Cork vs. Synthetic drag

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

This subject came up on another topic.
What is the preferred material for fly reel drag systems. Is there a difference in performance of different materials in icy conditions or in salt water? Is there a difference in durability? Is there a difference in maintainence?

Thanks, Tom

2

check out the Abel website. They have something to say about your topic.

3

Here are some other thoughts on drags.
[url=http://www.danblanton.com/dragsyou.html:afca4]www.danblanton.com/dragsyou.html[/url:afca4]

Most top end reels use cork drags. There are some excellent reels with synthetic drags such as Ross and some Hayden models for instance. Most reels with synthetic drags don’t have the same range and evenness across all settings like cork drags. One notable exception are the Charleton reels which are among the best ever made.

4

I had an Islander FR2 with a cork drag. It was a beautiful reel, but the cork would freeze if it got wet in cold weather. When I pulled out line it was like a snow making machine. I sold it and got a Sage with a sealed drag.

5

Synthetic drags will freeze also. As noted, sealed drag systems help if freezing is an issue, regardless of the drag material itself.

6

Thanks for the link tailingloop…
I’ve seen countless ad’s and catalog discriptions and as soon as I seen the term “Cork Drag”.
I Dismissed the reel immeadately…Nore have I ever once inquired as to how a cork drag might perform …just had visions of it disintegrating into dust as it dried with age…Guess my thoughts were WAY off on this…and the next time I see a reel of such design, Discribed and of a price in my range…I think I’ll give it a good testing! May take years!!!
I’ve seen cheaper Cabela’s reels with cork drags…Now I wonder if I’ve passed on reels that were not truely cheap as I’d christened them to be!?..

7

Castwell, please expound regarding design and clutch troubles. Not asking for names of reels, just curious and interested in the topic. thanks.

8

There is other material in the drags. The Orvis Mach has stainless steel to Broflon, with very hard material and will not wear out like cork.

9

Garden fish,

An example of “design problem” would be like the old Lamson LP (i believe). They used to have a problem with the (then) exposed drag.

Lots of folks got turned off Lamson at the time. imho, … they no longer have problems with their drag systems. (If I can’t muck one up, … no one can ).

One of the members lurking around here works on reels and could offer up much more info.

Christopher Chin, Jonquiere Quebec
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