Hardy Brothers.
Of all the companies involved in manufacturing and supplying fishing tackle, there is no doubt that Hardy Brothers of Alnwick stand out as the foremost maker. Now, this is a sweeping statement that certainly will be challenged by many people.
We can look at some reasons for this, longevity of existence, and quality of tackle. However, more important, they marked everything that left the factory from 1872 to today. This fact, plus the availability of the extensive range of catalogues they produced, makes it easier to pinpoint exact dates of manufacture. We also have access to the production book to tell if an item is common, scarce, unique or rare.
Yes, there were better reel makers, better rod makers, and more inventive designers. David Slater and Percy Wadham made more aesthetic reels than Hardy. Gregory was the finest bait maker, and Allcock and Milward produced more rods, reels, and tackle. However, no other maker managed to fuse many attributes into one company over a long period.
William Hardy
Even I, with very few Hardy items in my collection, must admit to their greatness and recognise their preeminent position in the world of tackle makers. How did this situation occur, and what has sustained it?
The company started in 1872, according to its official history. Unlike so many tackle makers of the past, it is still in business today. I know other companies started trading many years ago, but do they still make tackle today?
As John Drewett points out in his book, the first advert placed in the Alnwick Mercury on 26th July 1873 states that they will commence business on Saturday 2nd August 1873.
In 1873 Hardy’s were making and selling good quality tackle that was slightly more expensive than the average available. It is still the case today; a 9-foot graphite fly rod costs a little over £200 (February 1996), and although they have had their ups and downs over the years, they survived.
This page will list many articles published in the Antique Tackle Observer.
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Hardy Eureka No 2 ReelEd Zern was a well known and widely respected author who at one time owned a unique Hardy Reel The Tobique Rivers Reel. This article explores how it might have came to be.
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Ed Zern & the Tobique Rivers ReelEd Zern was a well known and widely respected author who at one time owned a unique Hardy Reel The Tobique Rivers Reel. This article explores how it might have came to be.
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Hardy Super Silex Casting ReelThe Hardy Super Silex began life in 1928 as a reel very similar to its stable mate the Silex Major. It is a reel with an internal drum and a cut-out rim to allow palming of the reel. This reel also has a brass ratchet regulator with two ivorine moon indicators or gauges.
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Hardy Brothers of AlnwickOf all the companies who have ever been involved in the manufacture and supply of fishing tackle, there is no doubt that Hardy Brothers of Alnwick stand out as the foremost maker. Now, this is a sweeping statement that certainly will be challenged by many people.
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Hardy Tournament ReelsJohn Drewett’s book “Hardy Brothers” dedicates a whole chapter to Tournament reels up to 1955, and this article is only to bring people up to date on new information available since the book was published. James Leighton Hardy wrote his history of the company “The House the Hardy Brothers Built”, and once the manuscript was complete, he decided to sell the balance of reels and other items he possessed.