Update: My D. SLater Wood Reel Arrived today

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Monkeypaws
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Update: My D. SLater Wood Reel Arrived today

Post by Monkeypaws »

Well I received my first wooden fly reel in the mail today. It is a 1889 D. Slater Model 274. The reel is in great shape for being 129 years old. After a quick inspection all I had to do is clean the wood, brass and apply some Alkanet root oil. The reel has a nice strong clicker and will work well on one of my vintage bamboo fly rods. The reel diameter is about 3" and is surprisingly lightweight.





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Midway Tommy D
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Re: Update: My D. SLater Wood Reel Arrived today

Post by Midway Tommy D »

That turned out really nice! :cool
Love those Open Face Spinning Reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco)

Tom DeLong, NE
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john elder
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Re: Update: My D. SLater Wood Reel Arrived today

Post by john elder »

Beautiful!!! Elegant, albeit simple construction! Nice score!
ORCA member since 1999
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Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
Stef Duma
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Re: Update: My D. SLater Wood Reel Arrived today

Post by Stef Duma »

I will reply here to this post and a post you put on Classic Reels

I have 7 Slater catalogues hence the reason I can identify them easily ranging from 1887 to 1914.

This phone shot is from the 1911 catalogue.

[img]
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I don't know who told you it was 1889 but I think they are incorrect, 1910 era certainly and still very old.

Personally I am not a fan of polished reels and it certainly is a matter of opinion, friends have the problem with what their wives will allow on show and a polished reel certainly scores higher than a dirty scruffy one. However Slater did not polish his reels they were lacquered brass like most makers were. I have over the years tried to reproduce the effect but have come nowhere near. One guy did with a finish that was a horological lacquered one. Not quite there but very close.

Its a very fine line we tread over the condition of our reels.

Here is a reel Nottingham made approx 200 years old that will be featured in the Book Men of Trent due out next month.
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Re: Update: My D. SLater Wood Reel Arrived today

Post by Stef Duma »

I forgot the image.




Brass bindings on the rims.
Monkeypaws
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Re: Update: My D. SLater Wood Reel Arrived today

Post by Monkeypaws »

Thank you so much for the update. When I tell people historical information, I like the detail to be correct. I look forward to the new book coming out.
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