Pspaint,the newer reels are now being produced in China not Korea.

According to Orvis the entire factory was disassembled and moved from Britain to China where it was reassembled to cut labor costs.

With the exception of the reels being made by Chinese verses English laborers and not having the made in England emblem they are the identical reels.

They all have a tiny bit of freeplay in them.

If there is excessive play, then as mentioned before go to a Orvis dealer or send it directly back to Orvis and I am sure they will replace it no questions asked for you.

I sell more BBS and mid-arbor Battenkills then all of my other reels combined.

For the money you cannot beat them.

Rob