As a Bogdan collector (until recently I couldn't admit that it's what I am....but I guess I've come to terms with it ........
) I ended up buying the reel recently listed on a certain web auction site as a
"Bogdan Copy".
I was shocked to see this reel listed as a fake since it was for sale about a year ago on a very reputible tackle dealer's website as the real deal, and in corresponding with the him during the auction he indicated that he had no idea it was not authentic when he had it for sale. In any case, I felt the need to buy this reel primarily to get it off the market so it would never again be sold as a real Bogdan, but also to get a hands on look to see what the quality was like and to try and figure out who made it.
When it arrived, I was surprised ....almost upset with how well it was made and how it had the feel of quality. I could be wrong, but I don't think this reel was made on a CNC but rather was bench made based on the evidence of hand filing and finsihing. As far as cosmetics, it isn't to a Bogdan standard, and there is some cosmetic wear, but I can tell that when it was new the finish was done very well. I honestly wanted this reel to suck, but it doesn't
In looking closely at the details of this reel, almost everything about it is a little different from a real Bogdan except the name plate which is dead on. If you had this reel in hand and owned another Bogdan trout or had good photos to compare it to, IMHO it should not be confused with the real deal.
My gut feeling is that who ever made this reel did not put the Bogdan name plate on it, and if anyone can figure out from the photos who the maker was I'd sure appreciate hearing from you. My guess is that some "creative" earlier owner decided to make a Bogdan out of it...
Well, here are some initial photos, I plan to post some detail shots this weekend and maybe a better explanation of what the differences are. I was losing decent light this evening for taking photos, especially for taking any macros so couldn't get any more close-ups, and maybe they are not necessary anyway.
The first two photos could be called "Dissecting a Bogdan Copy"
I took the whole reel apart and all that I found was a batch number in the frame......
Note the screw attaching the S handle is not the same profile for any Bogdan made after the early 50's, and that the taper of the knob is not the same as what Bogdan uses.
The screw heads attaching the front and back plates are larger andmore flat than what Bogdan uses, and the oil cap is domed vs being flat on a real Bogdan
The S handle is brush annodized and the holes are not chamfered (not all Bogdans have chamfered holes)
The screws for the foot are not like those used by Bogdan and the base of the foot tapers...it is also not set into the frame like a real Bogdan, but rather just sits on top.
) I ended up buying the reel recently listed on a certain web auction site as a
"Bogdan Copy".
I was shocked to see this reel listed as a fake since it was for sale about a year ago on a very reputible tackle dealer's website as the real deal, and in corresponding with the him during the auction he indicated that he had no idea it was not authentic when he had it for sale. In any case, I felt the need to buy this reel primarily to get it off the market so it would never again be sold as a real Bogdan, but also to get a hands on look to see what the quality was like and to try and figure out who made it.
When it arrived, I was surprised ....almost upset with how well it was made and how it had the feel of quality. I could be wrong, but I don't think this reel was made on a CNC but rather was bench made based on the evidence of hand filing and finsihing. As far as cosmetics, it isn't to a Bogdan standard, and there is some cosmetic wear, but I can tell that when it was new the finish was done very well. I honestly wanted this reel to suck, but it doesn't
In looking closely at the details of this reel, almost everything about it is a little different from a real Bogdan except the name plate which is dead on. If you had this reel in hand and owned another Bogdan trout or had good photos to compare it to, IMHO it should not be confused with the real deal.
My gut feeling is that who ever made this reel did not put the Bogdan name plate on it, and if anyone can figure out from the photos who the maker was I'd sure appreciate hearing from you. My guess is that some "creative" earlier owner decided to make a Bogdan out of it...
Well, here are some initial photos, I plan to post some detail shots this weekend and maybe a better explanation of what the differences are. I was losing decent light this evening for taking photos, especially for taking any macros so couldn't get any more close-ups, and maybe they are not necessary anyway.
The first two photos could be called "Dissecting a Bogdan Copy"
I took the whole reel apart and all that I found was a batch number in the frame......
Note the screw attaching the S handle is not the same profile for any Bogdan made after the early 50's, and that the taper of the knob is not the same as what Bogdan uses.
The screw heads attaching the front and back plates are larger andmore flat than what Bogdan uses, and the oil cap is domed vs being flat on a real Bogdan
The S handle is brush annodized and the holes are not chamfered (not all Bogdans have chamfered holes)
The screws for the foot are not like those used by Bogdan and the base of the foot tapers...it is also not set into the frame like a real Bogdan, but rather just sits on top.
The check though similar to a Bogdan trout, is not the "same" and has no RHW or LHW bias though I think I will be able to bend the spring enough to
give it a bias.
The plate is dead on.......luckily though there are a lot of other differences between this reel and a real Bogdan
I do think they were both German made
and had a blank nameplate from the maker. Then our local shop had the engraving done. I am not sure it was made by Wurm, and I so far I haven't seen
nameplates on any Wurm reel.
