[bonefish41]

In the meantime, the Korean plant has met (and some people say exceeded) former English quality standards, and as of January 1, 2008, all Angel Mark II reels will be clearly labelled and made in Korea. I have seen prototype examples of these reels and they are superb in every way. As I am sure you are aware, this is only a foretaste of things to come, as Korea, China and Japan have become the factories for the world, and from cameras to cars they have excelled in this role at far less cost than European and North American companies have been able to achieve".

Frank and I are of one mind we don't fish chinese copies...and for me even if the hardy had a price tag of 150 i would not but at their 350 plus that's as absurd as nike's $180 shoes... that said the above quote is only accurate as to china and korea it is not as to japan their manufacturing costs equal or exceeds ours...for example Shimano reels made in japan...the quote over generalizes japanese cars are not cheap and as for cameras a wally mart or entry level digi made in a territory not yet admiited to the UN ain't the same as those shooting for SI...AP or Getty they are using the most expensive glass and boxes in the world made in japan not gorea or china...japanese professional quality glass is not cheap...it is the best and it is expensive

back on topic...albiet not flyfishing...Accurate and more particularly Avet make in the US in the state of california which if one gallon of their used cutting fluid hits the ground and ground water outside their plant all execs would be doing hard time in the Q...exceptionally fine machined saltwater conventional spooled reels whose quality and design exceeds that of comparable Shimanos and Avet does it at significantly lower price to the consumer...it can be done and is being done...forget the wage differential just impose the comparable cost factors of EPA and workmen's comp as in this country and watch the price of their goods look like the Xmas Neiman Marcus catalogue...what does it cost to kill a chinese machine shop worker making copies compared to the same worker in California making originals...