Penn Jigmaster comparison Made in USA vs Chinese manufactured is there a difference? YES! 

I have a "made in Philadelphia USA" model from the late 80's or early 90's that has more internal brass than the Chinese model you have there. It's something I am thankful for. I didn't take super good care of it as a teenager, and now that I am getting into fishing again after a quick clean it works great. No corrosion on the brass, but there is a little on the stainless steel parts. Thanks so much for your awesome channel, you have really helped a lot with the cleaning process.

Thanks for the great content. I think you summarized the whole thing in 1 sentence - "In the end, it doesn't matter who makes the reel, what matters is the compromises that the brand makes to save a few cents. I believe that is what happened here." I agree. Where ever the reel comes from, it is made to the price point requested. I don't see anyone complaining about their poorly manufactured iPhones so it's generally not true to say that a particular country can't make quality goods. For the record, I collect the old Penn's.... I like the charm and history of the US made ones ;)

I love the old Bakelite handles. They are a signature part of old penns and when I see them I get exited

I've learned so much from you Dennis! Thanks to you and your videos.. vintage Penn reels are my faves and you've helped shed the light on these ,, take apart, clean, service etc. Thank you again

I bought a pair of identical Ambassadeur 7000's from a gentlemen a few years back. One was made in Sweden, the other in China. I thoroughly cleaned and serviced both reels, which were both in excellent condition. When done, the reel manufactured in Sweden was smoother in all modes of operation and was especially noticeable in the spool bearings. If purchased new, I would rather save up money a little longer to get a better product.

I am thankful for your objective look at the matter of foreign built vs. built in the US (or built in Sweden for Abu Garcia, built in Japan for Daiwa/Shimano, etc). Domestic reels have become incredibly cost prohibitive, especially for those who wish to have a wide array of reels for different situations. And even as far down the product line as the Battle II, the Chinese made Penn reels really are not bad. I have a Clash 2000 that I mainly use in freshwater, and I don't have any complaints about it. I will probably get a Clash II as well, as they have actually made significant upgrades to its durability in saltwater situations (more superficially, I also like the new color scheme). I also use a Fathom 15 for surf fishing, and it has impressed me the whole time that I have used it. Both of these product lines are made in China, but I've heard only minor criticisms of each of them from from any reputable outlets. It's hard for me to pay an extra 300 dollars for the made in the US tax and only minimal additional features. As you point out, the bigger issue is the corners that the manufacturer decides to cut with materials, quality assurance, tolerances, etc.

The bridge isn't S.Steel. It's Nickel plated brass but could have some chrome in it. The handles are chrome plated brass. The handle isn't bakelite, and I'm not sure what it is, but it's probably nylon/ABS. Those eccentric springs either lasted forever or broke soon, as you said. My opninon is that it's not about being made in China; it's a cheaper means of production, directed by Penn, of course. A long time ago, (circa 70s), when they were American made and afterward as well, Penn used cold-rolled steel which made sense for a gear because it has higher corrosion resistance and hardness, aslo by adding chromium 16% and nickel 8% to it. But if fishermen attribute the changes to being "made in China" I think they'd be wrong. They are simply cost-cutting changes that would have happened, even at 3028 West Hunting Park Ave., Pennsylvania. ((The best and worst of Harley Davidson bikes were both made in the USA. Now, more are made in China. Their efforts to resucitate H.D. are doomed, as an American manufacturer.)). Thanks for the comparison. I have the JigM. 500HS. USA... and it's fabulous.

I found an old maroon side plate Jigmaster 500 at a garage sale. It's mounted on a solid fiberglass rod, looks to be a trolling rod. It's 6 1/2 ft with 2 ft being the grip. There's no markings on the road at all. But on to the real. All I've done to it is to clean it up on the exterior and clean and lube inside. Works perfectly. This setup works very well flat lining for stripers out of my kayak. Penn fishing reels from back in the day are hard to improve upon. I'm fortunate to have run up on this one....

This is one of my favorite size reels. I have a regular maroon jigmaster a jigmaster high speed and a newell 338-5. I picked up all 3 for $75.

thanks denis. nothing like a buffed and polished american made jigmaster sitting on a shelf with your other cherished artifacts. the reel that put it there was a daiwa 50h and the year was 1971. i adjusted the handle to the power setting and never looked back. the daiwa 50h sits on a ted williams rod i bought the same day and is still my go to set up for anything outside the inlet.

I remember using my old jigmaster on the fishing barges off the southern california coast.

Just reasontly picked up a penn 309 m really like it thanks

Difference? One will be used, loved, serviced and used some more. The other, goes into the landfill.

I was planning on moving my old vintage Penn Jigmaster but after seeing videos on RU-vid, I'm holding on to them. American made is always better!

I love my vintage Penn Jigmaster! I Plan to pick up a few more American made versions on Ebay.

Great video explaining why American made is better, just subscribed tight lines

Bought my first one about two years ago so far so good

Great video sir, keep up the good work :)

The bridge and main gear are not stainless steel. The main gear is chromed steel. The bridge is chromed brass.

Hace unos años Tuve la suerte de encontrar uno original 😂 no saben lo contento que estoy con el ... ahora que lo usare para pescar maki maki

Thanks!

That USA made Jigmaster has the sticker displaying the model instead of the embossed text. The very first Jigmasters had those stickers instead and no lettering on the left sideplate, so that reel was probably from 1958-59.

Thanks a lot for this great vide but now I have two questions, are they still producing Penn at USA or moved all manufacturing to China? and if there are still some factories at USA, how can I know when I buy from Amazon or ebay if they are made in China or USA? I assume at China they can easily stick made in USA at the boxes.

In your opinion, is one better off to purchase Older USA reels and rebuild them as needed, or can you go with the newer reels if you have a strict cleaning regiment. The Jigmaster is my favorite "do it all" reel. I have 4 older USA models that I have picked up over the years. All but one of them has had work done on them. Right now, I have more in them (repairs/shipping) than I would buying new ones, but I just love the old school stuff. Just wondering if I'm being too stubborn in refusing to buy a Chinese Penn. Especially since I do own other foreign products from Shimano, Okuma and even Penn. Thanks and great channel!

Hi , my penn jigmaster cover say made in USA but it has the black rubber grip handle . So what that means ? I hate to take it apart to find out cause it work really good . Thanks for your input .

Hi Dennis, I am assuming that the newer China made reels don’t say “Made in USA” on them? Just looking for a quick way to tell the difference at a glance. Thanks!

Great video! Can you convert my 2 Chinese-made jigmaster reels over to the American-made version?

Dismissing the new 500 as junk is entertaining but misleading. Every single component on the new Penn 500 might not last 50 years, but at its price point it still beats the competition hands down. Some of the older Jigmasters also use a bronze alloy bridge instead of the chromed bronze bridge. Stainless steel was terribly hard to machine when the 500 was introduced, and it corrodes when fully immersed in water for a period of time. Bronze holds up much better to saltwater. Regardless, the 500 is a great boat reel, but I'd put the $65-$75 towards a Squall if my mission profile required any distance casting.

Yes I have heard that with the china made reels looking for a new penn jigmaster reel not sure

About a month ago I looked at a new penn 209m reel handel looked bent

So penn china or penn usa for most bigfish? Just different material for two product?

Good basic reel jig master

What do you think of the reel the penn 9 m Any good thanks 😊

Hello , i have the chinese one is it possible to buy from you an american one in very good condition ? i am in Greece

What are the differences between the squidder 140 and the jigmaster 500?

Your opening comment is you have had it several years.......... so it cant be so bad then.

In other words, there is no comparison. From South Africa.

I received 2 Penn 500 reels in a yard sale.. one of each USA and China..both seem to work fine but a little dirty.... I loosened the screw but I cant get either one apart, I didn't want to pry them and chance breaking the bakelite,,,what can I do?

Who’s fault is this? Seems like it’s Penn’s IMO. The Chinese company I would imagine is building it to Penn’s specs

American made products are always better

I have a 506 it looks like the china parts inside.where the 506 ever made in china?

A lot of people want a american made product