blackened barrel swivels

Thank you for the welcome. I'm another newbie for sure. So, here's my first question. I need a recommendation, please, for size, type and source for blackened barrel swivels. also same for 3-way swivels.

Try Tackle Direct, Amazon, Bass Pro/Cabelas for starters. GL,

Thank you. Been there, done those sites. All anxious to sell with somewhat unbelievable hype! I'd appreciate some real-world, practical advice and direction so as to stock up a new tacklebox without wasting money on junk. Can you recommend size, type and brand for quality blackened barrel swivels. also same for 3-way swivels.

Not sure exactly what you are needing, but eagle claw ( found at Walmart ) is mainly what I buy when purchasing snap swivels, barrel swivels and 3 way barrel swivels! Size is mainly on what you want to use! If you look on the net, you can get a weight rating for each size!


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Thank you. One last question for now...what does the "weight" rating refer to? is it to the tensile strength of the line?

What Size Swivel for Surf Fishing? – Fish From Beach

I know it says surf fishing, but it’s a general strength chart


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Thank you very much for the link! This bit of info is the cornerstone I needed.

"What dictates the swivel size to use?

The rule here is simple. You need to match your swivel to the heaviest line it will be attached to.
What does this mean? It means that if your swivel is going to connect a 20lb test line to 15lb test leader, then the swivel needs to be able to handle at least 20lbs of weight."

Again Thanks,
and until next time,
Tom (guppie)

Smart of you to seeketh quality, and stock them swivels what will still be worth using years later, vs. cheap stuff best stored in some drawer somewhere never to be used. Swivels are not all equal by any means, and the sizing is always an issue.

Seems China has all the factories where high grade swivels can be made. They call them “rolling swivels”. I would start with those. Trick is to look around for long time, then order small amounts to sample. These are all pretty much the same, and from the same Chinese factory, so expect them to all look the same, however the pictures shown to you might not be what is delivered. Long boat from China you know and returns are difficult. On EBay there are some American sellers of Chinese rolling swivels and they would probably satisfy whatever needs you might have. I recommend these. The cost will work out fine.

“Ball Bearing swivels” are also very nice when sourced from those same Chinese factories our tax dollars subsidized so they could secure the ball bearing manufacturing market, pretty much world wide at this point. Many guys swear by these and will use nothing else. Very strong for their size.

The weight rating you mentioned is an estimate that seems kind of a guess situation. The Chinese know we fishermen like ratings for strength. You probably will not be able to pull hard enough to ever break one, so if you like them and want to try, may I recommend the Size O. No bass, crappie or even catfish will ever test it truly anyways. Biggest threat is thin wire slicing line.

So the deal is this. It is not how strong is my swivel, but how easily does my swivel swivel ?

Strength is not really something you would need to be concerned with. However, a swivel that doesn’t exactly swivel can foul your line, reel and your good times. That is what is concerning here. To test a rolling type of swivel, to see how easily it swivels, lay it on the hood of your truck, let go and watch. If it rolls clean off the hood and kind of fast, you have a great swivel. This means that the swivel’s machined tolerances are good, that there is little to no resistance to swivelling.

The ball bearing swivels can be better than the rolling, however that is kind of a limited affair. If no pressure is being applied by pulling along the rod to hook length, the rolling swivel will easy out spin the ball bearing. Easily. But place some pull, some stress pulling the swivel apart, and things begin to go in the other direction. See the ball bearing swivel’s design will not allow pressure to be brought against it’s bearings when being pulled. Different design. Pull hard on it and test for swivel, and it will still spin about. The rolling swivel may not spin as easily when stressed, or even at all when full pressure is being applied. That design tends to capture the wires when pressure is applied. This diminishes it’s ability to swivel. Try to remember that. No pressure- go with rolling. If there is pressure- go with ball bearing.

I have a mix of the two. I like small swivels, and tend to keep my swivels as small as possible. As long as I still get some swivel, smaller sized makes better sense than large. A 30 lb rated swivel will hold up just fine no matter what. So look to reduce the signature and profile of a swivel present, by going smaller, and worry not so much about fake strength ratings.

To order really good Chinese rolling swivels, you will need to spend some time looking at lengths, not ratings of strength. Try to stay small. Did I mention that I suggest smaller not larger. Their Chinese standards are not fully Americanized standards, and truth told there is no American standard anyways. Same story with hooks. Size O ball bearing and for rolling look at lengths.

I taught myself how to trim cut the swivel wired loop just so, just to add a spinner blade without using a split ring. Showed here that they sell swivels where one eye is already cut and ready to be bent back in place for adding a blade without split ring.

A name brand of quality swivels, if you need one, is Tsunami.

There are so many other things that are just waiting to be a challenge for you. I look forward to reading your experiences as you advance.

Thank you so much. Your experience is much appreciated, and I will study this closely! I'll also reply again.

Cordially,
Tom:Cowboy

You can check Hagens Fishing Components Made in the US | Hagen's Fishing Components- I get a lot of stuff from them. You don't have to purchase by the thousand you can buy less.

Welcome from Alabama Tom. Glad you are finding answers to your questions.

Mike

These folks gave you good straight answers and Hagen's has been my supplier for more than 30 years. Great people to work with. They treat me, the small guy the same as a big company buying from them. I ordered on time and the porch pirates beat me to it. Hagen's replaced my order FREE of charge. I have got a very small order to check to see if I liked it at a minimal fee.

Thank you, Mike. What a nice bunch of neighbors to have!
Cordially,
Tom

Thank you, Mike, and Thank you Grumpy Loomis. That's the kind of kind and experienced information I needed to keep motating forward.
Tom in Iowa