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Rapidex II - why are they so rare ?

Steve Kenchington

Steve Kenchington

Senior Member & Supporter
Does anyone know why the Rapidex II does not come up for sale very often ? The original Rapidex from the 50s and 60s are for sale all over the place but very few of the ll’s.

Is it because there were fewer sold as, maybe in the 80’s, centre pins were less in vogue than previously or do people just hang onto them.

I have 6 of the originals but only 1 of the later versions and have been searching for another to make up a matched pair.
 
My own personal guess would be that they just weren't bought in the same numbers as "the purists" etc.
Aesthetically, I don't think they are as appealing to as many people as the aerial reels made by Youngs, and also the lack of ventelation holes in the front plate won't allow you to place a finger in there to wind in.
Am I right in thinking the mkII has the same caged drum set up as the old rapidex (I could swear I remember them having the caged drum) ?
If so, then that design may have had a detrimental effect on their sales.

Steve, the above are just the first thoughts that sprung into my mind and may be well off the mark 👍.

Just for reference there are two okuma kennet reels for sale on ebay atm which have the caged drum.
 
Ian Woods said:
My own personal guess would be that they just weren't bought in the same numbers as "the purists" etc.
Aesthetically, I don't think they are as appealing to as many people as the aerial reels made by Youngs, and also the lack of ventelation holes in the front plate won't allow you to place a finger in there to wind in.
Am I right in thinking the mkII has the same caged drum set up as the old rapidex (I could swear I remember them having the caged drum) ?
If so, then that design may have had a detrimental effect on their sales.

Steve, the above are just the first thoughts that sprung into my mind and may be well off the mark 👍.

Just for reference there are two okuma kennet reels for sale on ebay atm which have the caged drum.
Click to expand...
Yes Ian you are correct they do indeed have the cage and the more I muse about it I think you are correct in that they just weren’t that popular. The originals however do seem to have been back in the 50s onwards.

I have seen the okumas for sale but can’t really justify any more pins as I have enough already and don’t want to branch out into another type.

I have just spent a few months looking for a II and found it funny that the vintage ones are so much more readily available.

I will keep on looking, one will come up somewhere at a reasonable price.

Incidentally the “lightweight” I bought of you last year has not come off my Harrison Avon and gets used on most visits.

All the best, Steve.
 
Steve Kenchington said:
Yes Ian you are correct they do indeed have the cage and the more I muse about it I think you are correct in that they just weren’t that popular. The originals however do seem to have been back in the 50s onwards.

I have seen the okumas for sale but can’t really justify any more pins as I have enough already and don’t want to branch out into another type.

I have just spent a few months looking for a II and found it funny that the vintage ones are so much more readily available.

I will keep on looking, one will come up somewhere at a reasonable price.

Incidentally the “lightweight” I bought of you last year has not come off my Harrison Avon and gets used on most visits.

All the best, Steve.
Click to expand...


Ok Steve, so glad your enjoying the lightweight, excellent stuff 🙂👍.
 
I seemed to notice that for a while centrepin values increased quite rapidly but have now gone back down again for some models. I wonder if some buyers are now holding on to reels they bought at the top of the market and reluctant to sell at a loss. I include myself in that group having bought a pair of 2400 Rapidex II's.
 
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