Lews vs diawa. The company in general. Performance and durability. What are your thoughts?

The company or the brand? Both are reputable companies with good customer service. On paper, the Daiwa reels have better features. On the water, whether or not those features benefit you is preference. Longevity wise both are acceptable if cared for. I’d expect the Daiwa’s to have better life due to the bearing supported pinion gear. 

Both make decent gear.  I've used customer service from both numerous times and Lews I have found to be much better.  Not to say that Diawa was bad, but I have called with multiple technical questions and the person who answers the phone at Diawa (I swear I get the same lady every single time) clearly has no clue how to answer product related questions, but is always courteous and friendly.

 

Every time I have called Lews with questions, I hang up with answers.

 

None of this would sway my decision on which company to buy a reel, or rod from.  They both make great stuff, and have gotten a ton of my $.

My thoughts are get what you like. Don’t worry about it.

I like Lews just a little more...just saying

Diawa IMO is far superior. Shimano and Diawa are by far the 2 best reel manufacturers. 

Lews, just need to get something in their line like the DC or SV spool.  I still like the BB1 and Tournamnet MB better than anything if the bait is 3/8 ounce or more.  Definitely better customer service with Lews.  Both are better than Shimano, Abu, and 13.

40 minutes ago, CountryboyinDC said:

Lews, just need to get something in their line like the DC or SV spool.  I still like the BB1 and Tournamnet MB better than anything if the bait is 3/8 ounce or more.  Definitely better customer service with Lews.  Both are better than Shimano, Abu, and 13.

 

Whoa!  Trying to start a war, are we? 

2 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

 

Whoa!  Trying to start a war, are we? 

No, I probably should have said that a little better.  I'm just talking customer service.  I hope that doesn't start a war.

Gotcha.  I took it the other way.  I knew you would be in trouble with the Shimano guys if you meant that Daiwa and Lew's were better reels than Shimano.    If I'm not careful, I will be starting a war. 

11 hours ago, CountryboyinDC said:

Lews, just need to get something in their line like the DC or SV spool.  I still like the BB1 and Tournamnet MB better than anything if the bait is 3/8 ounce or more.  Definitely better customer service with Lews.  Both are better than Shimano, Abu, and 13.

I agree, great customer service is needed for brands that have many issues guess thats why Shimano CS is rather poor.

I have nothing against Lew's but they certainly don't have the engineering experience that companies like Shimano or Daiwa have. Lew's and a handful of other companies have their reels made by third party manufacturers but to their specifications. Oftentimes components can be interchangeable between brands. Whereas you aren't going to see a Steez or an Antares in a manufacturers catalogue. You can look at YT channels like TackleAdvisor if you want to see reels broken down and discussed in detail.

If your looking to keep your reels for years of use.  I don't know about Lew's but I've had parts ordered for 2 of my Tatula reels for a month now, Daiwa can't keep up. 

26 minutes ago, bhoff said:

I have nothing against Lew's but they certainly don't have the engineering experience that companies like Shimano or Daiwa have. Lew's and a handful of other companies have their reels made by third party manufacturers but to their specifications. Oftentimes components can be interchangeable between brands. Whereas you aren't going to see a Steez or an Antares in a manufacturers catalogue. You can look at YT channels like TackleAdvisor if you want to see reels broken down and discussed in detail.

I heard that the engineers who designed the "speed spool" series used to work at shimano, i just looked this up to verify and i cant find anything online abt it but another member on this forum brought it up in some long forgotten thread. So im not sure how true his statement was.

27 minutes ago, BadBassWV said:

If your looking to keep your reels for years of use.  I don't know about Lew's but I've had parts ordered for 2 of my Tatula reels for a month now, Daiwa can't keep up. 

i got a replacement spool and reel handle from lews in 4 days.... 12 dollars in total not under warranty either just called up and told them what i needed.

Correct me if I'm wrong. 

 

Diawa makes great reels.

Lew's sells great reels made in China by someone else.

Shimano and Daiwa both manufacture their own reels and are phenomenal. As said by Bhoff, if you want to have a reel to last you for years Shimano and Diawa are they way to go. Abu use to make great reels but not quite sure the same quality is there. Lews at one time was actually using Shimano to build their reels. I believe they are made by DOYO now. 

 

Ultimately, buy what you want you like. But always buy quality. 

1 hour ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Correct me if I'm wrong. 

 

Diawa makes great reels.

Lew's sells great reels made in China by someone else.

Korea

a little dated still a good read ...

14 hours ago, Stephen B said:

Diawa IMO is far superior. Shimano and Diawa are by far the 2 best reel manufacturers. 

This ^^^^ 

 

Been there, done that with everything else. They just don't hold a candle to Daiwa and Shimano. Even high-end Abu, Lews, Quantum, etc...stuff rarely lasts as long and performs as well as the middle of the road working man's grade Daiwa and Shimano reels. Sweedish made Abu's might be the exception, but those are rarely desirable for bass fishing anymore.

3 hours ago, BadBassWV said:

If your looking to keep your reels for years of use.  I don't know about Lew's but I've had parts ordered for 2 of my Tatula reels for a month now, Daiwa can't keep up. 

I had to get a rod tip from Daiwa once and it took them several months to send it.

Love my Daiwa and Lew's reels. I expect to have my reels from both companies for many years to come as they are well built and sturdy reels.

 

Daiwa Vs Lew's = both winners in my book.

 

 

Both great brands, I like lews because of personal preference and they feel better to me.  I don't believe either brand is significantly better than the other.  You're gonna get different things from each. 

 

Other than a couple of gen 2 Revo Winches and a gen 1 Pflueger Patriarch XT I am strictly Daiwa and Shimano. The other companies make good products and I am not knocking them, I just prefer the quality and innovation of Daiwa and Shimano.

At the entry level price point I don’t think there’s a dimes worth of difference between most aluminum body reels from any of the major manufacturers. Shimano and daiwa separate from the pack once you start moving towards higher end equipment. 

Hands down Daiwa.