all with the T handle.

I like it.

A-Jay

[bulldog1935]

T-knobs are the first thing to go on my big reels.  I'm sure I have 3 stashed in reel boxes...

 

There are choices out there - any Shimano A or Daiwa S knob will swap into the existing handle. 

Shimano offers Yumeya knobs, and complete handles. The T-knobs will go right on your small-frame reels - they're all Shimano A. 

You can find a long list of handles and knobs that will swap-in your Shimano. 

Hedgehog Studio will have the most choices for both handles and knobs. 

IOS offers an adapter that will let you use Daiwa SLP works handles on Shimano. 

 

One problem you run into with big aluminum and big rubber knobs is that they're heavy. 

My favorite spinning knobs are Livre, which are titanium hollow shell and half the weight of most other big knobs. 

This is my near-offshore 5000, with 65-mm SLP Works handle, and the big 37-mm Livre knob is only 14 g, vs. 28 g for Yumeya aluminum or 35 g for Shimano rubber.  Next to it is my Twin Power 3000 with my favorite Livre counter-balanced handle and EF30 knob. 

 

I generally prefer counter-balanced handles on spinning reels - they improve feel and prevent the bail from turning under its own weight by gravity.  I like the smaller Livre and Avail knobs on my UL.  Below are my Vanquish C2000S and Stradic C1000S

The little Stradic handle has a mix of Livre and Gomexus parts with the Avail knobs.  Short-pitch doubles are fantastic on low-geared spinning reels - they give you the option to crank really fast. 

[Creek Chub 1]

10 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

T-knobs are the first thing to go on my big reels.  I'm sure I have 3 stashed in reel boxes...

 

There are choices out there - any Shimano A or Daiwa S knob will swap into the existing handle. 

Shimano offers Yumeya knobs, and complete handles. The T-knobs will go right on your small-frame reels - they're all Shimano A. 

You can find a long list of handles and knobs that will swap-in your Shimano. 

Hedgehog Studio will have the most choices for both handles and knobs. 

IOS offers an adapter that will let you use Daiwa SLP works handles on Shimano. 

 

One problem you run into with big aluminum and big rubber knobs is that they're heavy. 

My favorite spinning knobs are Livre, which are titanium and half the weight of most other big knobs. 

This is my near-offshore 5000, with 65-mm SLP Works handle, and the big 37-mm Livre knob is only 14 g, vs. 35 g for Yumeya aluminum or Shimano rubber.  Next to it is my Twin Power 3000 with my favorite Livre counter-balanced handle and EF30 knob. 

 

I generally prefer counter-balanced handles on spinning reels - they improve feel and prevent the bail from turning under its own weight by gravity.  I like the smaller Livre and Avail knobs on my UL.  Below are my Vanquish C2000S and Stradic C1000S

The little Stradic handle has a mix of Livre and Gomexus parts with the Avail knobs.  Short-pitch doubles are fantastic on low-geared spinning reels - they give you the option to crank really fast. 

Those are awesome, thanks for the info!

[garroyo130]

$2.59 plus shipping ... probably also need the little cover for it.

 

https://fishshop.shimano.com/collections/vfc3000xgf

[mrpao]

I use to replace the handles on my smaller spinning reels with the longer ones from the next size up. Sometimes i would just buy the T knobs from shimano and replace the smaller knobs with them. 

Lately I've gotten use to the smaller knobs from shimano and daiwa.

I still sometimes replace the daiwa knobs with the cork style I knobs.

[Creek Chub 1]

16 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

T-knobs are the first thing to go on my big reels.  I'm sure I have 3 stashed in reel boxes...

 

There are choices out there - any Shimano A or Daiwa S knob will swap into the existing handle. 

Shimano offers Yumeya knobs, and complete handles. The T-knobs will go right on your small-frame reels - they're all Shimano A. 

You can find a long list of handles and knobs that will swap-in your Shimano. 

Hedgehog Studio will have the most choices for both handles and knobs. 

IOS offers an adapter that will let you use Daiwa SLP works handles on Shimano. 

 

One problem you run into with big aluminum and big rubber knobs is that they're heavy. 

My favorite spinning knobs are Livre, which are titanium and half the weight of most other big knobs. 

This is my near-offshore 5000, with 65-mm SLP Works handle, and the big 37-mm Livre knob is only 14 g, vs. 35 g for Yumeya aluminum or Shimano rubber.  Next to it is my Twin Power 3000 with my favorite Livre counter-balanced handle and EF30 knob. 

 

I generally prefer counter-balanced handles on spinning reels - they improve feel and prevent the bail from turning under its own weight by gravity.  I like the smaller Livre and Avail knobs on my UL.  Below are my Vanquish C2000S and Stradic C1000S

The little Stradic handle has a mix of Livre and Gomexus parts with the Avail knobs.  Short-pitch doubles are fantastic on low-geared spinning reels - they give you the option to crank really fast. 

Will the shimano oem T 3000 T handle fit the 2500? 

[bulldog1935]

@Creek Chub 1

absolutely - they're both Shimano A knobs. 

 

 

even the crazy-big rubber knob from the 5000 will fit, but I don't recommend it -

- it weighs 1/4-reel. 

[Creek Chub 1]

58 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

@Creek Chub 1

absolutely - they're both Shimano A knobs. 

 

 

even the crazy-big rubber knob from the 5000 will fit, but I don't recommend it -

- it weighs 1/4-reel. 

Dang, you got me thinking about changing the knobs on most of my reels. I have a vanford 2000 that I love but the knob is so tiny. 

[bulldog1935]

careful, it's a slippery slope. 

There are some beauties out there in wood and cork. 

One thing I've always liked about the Livre knobs, you can hook them between two fingers, the round end seats in your palm beautifully (crank power) - and the tapers between thin and big-round are faceted, which feel totally natural in an index-finger-knuckle-thumb 3-point grip. 

[Creek Chub 1]

18 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

careful, it's a slippery slope. 

There are some beauties out there in wood and cork. 

One thing I've always liked about the Livre knobs, you can hook them between two fingers, the round end seats in your palm beautifully (crank power) - and the tapers between thin and big-round are faceted, which feel totally natural in an index-finger-knuckle-thumb 3-point grip. 

I’m gonna have to find a how to video and also see what tools I need to switch knobs

[bulldog1935]

All you need is a good PH#1 Phillips screwdriver - 4-mm shaft diameter is best. 

The hook to pull bearings from knobs comes with new knobs, but you can make something with stiff wire (music wire). 

This is an SLP Works handle that also came with the bearings, shim washers, and Phillips screw.  Most aftermarket knobs only come with the hook tool and shim washers.