ABU Closed Face Reels

[Pikerwoods]

I have got a s/hand ABU 501 off eBay but not as good as my old one from many years ago. So is there any newer models worth looking at especially with anti reverse...?

 

[markcw]

I have one, I think it's the 744, I will check, it seems lighter than the 500 series, and more compact, had no problems with it Bob

 

[peter crabtree]

I have an original 501 and the anti reverse is engaged by tightening the knob on the handle. Maybe the one you have recently acquired has had the anti reverse removed which is quite common?

 

[rob48]

I think you mean the 704 Mark. I've got a couple and they're nice reels for close-in trotting.

 

[markcw]

It's in a drawer in the garage Rob, not used it for a while, I will check later.

 

[rob48]

There was a 1044 as well, but I've no experience of that one.

 

[S-Kippy]

I have 2 Swedish built 501's that must be 35 years old and still work perfectly. I also got a 506 mk II (new) of eBay for silly money a couple of years back and its not bad at all albeit I dont use closed face reels very often now. Bit of a marmite reel that one but I like it.

 

[Ray Roberts]

I bought a 507 mk2 a couple of years ago and it’s not been great. I returned it under warranty and it’s started playing up again. The build quality isn’t very good and one of the plastic parts in the winding cup is already worn. I’d stick with the earlier better made reels. You can’t even order a new part but have to buy the whole winding cup.


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[markcw]

I think you mean the 704 Mark. I've got a couple and they're nice reels for close-in trotting.

I checked and it is the 704 Rob.
I gave my 500 series reels along with mitchells and a couple of shimanos to daughter in law, for her cancer hospice stall at a car boot, I priced them up for her so she wouldnt get ripped off.

 

[Pikerwoods]

My 501 is running smoothly after I got some cycle grease from Halfords.

 

[bullet]

I bought a 507 mk2 a couple of years ago and it’s not been great. I returned it under warranty and it’s started playing up again. The build quality isn’t very good and one of the plastic parts in the winding cup is already worn. I’d stick with the earlier better made reels. You can’t even order a new part but have to buy the whole winding cup.


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I've got one of those and agree with you, personally I can't stand it, but to be fair I'm no fan of CF's anyway.

 

[S-Kippy]

I agree the build quality isnt fantastic but for an occasional user I'm more than happy with it.....especially as I got it for less than half what they seem to be going for now.

 

[mikench]

So do I. It's ok but always feels like it would struggle with a decent fish. I also have a 501 which I have used more including trotting. I bought them to scratch an itch.

 

[108831]

The original 505/506's(I had two of each)were well engineered and made with quality materials,and after the anti reverse mod was done they were pretty good,I had two 501's and although they were ok,they weren't as good as the two original models mentioned previously,great small fish reels imo,fish up to 1.5lbs,great for stick float in windy conditions too...

 

[xenon]

pretty odd that of all kinds of reel, the 50+ year old 506 has yet to be surpassed, to my mind.

 

[108831]

Nice bits of kit,the original Swedish made reels,the 505's were good too,they ran flawlessly for donkeys years too,when you think of the quality phosphor bronze gearing and then look at the monkey metal gears of the Mitchells,wow,even Mitchells ran for years though....

 

[Pikerwoods]

I've had chub to 5lb and barbel to 4lb on my old 501 plus netfulls of River Dane chub.

 

[108831]

I'm not saying what you can have,i've caught plenty of lumps on mine when I had them,but imo they are better for smaller fish...

 

[trotter2]

I much prefer the original mk1abu closed face reels. The new ones are fine when you first get them but don't last unfortunately. Favourite is the 501 .

 

[Dangler40]

Had the new 706, 506 MK2 and 507 MK2. Moved them all on in favour of the old 501, 506 and 1044. Far better build quality.