Hi all. Just waiting for half a bottle of red to kick in
And was pondering that since I've been back on here
Rod support fashion has gone from arguably technically
Superior stainless. To anything black.
But what ever happened to that place that was doing the
Dove grey stuff? Was it Jag?
I looked but it was black or stainless. They did do
grey?
And was pondering that since I've been back on here
Rod support fashion has gone from arguably technically
Superior stainless. To anything black.
But what ever happened to that place that was doing the
Dove grey stuff? Was it Jag?
I looked but it was black or stainless. They did do
grey?
In reply to Post #1
They did but it was discontinued
But they are re releasing some items again
They did but it was discontinued
But they are re releasing some items again
In reply to Post #1
They did do grey
I think most people decided not to carry 10kg of metalware when you could take 2kg for less money (with some exceptions)
They did do grey
I think most people decided not to carry 10kg of metalware when you could take 2kg for less money (with some exceptions)
In reply to Post #1
I'm not sure that stainless is better to be honest. I can't think of a reason why I'd go back to it. Actually I would say from my personal experience that stainless has been making a bit of a come back. But I don't think it offers anything over the other available offerings.
I'm not sure that stainless is better to be honest. I can't think of a reason why I'd go back to it. Actually I would say from my personal experience that stainless has been making a bit of a come back. But I don't think it offers anything over the other available offerings.
I've got a Matrix Slinky pod and it's not too heavy with the sticks only being 12mm - saying that I use my old fox xpod on the long walks to one lake.
If I could turn the clock back, I wouldn't buy stainless again, I go for light items wherever possible now.
If I could turn the clock back, I wouldn't buy stainless again, I go for light items wherever possible now.
Never liked the black stuff, looks cheap and scratches easily and then looks crap. Stainless all the way for me, i like shiny things. I also dont like all these all black rods and reels either, they look like budget rods and reels but thats just my opinion of course. They must be popular or they wouldnt make them.
In reply to Post #6
I use both stainless and aluminium stuff as the situation dictates but i must admit i still love my nev stainless, had it 20 odd years and it still looks the nuts
I use both stainless and aluminium stuff as the situation dictates but i must admit i still love my nev stainless, had it 20 odd years and it still looks the nuts
I've got the 316 super compact again I dont find it too heavy sticks and buzzbars go in my aqua buzz bar pouch and base goes in side pocket on my roving rucksack.Ive always been a stainless person in my eyes it's more robust and that little bit extra weight means you havent got to anchor it down if fishing snags
In reply to Post #6
Thought I was the only one that thought the black rods/reels look budget!
Black reels in particular remind me of the old plastic spare spools you'd get on budget reela years ago. Silver metal spool all the way for me.
Thought I was the only one that thought the black rods/reels look budget!
Black reels in particular remind me of the old plastic spare spools you'd get on budget reela years ago. Silver metal spool all the way for me.
jags prolite black doesnt scratch easy at all, fox and cygnet suff is a right mess after a few sessions pushing in the ground but the jag stuff is really durable
In reply to Post #10
Nothing wrong with stainless, just moved over to a complete Solar P1 setup, well built and a lot lighter than my Chub Precision Stainless set.
Never liked aluminum stuff, but it's all preference.
Nothing wrong with stainless, just moved over to a complete Solar P1 setup, well built and a lot lighter than my Chub Precision Stainless set.
Never liked aluminum stuff, but it's all preference.
In reply to Post #1
Sadly its when todays anglers often attach more importance into how some think LOOKS ? rather that how well it works
its really sads IMO you see it in every bit of tackle ? someone says thinking of getting say blah blah alarms
and instead of a reply detailing how well or not it works
someone will post I think they look ugly ???????? I just think what a plank
Sadly its when todays anglers often attach more importance into how some think LOOKS ? rather that how well it works
its really sads IMO you see it in every bit of tackle ? someone says thinking of getting say blah blah alarms
and instead of a reply detailing how well or not it works
someone will post I think they look ugly ???????? I just think what a plank
In reply to Post #1
Nothing wrong with stainless, but I agree on the bank there is a fixation on what looks good rather than what works well.
Makes me laugh at how all the major reel manufacturer's have all gone black and at the same time cheapened the look if not the operability of stuff too.
I had a Defiant MPS Trident pod for easy 20 years and without doubt a fantastic piece of kit, easily the best made stainless anything I've ever owned.
I think the fact that when everyone is using slinky black products there is a perception that stainless has had its day, but I couldn't give a sh%t, I will still use it provided it continues to serve my needs.
Nothing wrong with stainless, but I agree on the bank there is a fixation on what looks good rather than what works well.
Makes me laugh at how all the major reel manufacturer's have all gone black and at the same time cheapened the look if not the operability of stuff too.
I had a Defiant MPS Trident pod for easy 20 years and without doubt a fantastic piece of kit, easily the best made stainless anything I've ever owned.
I think the fact that when everyone is using slinky black products there is a perception that stainless has had its day, but I couldn't give a sh%t, I will still use it provided it continues to serve my needs.
In reply to Post #12
Yeah but those NTXRs are ugly.
Yeah but those NTXRs are ugly.
The only reason I got rid of my Solar stainless stuff was the weight, it weighed a ton, the Jag grey stuff I have is just as robust but a fraction of the weight, maybe that's why stainless went out of fashion
In reply to Post #1
There is a very good reason for metal i.e stainless over carbon, and that is stainless is stronger, not quite so easy to break.
As much as I like the thought of nice and light on a long walk, I would be worried about breaking carbon sticks on the bank. It only takes a slip and falling on a carbon bankstick and you have a nice set of splinters.
Plus pushing carbon sticks into some of the hard ground swims on my waters could be grinding the 'point' and breaking it.
Nice to have a lovely carbon pod, but again the weight of the pod is useful in itself, so I prefer stainless.
There is a very good reason for metal i.e stainless over carbon, and that is stainless is stronger, not quite so easy to break.
As much as I like the thought of nice and light on a long walk, I would be worried about breaking carbon sticks on the bank. It only takes a slip and falling on a carbon bankstick and you have a nice set of splinters.
Plus pushing carbon sticks into some of the hard ground swims on my waters could be grinding the 'point' and breaking it.
Nice to have a lovely carbon pod, but again the weight of the pod is useful in itself, so I prefer stainless.
In reply to Post #15
I never found the weight an issue with stainless. I used to use a jag compact 316 pod with 4 banksticks and i wouldn't of been able to notice any difference if i had a prolite version in my rucksack instead of a stainless one when everything else was in there.
I never found the weight an issue with stainless. I used to use a jag compact 316 pod with 4 banksticks and i wouldn't of been able to notice any difference if i had a prolite version in my rucksack instead of a stainless one when everything else was in there.
In reply to Post #1
As someone in a big name tackle shop said a pod needs to be heavy so it is stable and don't fall over stainless of course is heavier but as someone on here said it still looks and works good after 20 years I wonder what the black will look like in 20 years
As someone in a big name tackle shop said a pod needs to be heavy so it is stable and don't fall over stainless of course is heavier but as someone on here said it still looks and works good after 20 years I wonder what the black will look like in 20 years
In reply to Post #18
Yes agree weight can help a lot to keep it all secure.
Tried black stuff , carbon stuff,ali stuff and all in the bin destroyed too flimsy and prone to breaking no good in the middle of nowhere
Heavy duty rock solid stainless for me lasts a lifetime too.
Yes agree weight can help a lot to keep it all secure.
Tried black stuff , carbon stuff,ali stuff and all in the bin destroyed too flimsy and prone to breaking no good in the middle of nowhere
Heavy duty rock solid stainless for me lasts a lifetime too.
In reply to Post #18
There's no way I'd feel confident knocking in a few carbon sticks into hard ground in the same way I do with a set of Keith Fieldings augured 316 stainless sticks. I doubt they'd last 5 minutes.
Also how long will the pins last between the carbon and metal?
Funny how people follow a bandwagon. I think by far the way forward is going to be titanium, not that it's any different in appearance to stainless but it's as strong and lightweight.
I think if I did buy any black stuff it would chip in no time.
Stainless all the way 👍
There's no way I'd feel confident knocking in a few carbon sticks into hard ground in the same way I do with a set of Keith Fieldings augured 316 stainless sticks. I doubt they'd last 5 minutes.
Also how long will the pins last between the carbon and metal?
Funny how people follow a bandwagon. I think by far the way forward is going to be titanium, not that it's any different in appearance to stainless but it's as strong and lightweight.
I think if I did buy any black stuff it would chip in no time.
Stainless all the way 👍
In reply to Post #1
I've had Chris Brown stuff for 30+ years, still have my original bars and banksticks. Yes it's black and aluminium but it's as simple and bullet proof as you can get, but then I grew up in the era when to be 'ultra cult' everything had to be black, if it wasn't black when you bought it then you painted it!
I have a set of titanium banksticks and a stainless pod but they rarely get used.
I've had Chris Brown stuff for 30+ years, still have my original bars and banksticks. Yes it's black and aluminium but it's as simple and bullet proof as you can get, but then I grew up in the era when to be 'ultra cult' everything had to be black, if it wasn't black when you bought it then you painted it!
I have a set of titanium banksticks and a stainless pod but they rarely get used.
In reply to Post #19
👍😎 get some weight ,solar is all you need,
👍😎 get some weight ,solar is all you need,
In reply to Post #21
When I was a noddy in the early 80's the carp anglers covered all the gear with black insulation tape.
Bank sticks, landing net poles, gas canisters, chair legs and tackle boxes.
When I was a noddy in the early 80's the carp anglers covered all the gear with black insulation tape.
Bank sticks, landing net poles, gas canisters, chair legs and tackle boxes.
In reply to Post #16
Exactly.
Although carbon fibre is very strong for its weight, it is very brittle, susceptible to breakage at section changes and very intolerant of impacts.
If your kit goes on a barrow then my in my view it's an inferior product over stainless (for this use) as it's weight saving is more than offset by the above disadvantages
If you are carrying your kit then titanium might be justified but you certainly pay for that privilege
Exactly.
Although carbon fibre is very strong for its weight, it is very brittle, susceptible to breakage at section changes and very intolerant of impacts.
If your kit goes on a barrow then my in my view it's an inferior product over stainless (for this use) as it's weight saving is more than offset by the above disadvantages
If you are carrying your kit then titanium might be justified but you certainly pay for that privilege
In reply to Post #24
Defiant mps,quality and no dearer than the likes of jag.Its the best bankware I have owned
Defiant mps,quality and no dearer than the likes of jag.Its the best bankware I have owned
In reply to Post #25
I had one of the original Steve Neville ones, that baby wasn't going anywhere when set up. Probably reduced my bag weight by 25% when I sold it lol. Cracking piece of kit though.
I had one of the original Steve Neville ones, that baby wasn't going anywhere when set up. Probably reduced my bag weight by 25% when I sold it lol. Cracking piece of kit though.
It is with me. Trying to avoid being the skint bloke with the large hernia and slipped discs. How much?
In reply to Post #24
With weight, a lot of anglers are quick to say "it's only a couple of kilos", but once you start that you quickly end up with 20kgs of extra weight on the barrow.
I bought the cheap cygnet stuff years back and have replaced a lot less than I thought I would
With weight, a lot of anglers are quick to say "it's only a couple of kilos", but once you start that you quickly end up with 20kgs of extra weight on the barrow.
I bought the cheap cygnet stuff years back and have replaced a lot less than I thought I would
As bankware is something that is designed to be pushed/hammered(?!) into gravelly hard ground, and remain stable when supporting 3 rods and overly massive reels, then stainless in my eyes is the only logical option.
I used jag prolite to save on weight, and although it is robust for aluminium, it still doesn't have that satisfying solid feel to it. I then momentarily flirted with Century carbon, and after one session and shoving the pretty carbon sticks into gravel, I see the light and sold it. MPE titanium was excellent and I regretfully sold it as I was made an offer I couldn't refuse.
I'm now back to faithful Jag stainless, and although it may have added an extra pound or two to my kit, I know that it'll out last me!
I used jag prolite to save on weight, and although it is robust for aluminium, it still doesn't have that satisfying solid feel to it. I then momentarily flirted with Century carbon, and after one session and shoving the pretty carbon sticks into gravel, I see the light and sold it. MPE titanium was excellent and I regretfully sold it as I was made an offer I couldn't refuse.
I'm now back to faithful Jag stainless, and although it may have added an extra pound or two to my kit, I know that it'll out last me!
Didn't realise there was a suggestion that stainless may of gone out of fashion. Just shows how much out of touch I am
I use a bit of stainless and some ali'. Either original solar Sticks or some cheaper lighter stainless for the back rests and Fox camloc for the fronts. Use a pod once in a while but try to avoid using it if possible.. Its an ally one and tbh it's a joke.
In reply to Post #1
Feel more like a dinosaur now, thanks for that
I've not used Ali since the 80s and wont ever again given a choice. Coated, not for me, simply wont stay tidy over the length of time I take to change stuff.
I have betrayed the love of my 17 year old Solar stainless Sod with a Titanium Panther from Keith at Defiant, it still feels wrong at times, but 1 thing for sure, both will outlast me and any trends that hapoen inbetween.....or so he says
Feel more like a dinosaur now, thanks for that
I've not used Ali since the 80s and wont ever again given a choice. Coated, not for me, simply wont stay tidy over the length of time I take to change stuff.
I have betrayed the love of my 17 year old Solar stainless Sod with a Titanium Panther from Keith at Defiant, it still feels wrong at times, but 1 thing for sure, both will outlast me and any trends that hapoen inbetween.....or so he says
In reply to Post #21
I have the Chris brown Bars and banksticks, brilliant aren't they, Much prefer them to the stainless I had before them
I have the Chris brown Bars and banksticks, brilliant aren't they, Much prefer them to the stainless I had before them
I use Steve Neville FO stainless, brilliant kit but weighs a ton !!!
I'd use ali or carbon over stainless due to weight but titanium is superior to the lot imo. Strong, light and sexy.
if you want a light and mobile approach then the stainless is the first thing to go imo.
I put together a small light setup for my son. which cunningly works for me on my bike too.
i really liked the weight and look of his little Nash KNX 2 rod pod. But its tiny and 9 foot dwarf rods still have the butt ring
on the far side of the alarm. it worked fine for my local club lake with a fish a week. but last week at a runs water its stability was an issue.
one time it just fell over when one rod was removed. another time when there was a take. and it was tricky to put rods back on after playing a fish, i like to slacken the clutch and put it back on the support when dealing with a fish. Twice we we had the rods shoot forward. it didn't help that i was running between swims I admit. but it did make me appreciate how stable my wide sawn off MPS Trident is. You can stumble into it and the only thing that cares is your leg.
This is his swim. I reeled in eventually as he went to bed lol
i really liked the weight and look of his little Nash KNX 2 rod pod. But its tiny and 9 foot dwarf rods still have the butt ring
on the far side of the alarm. it worked fine for my local club lake with a fish a week. but last week at a runs water its stability was an issue.
one time it just fell over when one rod was removed. another time when there was a take. and it was tricky to put rods back on after playing a fish, i like to slacken the clutch and put it back on the support when dealing with a fish. Twice we we had the rods shoot forward. it didn't help that i was running between swims I admit. but it did make me appreciate how stable my wide sawn off MPS Trident is. You can stumble into it and the only thing that cares is your leg.
This is his swim. I reeled in eventually as he went to bed lol
In reply to Post #37
I've had a similar problem with a light pod.
Two bank sticks and two buzz bars would be more stable and less to carry.
If you think the ground might be too hard then take a spike of some sort to make a lead hole. Alternatively use stainless or titanium.
I've had a similar problem with a light pod.
Two bank sticks and two buzz bars would be more stable and less to carry.
If you think the ground might be too hard then take a spike of some sort to make a lead hole. Alternatively use stainless or titanium.
In reply to Post #38
Quality stainless will last a lifetime, aluminium won't. Maybe that's why a lot of manufacturers are cutting down on the amount of stainless that they produce as it lasts too long which isn't beneficial to their profit margin. They want anglers buying new gear frequently which is why there isn't much produced nowadays that is built to last
Quality stainless will last a lifetime, aluminium won't. Maybe that's why a lot of manufacturers are cutting down on the amount of stainless that they produce as it lasts too long which isn't beneficial to their profit margin. They want anglers buying new gear frequently which is why there isn't much produced nowadays that is built to last
In reply to Post #39
That depends what grade stainless or Ali is used, there are many varieties of both
That depends what grade stainless or Ali is used, there are many varieties of both
In reply to Post #39
Assuming it is looked after there is no reason that any of the decent hard anodised ali options wont last a lifetime. Even if the coating is scratched, ali doesn't rust like steel. Aluminium oxide will form which actually protects the ali.
But it is a simple fact that ali is nowhere near as strong as stainless.
Assuming it is looked after there is no reason that any of the decent hard anodised ali options wont last a lifetime. Even if the coating is scratched, ali doesn't rust like steel. Aluminium oxide will form which actually protects the ali.
But it is a simple fact that ali is nowhere near as strong as stainless.
In reply to Post #41
I've bent several titanium pent pegs pushing them int o hard ground. Never happened with stainless (I think it would be impossible) so I'm personally not convinced by titanium.
edit: sorry not directed at your post Yonny just a general comment
I've bent several titanium pent pegs pushing them int o hard ground. Never happened with stainless (I think it would be impossible) so I'm personally not convinced by titanium.
edit: sorry not directed at your post Yonny just a general comment
In reply to Post #42
There are different grades of titanium (just like different grades of stainless) some are soft, but like for like titanium is stronger and lighter than stainless.
For banksticks as has already been said stainless is heavy i personally use titanium and have done for many years now with no probs what so ever, it certainly has advantages over stainless and carbon and a lot of aluminium sticks although there are some very good ally sticks about to name one jag would be my preference
There are different grades of titanium (just like different grades of stainless) some are soft, but like for like titanium is stronger and lighter than stainless.
For banksticks as has already been said stainless is heavy i personally use titanium and have done for many years now with no probs what so ever, it certainly has advantages over stainless and carbon and a lot of aluminium sticks although there are some very good ally sticks about to name one jag would be my preference
In reply to Post #38
Ive got screw in stainless on the Trident but I always use the pod. The ground is always rock hard
Or compacted hardcore under bark. Ive seen videos of it being screwed into tarmac. But
When ive tried that its ages of sweating and pain in the hands.
I havent used buzz bars for years . Has anyone eliminated the twist!?
Ive got screw in stainless on the Trident but I always use the pod. The ground is always rock hard
Or compacted hardcore under bark. Ive seen videos of it being screwed into tarmac. But
When ive tried that its ages of sweating and pain in the hands.
I havent used buzz bars for years . Has anyone eliminated the twist!?
In reply to Post #44
I got rid of buzz bar twist by firstly using a stabilizer then i machined two slots on the top of my sticks that perfectly fit a 13mm spanner with this nipped up against the buzz bar it will never twist.
Other companies have achieved similar by different methods, i know defiant mps now offer a hex insert on their sticks so the locking screw locks up against a flat surface
I got rid of buzz bar twist by firstly using a stabilizer then i machined two slots on the top of my sticks that perfectly fit a 13mm spanner with this nipped up against the buzz bar it will never twist.
Other companies have achieved similar by different methods, i know defiant mps now offer a hex insert on their sticks so the locking screw locks up against a flat surface
In reply to Post #39
You could be right,
I've stainless kit that is at least 40 years old, I can't see carbon fibre or aluminium lasting anything like that time unless it's used very carefully.
If want robust kit that saves weight and don't mind paying the price then it has to beTitanium.
As Woody says all you need is a flat, even so a bit of twist would still be better than trying to retrieve everything from the lake.
You could be right,
I've stainless kit that is at least 40 years old, I can't see carbon fibre or aluminium lasting anything like that time unless it's used very carefully.
If want robust kit that saves weight and don't mind paying the price then it has to beTitanium.
As Woody says all you need is a flat, even so a bit of twist would still be better than trying to retrieve everything from the lake.
In reply to Post #42
I also bent one of my Ti pegs Pizza but woody is right - Ti is harder/stronger than SS.
Edit: I seem to remember seeing a quote from Keith @ MPS which told me Ti is X times stronger and X times lighter than SS. Can't remember where I saw it though. I'm sure it was something along the lines of half the weight and twice the strength?
Hopefully Keith will see this and share the knowledge?
I also bent one of my Ti pegs Pizza but woody is right - Ti is harder/stronger than SS.
Edit: I seem to remember seeing a quote from Keith @ MPS which told me Ti is X times stronger and X times lighter than SS. Can't remember where I saw it though. I'm sure it was something along the lines of half the weight and twice the strength?
Hopefully Keith will see this and share the knowledge?
In reply to Post #47
I have to disagree with Keith to some extent. Ultimately the strongest stainless is stronger than titanium.
I think I'm right in saying Titanium has the best strength per weight of any metal though.
I have to disagree with Keith to some extent. Ultimately the strongest stainless is stronger than titanium.
I think I'm right in saying Titanium has the best strength per weight of any metal though.
In reply to Post #48
You may well be right buddy but fishing gear doesn't use the hardest grades of stainless. It's your standard 316's etc.
You can actually get heat treated martensitic stainless (we use it at my work) which is twice the hardness of your 316's etc, but the corrosion resistance aint as good.
You may well be right buddy but fishing gear doesn't use the hardest grades of stainless. It's your standard 316's etc.
You can actually get heat treated martensitic stainless (we use it at my work) which is twice the hardness of your 316's etc, but the corrosion resistance aint as good.
In reply to Post #48
Most of the stainless used in fishing that i have seen is 304 and 316 which in my opinion isn't as strong or light as titanium.
At work we use a lot of 4 series stainless which are harder more wearing etc but suffer other traits such as brittleness, and you would be surprised as to what can wear this out.
Most of the stainless used in fishing that i have seen is 304 and 316 which in my opinion isn't as strong or light as titanium.
At work we use a lot of 4 series stainless which are harder more wearing etc but suffer other traits such as brittleness, and you would be surprised as to what can wear this out.
In reply to Post #50
Just to clarify I was only pointing out that you can get stainless stronger than titanium, obviously not fishing grades though as you and Yonny pointed out.
As I said in post 46, titanium is the ultimate for strength and lightness which I think we all agree on.
Just to clarify I was only pointing out that you can get stainless stronger than titanium, obviously not fishing grades though as you and Yonny pointed out.
As I said in post 46, titanium is the ultimate for strength and lightness which I think we all agree on.
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