Abu 66 - my new carp winch

[Marc]

It's the same age as me. Looks in better nic that me though.

[BeechmereLake]

It sure is a beauty, looks like it was made yesterday believe it or not, winding it is something else, after winding this reel all Mitchell's feel like they are grinding coffee beans down

[Nobby]

Strewth ! That's clean...and a box too

[BeechmereLake]

Yes mate the reel is clean and here, just for you, she is internally still on its original factory grease

[Nobby]

Ha...see that dark smear of grease on the connecting rod?......that has sat there since new, slowly sinking and drying out, hence the dark colour.

I doubt that reel even got turned until you bought it.............

[BeechmereLake]

35 years old the grease Nobby, would you replace it even though its not been used.

[Nobby]

Well, I would, yes....but then I'd fish with it......Since you are going to keep it as...well, an 'exhibit' might be the appropriate word, perhaps it's better still with the old grease? It does sort of indicate how it hasn't been used in all that time.


I'm not a collector as such ( too poor! ), but i can see that that reel is a bit too special to use really...perhaps even I would leave it alone...?

[BeechmereLake]

I have to say that through my days of collecting Mitchell reels it was nice to see the original grease in them though some of the older models had grease that had lost its soap and had turned to candle wax making the reel difficult to wind, simply replaced it but used original grease from junk reels that were scrapped for parts.
I think I will leave this one that way, any future collector who has an interest in it IF I EVER SELL IT cant argue its not original.