Looks very nice. I admire your work and love the reels.
Jim
A Classic Titanium reel
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Re: A Classic Titanium reel
#121Then as it was, then again it will be. Though the course may change sometimes, rivers always reach the sea. - Led Zeppelin, 10 Years Gone
http://www.splittingcane.com
http://www.splittingcane.com
Re: A Classic Titanium reel
#122Thank you Jim!SpringCreek wrote:Looks very nice. I admire your work and love the reels.
Jim
Vlad @ VR Design
http://www.vr-reels.com
http://www.vr-reels.com
The NEW Spitfire 3/1 Ti Wide Drum
#124As I mentioned in my short write up on Vlad's new Alu reel design, the Trutta Perfection, I had the same opportunity to play for awhile with Vlad's latest Ti reel design, the NEW Spitfire 3/1 Ti Wide Drum. I promised to move it along and it's now with Gary Siemer and available for sale. No financial interest, yada, yada.
Titanium is not for everyone. Raised pillars are not for everyone. Wide Drums are not for everyone. Not everyone needs a high capacity 6wt or a drag to slow down a hot sea run fish. But, if these things speak to you, look no further. This isone solid reel and just a fine, fine piece of kit. It's just that simple.
If you click around for a few minutes you will see what I saw and then asked Vlad: "So is this reel basically a cross between the original Spitfire and the Triton?" Answer: yes. Except that this one is approximately 2 full ounces lighter (7.46oz on my scale) than the Triton, which opens additional possibilities depending on how you like your rig to balance.
Gary has written up a nice description on his site with the deets and the typical excellent photos, so I won't repeat that info here.
However, I want to comment on two things, the drag and the spool. The AVCARB disc drag is very smooth, reminiscent of Charlton, though with a little quicker adjustment perhaps, which might make it a tiny bit harder to make ultra fine adjustments. This may be just a function of the small drag knob or the drag itself. It's very, very good, but Charlton might edge it out. Didn't have one on me to do a direct comparison. Does it maintain it's settings after a long day of fishing and landing some nice ones? Don't know for sure as I didn't fish this one either, but based on what I have heard or read about his other AVCARB reels, this is a non-issue.
The true innovation on this reel is the exposed internal drag rim. The spool diameter is just a hair (like a few thou) larger than the diameter of the frame. You can keep your hand on the grip and reach a finger down or you can hold rod with one hand and put a finger, thumb, whatever, on the spool rim and apply pressure. You could do this with either hand, too, though probably safest to use the back plate side of the frame. Again, I have to admit that I didn't actually use the reel on a running summer steelhead, but it appears to be an eminently sensible approach and just holding the reel and turning the handle I was able to almost stop the reel from turning with a single finger, so lots of available drag literally at the finger tips if you prefer a light knob setting but need to ramp up the stopping power in a hurry and *don't* wanna bust your knuckles. To repeat what I wrote back to Vlad: "The internal palming spool is ingenious and yet so obvious it almost defies belief that it hasn't really presented prior in history. I find that is often a hallmark of truly great innovations. Very smart." Perhaps there have been internal exposed spools before that I just don't know about. And perhaps it is the strength of the Ti alloy that has finally permitted this arrangement to work. Whatever. This one is slick, looks great, and works great.
Worth a peek if you have the need and like the aesthetics.
Titanium is not for everyone. Raised pillars are not for everyone. Wide Drums are not for everyone. Not everyone needs a high capacity 6wt or a drag to slow down a hot sea run fish. But, if these things speak to you, look no further. This isone solid reel and just a fine, fine piece of kit. It's just that simple.
If you click around for a few minutes you will see what I saw and then asked Vlad: "So is this reel basically a cross between the original Spitfire and the Triton?" Answer: yes. Except that this one is approximately 2 full ounces lighter (7.46oz on my scale) than the Triton, which opens additional possibilities depending on how you like your rig to balance.
Gary has written up a nice description on his site with the deets and the typical excellent photos, so I won't repeat that info here.
However, I want to comment on two things, the drag and the spool. The AVCARB disc drag is very smooth, reminiscent of Charlton, though with a little quicker adjustment perhaps, which might make it a tiny bit harder to make ultra fine adjustments. This may be just a function of the small drag knob or the drag itself. It's very, very good, but Charlton might edge it out. Didn't have one on me to do a direct comparison. Does it maintain it's settings after a long day of fishing and landing some nice ones? Don't know for sure as I didn't fish this one either, but based on what I have heard or read about his other AVCARB reels, this is a non-issue.
The true innovation on this reel is the exposed internal drag rim. The spool diameter is just a hair (like a few thou) larger than the diameter of the frame. You can keep your hand on the grip and reach a finger down or you can hold rod with one hand and put a finger, thumb, whatever, on the spool rim and apply pressure. You could do this with either hand, too, though probably safest to use the back plate side of the frame. Again, I have to admit that I didn't actually use the reel on a running summer steelhead, but it appears to be an eminently sensible approach and just holding the reel and turning the handle I was able to almost stop the reel from turning with a single finger, so lots of available drag literally at the finger tips if you prefer a light knob setting but need to ramp up the stopping power in a hurry and *don't* wanna bust your knuckles. To repeat what I wrote back to Vlad: "The internal palming spool is ingenious and yet so obvious it almost defies belief that it hasn't really presented prior in history. I find that is often a hallmark of truly great innovations. Very smart." Perhaps there have been internal exposed spools before that I just don't know about. And perhaps it is the strength of the Ti alloy that has finally permitted this arrangement to work. Whatever. This one is slick, looks great, and works great.
Worth a peek if you have the need and like the aesthetics.
Re: A Classic Titanium reel
#126The "Prince George Perfect" 2 5/8" Titanium fly reel
Vlad @ VR Design
http://www.vr-reels.com
http://www.vr-reels.com
Re: A Classic Titanium reel
#127Hi to all! My previous post was more than one year ago... long time! I remember that we had a very constructive and useful discussions regarding my previous reels so I decided to ask your valuable opinion again regarding my new 3" trout reel design. It is Trutta Perfetta 3". There are Titanium and a less expensive Aluminum version.
Also I have completely renovated my old web site so also looking forward to you comments/ suggestions/ proposals!
https://www.vr-reels.com/
Happy Holidays and thank you so much!
Also I have completely renovated my old web site so also looking forward to you comments/ suggestions/ proposals!
https://www.vr-reels.com/
Happy Holidays and thank you so much!
Vlad @ VR Design
http://www.vr-reels.com
http://www.vr-reels.com