Abu & Penn "Made in Asia" Does it matter ?

[fcap60]

I can’t help but notice all the negativity that anglers on several web-sites post in regards to many fishing reels, particularly, Penn and Abu reels being made in Asia (China, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, etc.). So, while I have a little down-time this week, I looked at some of my fishing gear, household appliances, autos, etc. and started to ask myself “What’s the big deal” about a couple of fishing reels now being made in Asia. First of all, this is not a post about national pride, diverse cultures, politics, international economics, pointing the finger at any nationality, or national security, etc.

Here’s what I learned looking at some items in my house:

1. Black and Decker Can opener (Made in China)
2. Docker Socks-(Made in Ghana and Korea)
3. Docker shoes (Made in Brazil)
4. Redfins (Made in Mexico)
5. VMC Hooks (Viva la France !)
6. Chevy Impala (USA)
7. Chevy Blazer (USA)
8. Nissan/Honda/Lexis/Toyota (Japan)
9. Kia and Hundai (Korea)
10. Damiler/Chrysler Pacifica (USA/Germany)
11. Berkely and Ande Monofilament (USA)
12. Orvis Waders (China)
13. Redington Waders (Thailand)
14. Hodgeman Boots and Waders (China)
15. Old Penn Reels (USA- some had premature bail flips, screws loosening-up, and out-of-wack gears; others were heavy workhorses)
16. New Penn Reels (Asia-???)
17. Old Abus 7000s (Sweden)
18. New Abu 7000s (Asia)
19. All my TV sets and computer equipment (ASIA)
20. Nike Sneakers (China)

O.K. you get the point. I can actually remember when many Americans thought that Japanese cars were poorly made and CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP. but I’ll be bruatly honest, I spent more money on repairs to my Chevy Impala and Chevy Blazer in the first two years of ownership, than I spent in 15 years of owning foreign cars.

If the Warranties behind the product are fundamentally identical to what they were when the reels were being made in the country of origin, what else matters. So, my question to you is very specific. Has the quality or the build standard of the product worsened, been changed, or has it improved ? I will ask you to please state specific facts about your Penn and ABU experiences, not your emotional responses or response in connection with national pride. (I will put this on a couple of sites as I’m very interested to know what others think)

Thanks