I've got several of the original Lew's reels. From the first Shimano made Lew's through the Ryobi manufacturing switch, the Lew's of the '80's were light years ahead of their competition worldwide. I'm sure if I unboxed and lubed them they would work as well as most others made today. The earlier rods were strikingly different as well, be it componants used or design, those rods also propelled industry wide rod building towards the future. Current model rods I've only held in hand and don't see much difference with other rods in their priceline.