5" Bronze Adcock Stanton

Centre-pin Reel

     Adcock Stanton Reels are manufactured, designed and hand built in Great Britain. The basic design has been tried and tested on rivers and lakes by thousands of anglers over the last 25 years. With our latest improvements, it’s ready to be launched as the “new” Adcock Stanton. The return of this world class centre-pin reel available in both a 4.5” and 5” model is now also available in six different color choices. These reels are machined from the highest quality aircraft grade aluminum, feature a quick change spool system and a one piece end cap. They are virtually maintenance free incorporating sealed ABEC 5 bearings aided by Dupont Krytox lubricant.  This method of lubrication operates down to -60°C / -80°F.  Adcock Stanton reels are suitable for float fishing on rocky mountain rivers to the quietest of small streams and lakes and have been extensively tested on both barbel and steelhead. Adcock Stanton reels are backed by a five year guarantee.

A great video was recently posted on Total Course Fishing Magazine, check out Ray Hyland and the entire line of Adcock Stanton reels (including the awesome brass and stainless steel collector models) by clicking HERE.

Why Should You Purchase a New Adcock Stanton Reel?

• 70 years of History

• Proven reliability over 25 years

• Hand built and tested

• Manufactured from aircraft grade aluminum

• (New) Improved aluminum reel foot

• (New) Sealed ABEC 5 bearings

• (New) Stainless steel shaft improvement

• (New) Quick change front knob/spool release

• (New) Designed stainless steel clicker

• (New) Custom combinations and options.

• (New) Six color anodizing

• (New) All reel assembly plates diamond cut for outstanding finish

• (New) Optional diamond engraving includes fish and name

• Reel enhancements and improvements inspected and approved by Cliff Adcock

The New Model's Design Improvements

 

1.   Middle Plate is now a one piece unit, (see photograph) replacing two piece design and bearing housing of old reel.  In the process, reducing 22mm of aluminum in the width. Not only does this increase the machining accuracy, but also produces a stronger spool.  This change is more costly, but the results are evident when fished!

2.   Stainless steel Shaft Ground to three tenths of a thousandth resulting in a stronger and longer lasting spool spindle.  End float tolerance machined to one thousandth.

3.   Stainless steel clicker and gear redesigned to lock down with authority, the resulting in safer transport of rod and reel between fishing locations.

4.   One  piece aluminium reel foot, there is more engineering and labor in this area (involving 6 steps by hand and machine) than any other part of the reel.  The rear of the foot itself has been recessed to accept the brass name plate. It also plays double duty by disguising for sight all assembly hardware  Not only is the reel foot more structurally sound than previous generations, but it possesses the added advantage of protecting the maker’s plate against accidental dislodging and loss.

5.   DuPont Krytox bearing lubricant - Aerospace derived PFPE/PTFE synthetic lubricant technology for a lifetime of protection for the precision bearing assembly, making the bearings three times more expensive and durable.

 

• Ensures extremely smooth running and low noise of reel assembly.

• Extreme low temperature performance and free spool rotation at even sub-zero temperatures and still provides excellent lubrication even in tropical conditions.

• Non-oxidizing properties ensure optimal lubrication at all times.

• Lubricant has no solubility in water.  It is impervious to the effects of submersion and cannot be washed out or emulsified if reel assembly is accidentally splashed or dropped in water.

     Receiving the package in the mail direct from Ray @ Adcock Stanton, I found myself giddy with excitement.  I wasted no time and quickly and carefully made my way through the bubble wrap to find that he had included "all the trimmings".  This included the Krytox lubricant, protective neoprene case, bespoke canvas case, spalted wood presentation box and several anodized color choice sample blanks.  I couldn't help but smile; this reel is a stunner!  The elegantly rounded finished edges really speak of the attention to detail and  a well thought out-polished looking design.  A quick flick of the spool revealed bearings that ran smooth, true and virtually silent.  Looking over the various design aspects, the fit, finish and the color scheme...well, they just made me even more impressed with this new version of an old favorite.   This reel certainly qualifies as a refined version of the Adcock Stanton complete with the history, but with the benefit of added modern day construction and machining techniques.

     I found the reel extremely solid and well built.  Referring to fit and finish, the spool ran true within the back plate housing without any visual wobble.  I took notice of the gap between the spool and backplate while giving it a good spin finding the space remained even around the entire circumference.    Tugging side to side on the spool resulted in absolutely no movement.  The redesigned spool retention nut does a fine job of locking the spool in place, but not producing drag in the process.  I like the fact that the new reel foot had the maker's plate embedded into the attachment point.  With this method, the plate is protected from accidental dislodging and at the same time hides the assembly screws that attach the reel foot to the back plate.  A very nice touch! 

     As a 5" spool version, and being of the Stanton lineage, you can expect the reel size, width and mass to be greater than most.  While it is true that the Stanton is a tad bit heavier and a only slightly wider than many pins on the market today, it is not at all objectionable.  When rigged with an ample amount of backing and a 150yards of quality line, it feels similar to just about every other 5" reel on the market in terms of weight.  I mention this because I am very aware of the importance that most customers place on the weight of their reels. The spool features large holes drilled nearest the axle and small holes drilled along the outer edge.  The large holes serve double duty as an easy means to retrieve line with a simple flick of the finger.   The clicker control knob is simple to locate, low profile and easy to change positions from "On" to "Off".  The outside edge of the spool features a fine machine knurling.  This is an often overlooked asset when fighting fish as it permits an even drag pressure regardless of whether the palm is wet or dry.  At the same time, when fighting fish, it permits instant clamp down pressure without the possibility of slipping.  The ridges are just smooth enough to permit this without harming the hands.  Many are not accurately informed regarding this design feature fearing it will tear their palms up, this simply isn't the case and this argument is often ignored by anyone that has had the experience to fish a pin with it.

     Another facet of the design that I found interesting was the stubby tapered reel handles.  Their size repels line loops and cuts down on accidental "out of the bed" handle side spooling. They aren't too small though and maintaining a good amount of fingertip/thumb griping area when tugging in fish isn't a problem.

     Ray Hyland, owner of Adcock Stanton telephoned me soon after I was able to fish with the new design and was anxious to hear of my experience and opinion on its performance.  I struggled to come up with words to describe my satisfaction.  I attempted to draw an analogy to share my enthusiasm for his changes and how it fished.  In professional home audio circles, when an audio amplifier is under critical review and performs extremely well to the listeners, it is common to be referred to as "transparent" or "invisible" to the music inputted and amplified.  My experience with the Stanton would reflect this opinion.  The Stanton is transparent to the fishing experience.  With the lack of clicks, slight bearing bumps, and other mechanical noises, it is very difficult to tell the reel apart from the fishing experience.  It performs so smoothly during the trot and the reel flick technique retrieves and with such authority during fish battle, using the reel is second nature and becomes an extension of your will to receive.

      Cost, quality and value are placed together for a reason.  They are directly linked to one another!  With the current favorable conversion rates of the US dollar to that of the British pound, owning this reel becomes an excellent value.  With low production manufactured reels, whether custom one offs or custom order production models, commanding higher prices as material costs increase, it is to be expected that a reel of this quality be where it is priced.  Owning a Adcock Stanton centre-pin, or any other high quality non-Asian made reel, is about many things other than the price.  When purchasing a reel of this caliber, you are inheriting the history and lineage of a reel that (in one shape or form) predates WWII!  Having the ability to customized the color schemes to your preferences, diamond engraving, collector quality display boxes and an entire host of other purchase possibilities are to be expected from a company that is top-notch in both manufacturing and customer service.  In summary, the investment is well worth it and I am sure that you will find yourself as pleased with the reel as I am!

      I've hooked and landed well over 80 fish with the reel thus far, 02.20.09, and still have no complaints.  It has performed extremely well in conditions that have run the gamut in terms of temperature and abuse.  It has accidentally gotten splashed with frigid water, frozen and after a quick removal of ice between the spool and backplate, spun like a top.  This was even with the remainder of frozen ice still attached to the outside of the spool!  If I had to come up with a couple complaints, and really dig for them, I'd say that I wish for a fully ported model.  I fear this would be taken as sacrilege due the design's historical look.  I would also wish for a spool retention mechanism that cannot be dropped or lost.  I exercised precaution, but a bronze retention nut in a cold water run full of gravel only a foot deep could spell disaster if dropped.