Battenkill 3/4

HarleyCharlie · 05-11-11, 01:49 PM

How much is a Orvis Battenkill , Disc drag 3/4 in great shape worth and what is the difference between it and a Battenkill I ?

fishinbub · 05-11-11, 02:22 PM

There's one for sale on Clarks for $80. I'd say that's a pretty reasonable price.

Buck Henry · 05-11-11, 02:32 PM

The old Battenkill 3/4 is a great reel and is even more desireable to own if it was made in the UK. It was made from a cast metal frame. Concerning the Battenkill 1; I assume you mean the Battenkill Barstock I. If so, that reel is machined from a piece of solid barstock and is also a very good reel for the money. Either one of the reels you list are considered great reels for the price point at which they are sold.

nielson · 05-11-11, 03:58 PM

If I'm not mistaken, the older Battenkills were click drag, and yes, much more valuable and coveted than their current counterpart in disc drag.

The 3/4 disc Battenkill you're talking about sounds like the current model. It retails for $89 new so at $80, not a great deal. Particularly not so good a deal if you buy one when Orvis is having one of their $25 off any purchases over $50 deals (requires a coupon). That means you'd pay $64 for that reel. (By the way, that sale is going on now and I believe ends this weekend.)

Buck Henry already explained the difference between it and the BBS-I, which is about $120 retail. However, the BBS-II is probably more closely sized capacity-wise to the BK3/4 then the BBS-I. It also costs more at $129.

All that said, I'd say it's worth about $60 used. Jim

PS: I have 3 or 4 of the BK disc reels - I like them because they are sturdy, light and relatively inexpensive.

The Ole Man · 05-11-11, 05:16 PM

For a newer made in China Battenkill Disc Jim would be correct at $60 used--maybe less. It just happens that there is a high demand for the Battenkills that say "Made in England" on the back of the frame. It is suddenly what everyone wants. They are getting harder to come by and thus are bringing a premium price. I've see some on Ebay bring the original $89 price and more . The Battenkill Bar Stocks will probably have the same fate before long because Orvis started out having them made in England also--then they switched them to China as well. Same thing with the CFO's. The new ones no longer say "Made in England" on the frame. Jim is right about the Clicker Battenkills. A Clicker that also says "Made in England" brings a premium price.

I happen to know that Buck went on a nationwide search for a UK made CFO some time back. Quite a story.

Gene L · 05-11-11, 08:45 PM

The disc drag Battenkills were made in England for a long time. I heard they were made by Hardy. They're good reels, although I like clickers better.

I have no doubt that a Chinaman can run a CNC machine as well as an Englishman or an American, and the Bar Stock Battenkills are great and great looking.

I've got maybe a dozen disc drags older reels, and one clicker. I like them all.

HarleyCharlie · 05-13-11, 11:44 PM

Thanks everyone for the info , I have two af the BBS II 's and found a pretty good deal on the 3/4 i'm thinking of getting for my 4 weight I bought from capt. Dave.

fishonthebrainga · 05-16-11, 04:13 PM

There are a some posted int he swap shop for $100. That a bit much. i own and use an old battenkill click an paw. i love it. Nothing sounds better than that reel when a fish takles a run! Hang on to it.

The Ole Man · 05-16-11, 07:45 PM

The ones in the Swap Shop come with a line and backing----and the price has been reduced to $75.

05-11-11, 01:49 PM	#1
HarleyCharlie Native Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Rockmart Ga. Posts: 200	Battenkill 3/4 How much is a Orvis Battenkill , Disc drag 3/4 in great shape worth and what is the difference between it and a Battenkill I ?

05-11-11, 02:22 PM	#2
fishinbub Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Demorest, Ga Posts: 4,366	There's one for sale on Clarks for $80. I'd say that's a pretty reasonable price. __________________ Every time you fish a dry fly on a plastic rod, Bubba keeps a limit of brookies.

05-11-11, 02:32 PM	#3
Buck Henry Former NGTO President Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kennesaw, GA Posts: 8,656	The old Battenkill 3/4 is a great reel and is even more desireable to own if it was made in the UK. It was made from a cast metal frame. Concerning the Battenkill 1; I assume you mean the Battenkill Barstock I. If so, that reel is machined from a piece of solid barstock and is also a very good reel for the money. Either one of the reels you list are considered great reels for the price point at which they are sold. __________________ Buck Henry Simple Goat Herder Former NGTO President Hall of Fame Member

05-11-11, 03:58 PM	#4
nielson Native Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Athens Posts: 847	If I'm not mistaken, the older Battenkills were click drag, and yes, much more valuable and coveted than their current counterpart in disc drag. The 3/4 disc Battenkill you're talking about sounds like the current model. It retails for $89 new so at $80, not a great deal. Particularly not so good a deal if you buy one when Orvis is having one of their $25 off any purchases over $50 deals (requires a coupon). That means you'd pay $64 for that reel. (By the way, that sale is going on now and I believe ends this weekend.) Buck Henry already explained the difference between it and the BBS-I, which is about $120 retail. However, the BBS-II is probably more closely sized capacity-wise to the BK3/4 then the BBS-I. It also costs more at $129. All that said, I'd say it's worth about $60 used. Jim PS: I have 3 or 4 of the BK disc reels - I like them because they are sturdy, light and relatively inexpensive. Last edited by nielson; 05-11-11 at 04:05 PM. Reason: to add more mindless drivel

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-11-11, 05:16 PM	#5
The Ole Man Chief Financial Officer, Past Director, Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: NW Georgia Posts: 7,997	For a newer made in China Battenkill Disc Jim would be correct at $60 used--maybe less. It just happens that there is a high demand for the Battenkills that say "Made in England" on the back of the frame. It is suddenly what everyone wants. They are getting harder to come by and thus are bringing a premium price. I've see some on Ebay bring the original $89 price and more . The Battenkill Bar Stocks will probably have the same fate before long because Orvis started out having them made in England also--then they switched them to China as well. Same thing with the CFO's. The new ones no longer say "Made in England" on the frame. Jim is right about the Clicker Battenkills. A Clicker that also says "Made in England" brings a premium price. I happen to know that Buck went on a nationwide search for a UK made CFO some time back. Quite a story.

05-11-11, 08:45 PM	#6
Gene L Native Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 416	The disc drag Battenkills were made in England for a long time. I heard they were made by Hardy. They're good reels, although I like clickers better. I have no doubt that a Chinaman can run a CNC machine as well as an Englishman or an American, and the Bar Stock Battenkills are great and great looking. I've got maybe a dozen disc drags older reels, and one clicker. I like them all.

05-13-11, 11:44 PM	#7
HarleyCharlie Native Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Rockmart Ga. Posts: 200	Thanks everyone for the info , I have two af the BBS II 's and found a pretty good deal on the 3/4 i'm thinking of getting for my 4 weight I bought from capt. Dave.

05-16-11, 04:13 PM	#8
fishonthebrainga Native Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Woodstock GA Posts: 512	There are a some posted int he swap shop for $100. That a bit much. i own and use an old battenkill click an paw. i love it. Nothing sounds better than that reel when a fish takles a run! Hang on to it.

05-16-11, 07:45 PM	#9
The Ole Man Chief Financial Officer, Past Director, Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: NW Georgia Posts: 7,997	The ones in the Swap Shop come with a line and backing----and the price has been reduced to $75.