I have friends that use nothing but shimanos.They spend a lot of money on them.Then they break for whatever reason.I still have my Avocates though.I see them snapping the bail shut with them turning the handle.Oh well,lol.I have a vintage 1973 Mitchell 308 that I still use for dock shooting because of the wide spool.It is in perfect shape,now that one you HAVE to close the bail while reeling with the handle.But it is all metal everything,not plastic.