Johnson Tangle Free

[OCauto]

Since 1983 when they began the Graphite cases, They have designated some of their reels as "Tangle-Free"
It is puzzling that a closed face reel could get tangled unless the line got under the spinner head. Dick Braun mentioned that and I am in agreement. The piece of this puzzle that is missing is Johnson communicating a feature that makes the reels tangle free. In all of my catalogs, they never fail to publish new features about a reel. Dick mentioned that adding a second pick up might accomplish that. I have only found a few reels that had Tangle Free printed on the reels and they were graphite body reels. In my 1988 Catalog Johnson referred to most of it's reels as Tangle-Free again without mentioning any features that made it Tangle-Free. Would/should we assume that it was nothing more than a Johnson Marketing Ploy? What say you?

[Midway Tommy D]

Would/should we assume that it was nothing more than a Johnson Marketing Ploy? What say you?

That would be it in my opinion, but supposedly they came up with a revolutionary "DriveTrain Drag System" where the spool didn't slip and create line twist. Never had one to dissect to see how that all happens.

[OCauto]

Tommy, Research reveals that incorporation of the "Drive Train Drag System" was the initial feature that sprouted the "Tangle-Free" Moniker. It slowed down spool to prevent tangles.

[OCauto]

In 1983, Johnson introduced a graphite composite reel body/foot, replacing the cast metal unit used in their earlier reels. The graphite reels had what Johnson called "drive train drag", which they claimed eliminated spool slip that caused line tangles. In catalogs and advertising, these reels were called "Tangle-Free".
The 1983 model line consisted of these reels:
Sprint 445, Century Pro 345 rated for 14 lb. line
Force 525, Century 225 rated for 10 lb. line
Century Lite 125, Spirit III rated for 10 lb. line
Uni-Spin 7256, Uni-Spin Lite 7155 rated for 10 lb. line
The 445 and 345 were larger than the other models, 525,225 and 125 were much alike, the Spirit model had a shorter back cover. The Uni-Spins were an under-the-rod model that could only be used on the rod they came from the factory with, because the line-release pushbutton was on top of the rod.
By 1987, several changes were made in model names and new models added. The Sabra 545 was a very large reel rated for 17 lb. line. The Sprint 445 was still available, but it's 14 lb. line companion was now the 710. The 525 and 225 were unchanged, but the Century Lite 125 was now rated for 8 lb. line. A new model was the Crappie Pro 230, rated for 6 lb. line. Uni-Spin 7256 was unchanged, but the smaller version was now called Crappie Spin 730, rated for 6 lb. line.
1989 brought major changes to the lineup and model names. The "tangle-free" feature was emphasized in the names.
TF 17 Sabra 17 lb. line
TF 14 14 lb. line
TF 10 Century 10 lb. line
TF 8 8 lb. line
Crappie Pro 230 and Crappie Spin 730 continued to be offered, rated for 6 lb. line. The larger Uni-Spin was discontinued and with the exception of the Crappie reels, only one model was offered in each line test weight size.
In 1992, the 1989 model line-up was joined by TF 8 Plus and TF 10 Plus. The Plus series claimed improvements to the spool and body/foot design and heavier gears and drag system.
In 1993, the "Sabra " name was dropped from the TF 17 and the "Century" name was removed from the TF 10. The original 1983 front and back covers and push button were replaced with Plus style covers and push buttons on all models. A new model was Century 2000, which had all of the Plus series features and selective "pulse retrieve", which claimed to send a fish-attracting low-frequency vibration through the line during retrieve.
I believe the 1993 model line-up was offered until 1997, when production was moved to China.

[Midway Tommy D]

Nice research documentation, Al.

[OCauto]

Thank you Tommy