My Favorite Kentucky Reel

[Doug Carpenter]

This reel was obtained at a Lexington, Kentucky yard sale in 1971.
There are no marks to identify the maker.
Each of the major parts are stamped with the number 5.


The diameter of the tail plate is 2 1/8 inches.
The gear box is 2 3/4 inches long.
The large external gear box produces a 5 to 1 retrieve ratio.
The handle grasp appears to be made from bone.
Two different color/types of brass were used in the construction.

[Paul M]

Awesome reel! Thanks for posting.

[John Savu]

That reel has alot going on !! Very nice !! John

[reelsmith.]

I think whoever came up with the saying "too cool" was talking about that reel.

Thanks for showing it off Doug.

I like it !

Dean.

[Mike N]

After 30+ years of reel collecting I don’t say this lightly: that is one of the coolest reels I’ve ever seen.

Mike N.

[Stef Duma]

Wow that is nice!

[bettybarr]

Doug, this is not only a very nice looking reel, but I bet it fished well. I would love to see the innards. Thank you for showing us your favorite.

[Jim Schottenham]

I have to agree with Dean - Too Cool!

Thanks for sharing.

[kyreels]

Doug, was the reel in the $5 bin? Maybe you can bring it to Bourbon and Reels tonight and tell us more. Thanks for sharing.

[Jay White]

Now that reel has character! I like it! Thanks for sharing!

[reeltackle]

I love the reels that just defy description. Amazing reel, if it could only talk!

[Steve]

Wow!!

[Mike N]

I love the reels that just defy description. Amazing reel, if it could only talk!

Ed-

It kind of looks like it can talk.

Mike N

[Midway Tommy D]

Most of y'all know I'm not much into "lashers" but this one sure did get my attention! That is one cool old reel! Thanks for letting us marvel at it Doug!

[leland99]

Doug, in today's vernacular, one might refer to that as a "rat rod" reel! Very cool, very interesting, thanks for sharing!!

[Teal]

Blown away. Incredible reel!

-- Dr. Todd

[Jay White]

That is one unique reel. I love it!! I would like to hold that one for just a few minutes. Beautiful!

[john elder]

Gasp! What a piece of history and given where you go to garage sales, that is a most interesting history, no doubt!

But what is up with this thread!! It shows as being a year old and resurrected by Dr Todd???! If thread is really a year old, what has happened with the reel since then? Has a mechropsy been performed???! Hey, i just invented the perfect word for this … i just crack me up!).

John