[wildturkey]

For the past two years various Hardy reel frames and spools were manufactured by a precision engineering company in County Durham,England.The CNC machines as well as all the tooling were provided by Hardy Greys. It was at this time that "Made in England" was removed from the reels. This company has now stopped manufacture and the CNC machines are currently being removed.All Hardy Angel reels therefore were made in England with the final assembly being carried out in Alnwick.Angel 2 reels are made in Korea and -I think-are cheaper in the UK than their predecessor.

[Joe D]

It's too bad that Hardy, Sage, Orvis, some Ross, and others moved their manufacturing overseas. Pressure from the imported stuff sold by retailers like Cabelas has put pressure on these companies in much the same way that Wal-Mart pressured other US retailers to follow suit.

[Joe D]

Originally Posted by Frank Whiton

Sage, and Orvis have always been companies that sold other companie's reels with their brand name.

Frank,

I don't know about Sage, but Orvis made many of their own reels at British Reel Reels which they owned. This included the CFO and Battenkill reels The Sci. Angler System reels were made at the same factory, with I believe some others. So historically, Orvis has been one of those companies that made reels for others.

[burk48237]

Originally Posted by Joe D

Frank,

I don't know about Sage, but Orvis made many of their own reels at British Reel Reels which they owned. This included the CFO and Battenkill reels The Sci. Angler System reels were made at the same factory, with I believe some others. So historically, Orvis has been one of those companies that made reels for others.

I don't believe so. I think Orvis had part ownership of BFR for while, but they weren't the majority owners. The Scientific Angler ORIGINAL System reel were most definitely Hardy. In fact Hardy used the same design for the Marquis. The later System ones and twos were BFR. And many of the Orvis reels (CFO's and Battenkills) were Hardys, Sage, Sci Anglers, and LL Bean also bought Hardy Reels. Lamson also made a lot of Orvis, some Sage and LL Bean reels. By the time Orvis had Majority ownership of BFR I don't believe they were making reels for any other label. And Orvis moved BFR offshore fairly quickly to Indonesia, I believe.

[Silver Doc]

I've noticed that the Angel reel that I bought in Scotland has the markings "Made in England." The later models do not have the oountry in which they are made stamped on the. I think that Hardy has gone the way of all flesh and has them made overseas. Silver Doc

[Frank Whiton]

Hi to all,

My SA II has made in England on it. I used it in Alaska and it was a great but heavy reel. I still use it on an 8wt Sage rod.

I also have a Lamson reel that was the first that they sold under their own name. The had been making Orvis reels before that.

Frank

[flyflingerandy]

Ok, I have to weigh in on reels. For someone to spend $450 on a Korean Hardy Lightweight is ridiculous. It has no drag, as a click pawl is not a drag as it is a check. It has no palming rim. You could get a Lamson Litespeed (made in America) for as little as $279. If you are going to buy a high end reel, you do not need to go Hardy, although traditionally they are great reels, albeit now made in Korea. I will buy an Orvis Battenkill 3/4 before I purchase a Hardy. I will then spend the extra money on a TFO 2wt rod and SA line. Those are all made overseas (except the line), and are quality items with a great warranty, but without the prestige of a Hardy reel.

If you have the money to drop on an overpriced click pawl fly reel or a similarly overpriced disc reel that a comparable reel can be had for less, go ahead and do it. However, if money is an object, I would look elsewhere.

[Joe D]

Originally Posted by burk48237

I don't believe so. I think Orvis had part ownership of BFR for while, but they weren't the majority owners. The Scientific Angler ORIGINAL System reel were most definitely Hardy. In fact Hardy used the same design for the Marquis. The later System ones and twos were BFR. And many of the Orvis reels (CFO's and Battenkills) were Hardys, Sage, Sci Anglers, and LL Bean also bought Hardy Reels. Lamson also made a lot of Orvis, some Sage and LL Bean reels. By the time Orvis had Majority ownership of BFR I don't believe they were making reels for any other label. And Orvis moved BFR offshore fairly quickly to Indonesia, I believe.

burk48237,

Orvis purchased BFR in the early 90's... '92 or '93. They closed it a few years ago and have since moved their reel manufacturing to China after a brief stint in Korea. Early on for a short time Orvis CFO's were made by Hardy. The discontinued Orvis DXR was made by Lamson.