Pflueger Fishing Reel Akron 1893-L With Box Papers & Tag Vintage Line READ
Vintage reel with bare metal components and no coating on record.
This mechanical reel uses brass and steel components recorded as bare metal without a surface coating or treatment. The brand has no PFAS statement on record.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
brass, steel, mechanical components, bare metal
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Pflueger Fishing Reel Akron Line READ is made of, ingredients and materials
This Pflueger Akron reel is constructed primarily from brass and steel mechanical components with no coatings, enamels, or synthetic polymers in contact with fishing line or hands. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc that does not leach toxic compounds under normal use conditions. The bare metal construction eliminates risks associated with degrading protective coatings, ceramic glazes, or plastic components that can shed microparticles or chemical additives.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Metal corrosion and rust (steel components)
Steel internal springs and fasteners may corrode if exposed to moisture for extended periods, potentially releasing tiny metal particles into fishing line or causing mechanical failure; not a direct health hazard but a functional safety issue.
Lubricant residue (historic)
Vintage reels may retain original oil-based or grease lubricants that are not labeled; these are typically mineral oil or animal fat and unlikely to transfer to hands or line, but specific product history is unknown.
What’s reassuring
Bare uncoated material
Recorded as a bare, uncoated material with no surface coating or treatment.
Brass surface patina oxidation
Brass develops a blue-green or brown patina over time, which is chemically inert and poses no leaching risk during normal handling or line contact.
Lead
The Akron 1893-L appears to use bare brass and steel with no applied enamels or decorative coatings; if any paint or plating is present, vintage manufacturing (pre-1970s) may have used lead-based formulations, but this is unlikely on a mechanical fishing reel.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding from synthetic components
This vintage reel contains no plastic housings, seals, or drag materials; no microplastic risk is present.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Pflueger is a legacy American fishing equipment manufacturer with no recorded safety recalls or chemical disclosure statements specific to this vintage reel model. The company has not published PFAS policies or certifications, which is typical for mechanical fishing tackle producers. No public controversies regarding hazardous materials in Pflueger fishing reels are documented in consumer safety databases.
How it compares in its category
Vintage all-metal fishing reels have lower concern regarding plastic housings, lubricant additives, or treated textiles that can degrade over decades compared to modern composite reels that may incorporate these materials. Modern reels also sometimes use Teflon-type coating-based drag materials that pose inhalation risks if overheated. This 1893-era design predates synthetic materials entirely, making chemical hazard exposure essentially structural rather than chemical.
If you buy it
Store the reel dry to prevent corrosion of brass and steel components; light surface oxidation is cosmetic and does not affect safety. Avoid submerging in fresh or saltwater for extended periods without drying, as moisture can degrade internal mechanical tolerances and promote rust. Vintage brass can develop a patina but does not release harmful compounds during normal handling or light fishing use. Check that the drag system moves freely before extended use.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 85% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Pflueger has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More fishing line grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.