Are the last of the English made Hardy flyweights missing the Hardy of England on the back? I came across a reel that's advertised as made in England but it only says "Hardy" on the back. The seller noted that the "A" in the serial number denoted Alnwick made. I wanted to be sure because I thought the writing said Hardy of England if it was made in England. Anybody know anything about this? I'm not very knowledgable on Hardy.
photo by Bulldog1935 |
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Hardy flyweight
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 jrb78 |
Hardy flyweight |
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Guide
Posts: 91 (06/17/09 21:45:40) |
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 jgestar |
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Posts: 3763 (06/18/09 00:02:52) ezOP |
My Korean made Hardy Flyweight has a serial number that begins with the letter "A". The reel is very nicely made. Like many others have commented,
the Korean reels are as well made as the prior English reels. They don't have the Alnwick "mystique", but for the price I'll live with it.
If the seller can't beat the Harris Sportmail price (about $185 delivered) or prove it was made in Alnwick, you might as well import a new one from Harris. Tom |
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Finn.clarksclassicfl... |
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Sport
Posts: 6 (06/18/09 00:58:12) |
I just went over this with Hardy in England about my new Mark VI Bougle. The A in the serial number only denotes it being assembled in England, not Made in
England. As far as the Bougle is concerned you must also have off setting reel foot screws and English threads. The Korean reels have in line foot screws and
Metric threads. Most of the A serial numbered Bougles are made from Korean parts.
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 5039 (06/18/09 09:10:19) Administrator |
If your Flyweight was made in the UK, it will say Made In England in script on the back plate, right below House of Hardy
Otherwise, it is certainly made in Korea and who cares where they are made, they are amazing reels for the price.   
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 5040 (06/18/09 10:28:02) Administrator |
here we go, it's Made by House of Hardy England
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-HARDY-THE-FLYWEIGHT-FLY-FISHING-REEL-MINT_W0QQitemZ260430913045
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
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jrb78 |
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Guide
Posts: 92 (06/18/09 12:55:56) |
This is the reel that was in question but I think you've cleared it up. Ad says made in England but it isn't on the reel.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hardy-Flyweight-fly-reel-Made-in-England-New-Hardys_W0QQitemZ250443666714QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportsLeisure_Fishing_Reels_JN?hash=item3a4f9b151a&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177&_trkparms=240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50 |
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Finn.clarksclassicfl... |
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Sport
Posts: 7 (06/18/09 14:48:03) |
Ron
Thanks again for the nice job on my Uniqua by the way. According to John Shiel at Hardy, a Bougle at least, does not have to say Made in England to be Made in England. They are all made in Korea now but the first two runs were Made in England and the third run was assembled in England from Korean parts. The Flyweights may be different. |
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WetFlyAction |
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Sport
Posts: 45 (06/18/09 20:12:54) |
bulldog1935 wrote:IF you order them from England, which seems pretty unnecessary. US dealers are listing featherweights at $299. I paid $350 for an English made one just 2 years ago. They are great reels, I love mine, but the House of Hardy isn't doing us any favors, not by a long shot. |
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gearboy |
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Master Guide
Posts: 371 (06/19/09 04:45:54) |
bulldog1935 wrote:I do. |
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 5041 (06/19/09 06:05:58) Administrator |
vote with your dollars, but they were selling for $750 when they were still made in England, and you can buy one for $175 made in Korea.
odds are, you will be out-voted. Cascapedias were selling for $1100 made in the UK, and you can get a Kascapedia for $250. 
this seems to be a pretty consistent ratio for a CNC reel. they remain CNC reels, whether made in England, Korea, or on the moon.
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
Last Edited By: bulldog1935
06/19/09 08:01:56.
Edited 2 times.
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BlackHillsBill |
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Registered Member
Posts: 1 (06/19/09 06:26:46) |
gearboy wrote: "So may the minister now pronounce you and the Flyweight hopelessly estranged. Please, Classic Reel congregants, remain standing while the groom files by his lonesome from the sanctuary.' |
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 5043 (06/19/09 07:54:21) Administrator |
Hi Bill, good to see you, friend.
The way I see it, it is really simple. One of the nicest click-pawl reels ever made is still being made at prices we can afford. I suggest to compare them to the offerings in all your favorite and current fly shop catalogs and decide with which you would prefer to fish. Without having made the move to maufacture these reels in Korea, they would have been discontinued. The made in England reels are out there now as a finite set of collectibles that will only increase in value.
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
Last Edited By: bulldog1935
06/19/09 08:00:37.
Edited 2 times.
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cofisher |
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Posts: 1586 (06/19/09 09:22:43) Administrator
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Ron, without taking this too far out of the ball park, do you have any idea why the Orvis marked Hardys don't seem to be worth as much as the originals?
Catch and Release fishing is a lot like golf. You don't have to eat the ball to have a good time. |
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gearboy |
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Master Guide
Posts: 372 (06/19/09 11:33:51) |
BHB, Welcome to the dark side. Or, maybe you're finally seeing the light and wanting to fish something other than that made in China grass.
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 5044 (06/20/09 07:23:08) Administrator |
Howard, I can best answer your question by comparing an Orvis-marked Phillipson.
I have three MF70s, a marked Phillipson, LL Bean Featherweight, and Orvis Fullflex. They are listed above in order of decreasing value, even though the Orvis is the best-appointed of the three. CFOs hold their value very well. I believe the Hardy-made Battenkills may be the best sleeper buys out there, similar to my yellow Fullflex. They are rare reels, and most expect to see the BFR reels (which in their own are very fine reels). But the prices for the BFR Battenkills and the Hardy Battenkills seem to run about the same. If you find Hardy-made Battenkills, buy them... BFR  
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
Last Edited By: bulldog1935
06/20/09 07:26:23.
Edited 3 times.
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BlackHillsBill |
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Registered Member
Posts: 2 (06/20/09 11:30:34) |
Ron,
As usual, you were pointed, clear, and on target--the most reliable person on reels I know. Bill |
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bob4st |
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Master Guide
Posts: 615 (07/02/09 17:22:48) |
...yup, I gotta agree... Ron is "the man"... you'd be hard pressed to find someone more knowledgeable.....
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- Welcome, Messages, Claves, News, and FAQs
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- What's New on the Market
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