Hello everyone. I have been looking at these reels on Ebay. I question if they are worth the money. I have never used one. My reels are all the older curados and revos. I would like another reel for cranking and have considered one of these Lew's. What is everyone's opinion on the Lew's reels. Looking at BB1NG.

Love them. I collect them too and have many in my collection and some that I use.

I have the older BB-1 as well as the BB-1L, BB-1LG, BB-2N, BB-1N, BB-1NH, BB-1NG, BB-1NGH, BB-1N SW, and the later models in BB-19 GS, BB-25 SS, BB-25 SW, and some other ones.

I have them new in box and used ones and used in excellent conditon. I love to collect them. They are good reels too.

I still have 2 in service. The old BB1NG was about the sweetest deep crankbait reel I have ever found. Everyone thinks the Revo Wench is the best, but those people may not have had the chance to throw one of these reels. When they came out with the last 3 that AJ mentioned, they seemed to not have the same perforance of the old originals. Make sure they are in good working order, because sometimes, the pawl would break off, if mistreated.

Still LOVE those old reels.

Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains

Anybody service these reels or are parts and schematics available?? I've got one I would like to use as my cranking reel but bearings or something are going out, have trouble with casting distance..also anti-reverse can be sketchy sometimes....

love the reels so somebody point me in the right direction...

I have BB1-N, NG and NGH. Didn't realize they ever made a NH. Think I still have 10 or 12 of the things and always have a couple in the boat. I recently made a comparison between the BB1-N and Curado 100, 200, Chronarch and Daiwa 153HSTA. Using a 7'9" Rod throwing a C-rig with 3/4 oz sinker. The BB1 easily outdistanced the others and the Curados have been supertuned and have ABEC 7 bearings. IMO the best reels ever made.

The BB1 series use the same spool bearings as the Shimano Curado/Chronarch. I believe it's 10x3x4 mm. There are no parts currently being manufactured for them. When Zebco/Quantum ceased production several years back, I ordered all their remaining pawls, worm gears and anti-reverse ratchets, so I'm pretty much set up for the rest of my life. Other than a few wear sensitive parts the BB-1 series of reels are pretty much indestructible.

Love to hear and talk about Lew's reels from fellow Lew's reel lovers.

Hi Cmack, I love the older Lew's reels too. Best reels ever made in my opinion as well. And I still use a BB-1N today that's around 20 years old.

But I agree with you. The BB-1N and the BB-1NH are my favorite among the Lew's reels. Especially with the V-spool. And I have upgraded one of mine that I use to ABEC-7 bearings too. I have a bunch new in box and some used and used in excellent condition.

Here is one of my BB-1NH new in box:





And my prized BB-1N that I have had since I was a kid. I have many BB-1Ns, some new in box and others used and in good and excellent condition but this is a tuned one with upgraded bearings and drag washers I've had since I was a kid and it's about 20 years old. Caught many fish on it. And I have to say that I prefer this reel over any new Shimano today. Love the Lew's reels. Anyways here's my prized Lew's BB-1N that I have used for many years and it has held up for many years of saltwater fishing:

I have a BB1NG. Had it for 30 yrs best I can remember. I use it for crank baits, good reel. Wish they had made one with a thumb bar.

I have a couple of the BB-1s don't use them anymore because if the pinion wallers out you can;t get another.

So AJ, do you have any of the 1 models you'd be willing to part ways with?

No I had bought them new so I am kind of attached to them.

AJ,I will differ with you on the V-spools, I have never cared for them. Some of my older Shimano built BB1-Ns have the V-spool but I always switch out to a regular one. Looks like I'm about to come into 4 or 5 more NGs. They have a good bit of wear as they were used in salt water but they give me bunch of parts. I'd love to see someone buy the patents and bring them back with an instant anti-reverse but I don't see it happening. The guys at Zebco/Quantum told me that the reason for discontinuing them was the cost of production. If you disassemble a Lews and look at the quality of the machining and how well things are put together you will realize that even today's era of $500+ dollar reels the old Lews still have no contemporary. If they were built with magnesium frames for light weight a couple more bearings and instant anti- reverse, I would gladly scrape up the bucks for one. Ain't gonna happen though but a guy can still dream......

I have a new in the box BB1NG. Also have a bigger one, more of a catfish reel. I had no idea they were sought after. I forgot that I had them until I read this. Looks like it time to spool them up.

How bout you AJ Perez? Do you have any you would be willing to sell? For that matter, does any1 on here have a good BB1N or BB1NG for sale?

Cmack my original Lews made by shimano don't have v spools.