Starback reels, Does any one

[LuckyLuca]

Use these regularly?
As most of you will know I'm looking for my 1st centrepin. For some unknown reason I keep getting drawn into looking at starbacks. One of my earliest memories is spinning for pike in Ireland With my grandfather,back in the early 70's and I'm sure he gave my brother and I fixed spools but used one of these himself.

Do any of you still use these? Or are they best put in a Cabernet to be admired?

[Mark]

Have a look at these links Luckyluca, I still use both of my Nottingham reels.

http://www.traditionalfisherman.co.uk/v ... =80&t=2527

http://www.traditionalfisherman.co.uk/v ... ?f=60&t=75

http://www.traditionalfisherman.co.uk/v ... f=60&t=413

[LuckyLuca]

Those pictures of the starback on a cane rod just make me want one more! Thanks for the links!

[Vole]

Mine get an airing from time to time, too. Wood is more comfortable to hold than metal in winter!

[LuckyLuca]

If reel porn exists, then this is 18+

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-antiq ... 3a799ea32f

[Davyr]

Not that I know anything about such reels, but if that's a Victorian item, it's either been rather "over-restored" or has never seen the light of day - it looks brand new to me!

[LuckyLuca]

Yep, fantastic condition one way or the other. Oddly lacking in bids though. Either a duffer or last minute bid fest?

[Davyr]

Or a lot of suspicious so-and-so's like me around, who can't quite believe what they're seeing? That wood looks strangely modern to my eyes... :think:

For comparison, here are two photos (found on a Google search of the patent number) which do look genuine - note the difference in the colour of the wood:



Whoops - one has come out twice...

[Davyr]

I've just had a squint at a couple of other reels that seller has on eBay. I'd hazard a guess they're a non-angler and unaware that brass polished to that extent is likely to be off-putting to fish and traditional fishermen alike!

I expect the reel is genuine enough, but the brass has probably been chemically cleaned and the wood treated with a mahogany stain instead of leaving them with the honest patina of age.

[LuckyLuca]

Could be, 100% feed back, for the seller.
Pics of the back show old/unused holes suggests it not new. And that's a he'll of a lot of polishing for a fake. I wonder if it's genuine brass work with a donor spool?
Another one here EBay No 110948936366
I've put a little bid in, because if it's genuine it's a cracker, if not it looks usable.