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Bob James Arnold Kingpin Reel

M

Mike Window

Senior Member & Supporter
I have a Bob James Arnold Kingpin reel which I purchased from Ringwood Tackle many years ago. Doing some research into the reel I found on another website (fishing magic 2010) a forum where a guy stated that only 3 reels were ever made by Arnold Kingpin with the Bob James name and rod / kingfisher logo as there was a dispute with Bob concerning his share of the proceeds.
He then states that Relum then produced similar reels with the Bob James logo.
On a discontinued BFW page there is a photo of a BJ Arnold Kingpin (mine seems more blue in colour but that may just be the photo).
Does anyone know what the truth is as I am sure I have seen other Arnold Kingpins with the BJ name on them
 
Can't help you there Mike, but so you dont worry about it too much I'll take it of your hands for a fiver.
Can't be farer than that, can I
:):)
 
reels

Hi John
Surely you can pay better than that after all I did offer you £50 each for your Pete Reading reels
 
I've heard that there was some dispute about it being a blatant copy of the Dave Swallow reel. I seem to recall that there was another incarnation called a Bob James Swift (a bird sometimes confused with a Swallow).
Relum then produced another version with the BJ name that was also remarkably similar to the Swallow.
I've never seen an Arnold BJ, so I think there must be very few around.
 
I had a Bob James Kingfisher, which I sold on

It's in the discontinued centrepin database

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Like a lot of these reels, it suffered from the back-nut coming loose at times :(

paul4
 
I can't say it's the prettiest thing myself, but it's rarity might command a price?
 
Not sure what it is worth, but it would surely be more if it didn't have Bob James inscribed on it.................He's a very naughty boy!
 
I'm not sure what the interest is in centrepins anyway. I can see their value as a collector's item - a relic from yesteryear, but a reel totally unsuited to modern day barbel fishing. Perhaps ok teamed up with a match rod and 4lb line trotting for roach, bleak, gudgeon etc.
 
An interesting bait Jim but you should be utterly shamed by such clumsy presentation. Add to that lack of any stealth element; well what can I say that would not completely embarrass my good friend Steve
I really do expect much better from a boyhood friend of one of my hero’s!
 
Last edited:
Kevin Daly said:
An interesting bait Jim but you should be utterly shamed by such clumsy presentation. Add to that lack of any stealth element; well what can I say that would not completely embarrass my good friend Steve
I really do expect much better from a boyhood friend of one of my hero’s!
Click to expand...

Oh well, Kevin, I'd better retire from BFW until some new members are recruited. Having said that, can't really see much value in centrepins although Mr Crabtree did use one.
 
Hi men,

Jim , you have done it now !, be prepared for lots of undeniable proof that they are the best reel to use , and the superb egg beater reels most people use are for spinning , or for those less skilled anglers ! :D :p

Hatter
 
It’s the instantaneous micro infinitely adjustable clutch that does it for me Jim. For god's sake don’t retire, you are one of the few on here who make me laugh.
 
Hi me again
Just to say my Bob James Kingpin looks exactly the same as in the photos kindly provided by Paul Whiteing except for certainly one maybe two differences.
Firstly my model looks to be much more bluish in colour rather than the silvery sheen model in the photos. Secondly in the photos under the Bob James name and logo it states "Kingfisher" whereas my states "Kingpin".
Mine also has exactly the same manufacturers details at the bottom of the backplate as shown in the photos. What I am interested in finding out is why I read on "Fishing Magic Forums" one contributor states that the owner of Arnold Kingpin Company told him they never commercially sold reels with the Bob James name on them.
If anybody else has further info I would be interested to hear from them.
Mike
 
Kevin Daly said:
An interesting bait Jim but you should be utterly shamed by such clumsy presentation. Add to that lack of any stealth element; well what can I say that would not completely embarrass my good friend Steve
I really do expect much better from a boyhood friend of one of my hero’s!
Click to expand...

Love it!! :D
 
Mike Window said:
Hi me again
Just to say my Bob James Kingpin looks exactly the same as in the photos kindly provided by Paul Whiteing except for certainly one maybe two differences.
Firstly my model looks to be much more bluish in colour rather than the silvery sheen model in the photos. Secondly in the photos under the Bob James name and logo it states "Kingfisher" whereas my states "Kingpin".
Mine also has exactly the same manufacturers details at the bottom of the backplate as shown in the photos. What I am interested in finding out is why I read on "Fishing Magic Forums" one contributor states that the owner of Arnold Kingpin Company told him they never commercially sold reels with the Bob James name on them.
If anybody else has further info I would be interested to hear from them.
Mike
Click to expand...

A most intriguing post which merits further research.
 
Arnold Kingpin - manufactured by K W Enginering , Poole , Dorset .
As far as I know they still make them - a friend used to work there - lovely reels , if a bit pricey .
 
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