The Rooster Posted February 7, 2011 Posted February 7, 2011 I guess since carbon fiber handles are showing up more frequently now then they are NOT going away, and what's more, I'm afraid that sooner or later they will replace aluminum completely so that that's all you can find on a reel. So, to those of you who have had a reel with a carbon handle for at least a season, does it feel as strong to you as an aluminum handle does?? I keep thinking that a reel with this would be a lot easier to break it off of. You know how fishing gear is in a boat, getting stepped on, dropped, kicked, and generally banged around. I don't do those things, but accidents happen and if I had a reel with that on it, how durable would it be compared to aluminum?? Also, is there a difference between carbon and graphite or is it the same thing?? Baitcast reels have had graphite drag stars for years, why not handles too?? Quote
Fish Chris Posted February 7, 2011 Posted February 7, 2011 When I first read your post, I thought you meant "the whole grip portion of the handle" was carbon fiber ! But then, heck, if you just mean the reel seat portion, I think almost all of my rods (and some are several years old) are carbon fiber. The only reason I can't just take a look at them over my shoulder right now, is because I ALWAYS wrap the reel seat portion of my spinning rods with batters grip tape, to 1) give me a fatter, tacky surface, for a better grip, and 2) insure that my reel will always be as solid and tightly connected to the rod as possible. Never a loosened reel seat ring, on my rods Anyway, I can't remember ever having broke a reel seat, of any kind. I feel like I'm fairly hard on rods..... But then again, I've probably only broke about 4 rods, in 44 years of fishing.... Hmmmm, Fish Quote
Super User SoFlaBassAddict Posted February 7, 2011 Super User Posted February 7, 2011 When I first read your post, I thought you meant "the whole grip portion of the handle" was carbon fiber ! But then, heck, if you just mean the reel seat portion, I think almost all of my rods (and some are several years old) are carbon fiber. The only reason I can't just take a look at them over my shoulder right now, is because I ALWAYS wrap the reel seat portion of my spinning rods with batters grip tape, to 1) give me a fatter, tacky surface, for a better grip, and 2) insure that my reel will always be as solid and tightly connected to the rod as possible. Never a loosened reel seat ring, on my rods Anyway, I can't remember ever having broke a reel seat, of any kind. I feel like I'm fairly hard on rods..... But then again, I've probably only broke about 4 rods, in 44 years of fishing.... Hmmmm, Fish Chris. Reel handle. Not rod nor reel seat. The thing you turn on a reel. Rooster, as far as the strength goes, carbon fiber should be stronger than graphite or aluminum. It's some strong stuff. That being said, there are different qualities of carbon fiber. It can also be laid much differently to make it stronger. Vacuum formed as well. Like anything, it all depends on how it is constructed. Quote
Super User BASSclary Posted February 7, 2011 Super User Posted February 7, 2011 IIRC from Intro to Engineering class, Carbon Fiber is stronger, but more brittle, than say aluminum, which can bend to absorb energy well. Quote
JacobK Posted February 7, 2011 Posted February 7, 2011 IIRC from Intro to Engineering class, Carbon Fiber is stronger, but more brittle, than say aluminum, which can bend to absorb energy well. correct, you get a cookie! Quote
Super User SoFlaBassAddict Posted February 7, 2011 Super User Posted February 7, 2011 Doh ! Just blame it on the age. We'll understand. ;D Quote
Super User BASSclary Posted February 7, 2011 Super User Posted February 7, 2011 IIRC from Intro to Engineering class, Carbon Fiber is stronger, but more brittle, than say aluminum, which can bend to absorb energy well. correct, you get a cookie! NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM... ... I wonder if JDM Cookies taste better.Haha Cabin fever is setting in. ;D Quote
Whets Lines Posted February 7, 2011 Posted February 7, 2011 I used my Quantum Tour Edition PT all last season. Never once did I have any issue or feeling that something wasn't working right. I didn't notice any flex or anything which drew my attention away from reeling in the fish. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another reel with a CF handle. Whets 8-) Quote
Super User BrianinMD Posted February 7, 2011 Super User Posted February 7, 2011 Considering that F1 race cars have the suspension made out of carbon fiber it should be plenty strong enough for a reel handle. Quote
Super User .ghoti. Posted February 8, 2011 Super User Posted February 8, 2011 I have one reel with a CF handle; an Alphas R Edition. I also have an Alphas 103F; basically the same reel, except for the handle. While fishing, I can't tell the difference between them. The carbon handle makes no difference that I can tell. It doesn't feel weaker, or stronger. I doesn't feel any lighter. The swept design also makes no difference. It is supposed to improve the center of gravity and eliminate wobble while cranking. HUH? How do spell hype? I spell it bulls%#@. I do like the compressed cork knobs. I'd put those on all my reels if they didn't cost so much. Quote
The Rooster Posted February 8, 2011 Author Posted February 8, 2011 I have one reel with a CF handle; an Alphas R Edition.I also have an Alphas 103F; basically the same reel, except for the handle. While fishing, I can't tell the difference between them. The carbon handle makes no difference that I can tell. It doesn't feel weaker, or stronger. I doesn't feel any lighter. The swept design also makes no difference. It is supposed to improve the center of gravity and eliminate wobble while cranking. HUH? How do spell hype? I spell it bulls%#@. I do like the compressed cork knobs. I'd put those on all my reels if they didn't cost so much. I couldn't agree more there. That was my thought on it when I first saw it. I think it's just the next fad that makes the reels look "sexy, sharp, sleek and fast", whatever they want to say to get your money. My hat is off to Shimano for not conforming to this fad with their reels. Not that it hurts the reel's performance either, other than the occasional smacking of the knuckles on the nut cap that holds the handle on. It does look good, I just like the straight handles better. Better get used to it though, I think eventually it will be that way on most reels made. Quote
Super User Redlinerobert Posted February 8, 2011 Super User Posted February 8, 2011 While driving to work the other day, I ran across this old woman who had a flat tire. She didnt have a jack, nor did I. Thank God I had my Daiwa reel with the carbon handle. I used the handle to jack up her car while I changed her tire. Those carbon handles sure are strong. Quote
Super User Raul Posted February 8, 2011 Super User Posted February 8, 2011 I only have one reel with carbon fiber handle: Alphas R Edition, don 't make the reel lighter than the Type F or if it does like hell shure I can 't feel it, I bought it because I like the platform Alphas/Sol/Pixy, but unless I get a PX68 I don 't see a lot of carbon fiber handles in my reels, to tell you the truth, I don 't even like how they look. My R Edition would sure have looked a lot nicer if instead of having the handle in black it had in silver. Quote
Scorpio Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 While driving to work the other day, I ran across this old woman. I will apologize to redlinerobert ahead of time: But I bet the old lady was flat after you ran across her too. Sorry---cabin fever. ;D Quote
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