Centrepin with knurled edge?

[Neil Blood]

I’m currently a big Centrepin user and I’m considering investing in a Dave Swallow Mk II. One of the features is that the spool has a knurled edge and I’ve read is some quarters, that this can be particularly uncomfortable, when playing a good Barbel, which steams off on a powerful run.

Interested to hear thoughts from anyone who uses a pin with a knurled edge please?

 

[Mark Swaby]

I have a knurled edge swallow and have caught hundreds of barbel on it float fishing without any issues. But i do have old hard hands possibly complainers have 'Office hands'. The Relum pins i use for heavy hit and hold fishing also have a knurled edge. Last season two mid doubles gave me frightening fights (the rare type you never forget) without issue. I find the knurled edge helps me hold onto the spool without it slipping. My only issue with pins is when fishing off the bottom and a handle hits your thumb nail during an aggressive fight ,the knurled edge helps with the grip issue that stops that from happening

 

[Neil Blood]

Thanks for that and for the record, I have girlie office women’s hands

 

[Mark Swaby]

Neil, i would get your Mk11 swallow, I suspect any criticism might be by someone trying to drive the prices down of a fantastic reel

 

[Joe Winstanley]

I’ve been using a Swallow for stalking carp (mainly low doubles) but hard fighting fish nonetheless and I like the knurled edge for the same reasons that Mark outlines...and my hands probably into the ‘office hands’ category. Two days of tenching and they start cracking and going sore.

 

[Terry Simner]

This year I've started fishing exclusively 'off the top'. It took me a while to get used to it, but I love it now. I reckon it has a couple of definite advantages than fishing off the bottom. I've not got a pin with a knurled rim, but guess that it definitely wouldn't be a problem, especially if you're 'off the top'. Plus on a good run it'll file your fingernail nail down quite nicely

 

[Neil Blood]

Thanks for the feedback and reel ordered

 

[Paul Thompson]

I have a Pete Reading Barbel Pin which I've used for several years and find the knurled edge really does help when playing fish, when it's cold and/or wet as it does provide extra grip to slow the spool. Mind you, having the drag set really tight also helps...

 

[Nick Coulthurst]

I have a Swallow MkII with knurled rim and love it. I find smooth edges cause more overheating of the hands. I have a manual job so no office hands.