“HAGANE”

“HAGANE” is more than just a material name; it’s a design philosophy centered around creating reels that offer unmatched longevity and smoothness. The term "HAGANE" itself, which means "steel" in Japanese, symbolizes strength and resilience. However, in Shimano's context, it transcends traditional interpretations, representing a suite of advanced technologies aimed at enhancing performance and durability. In other words, when they say "HAGANE", they do not actually mean that HAGANE(= steel) is used. “HAGANE” promises robustness that can be used with peace of mind even in the harshest of conditions, an unchanging, exquisite winding feel, and winding power that exceeds the imagination."HAGANE Gear" or "HAGANE Body" is Shimano's engineering concept and philosophy.

X-PROTECT 

X-PROTECT combines a labyrinth structure with special water-repellent grease to provide strong protection against water intrusion into the reel's interior. The system is designed with a non-contact structure to maintain light rotational performance. In addition to traditional water-repellent treatments, the labyrinth structure effectively blocks water entry, ensuring high waterproof performance without direct contact. X-PROTECT provides robust protection for the spool-side bearing of the drive gear shaft. Additionally, a waterproof barrier is placed inside the spool to further reduce water intrusion into the spool shaft bearing.

SA-RB

A-RB bearings feature a special anti-corrosion treatment that significantly improves their rust resistance. The SA-RB takes this further by sealing the sides with anti-corrosion materials, greatly reducing salt crystallization and salt damage inside the bearing.