In June 2022, the magnetic brakes on both the Black Knight 2 BFS reel and the Tsurinoya Dark Wolf Ultra were made stronger. However - they also turned a dynamic braking system into a static one. After trying it out - I still can't believe the results.
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Kyorim Black Knight 2 BFS Reel Background
- Kyorim is a fishing tackle brand based in Weihai, China. Their Black Knight 2 BFS reel shares the same platform as Tsurinoya's Dark Wolf Ultra KF 50S. Both of these reels were originally released as updated and vastly improved models compared to the Black Knight 1 and basic Dark Wolf KC50S.
- Of particular note in the updated models are the incredibly light weights of their stock spools (see below for stats). Both companies are based in Weihai City - and technology is clearly shared between these and other brands.
- However, many anglers (myself included) found the casting brakes for the first batches of the updated reels too weak to cope with a wide range of lures and casting styles - particularly for throwing tiny lures over longer distances or with quick, snappy casting actions.
I had a ton of fun experimenting with different additional magnet configurations (a typical solution used for Shimano BFS reels when fitted with after market Avail spools). With the right combination of magnets added, the dynamic brakes of the DWU were absolutely transformed - and the reel became a Budget BFS beast; out-casting the stock Alphas Air TW 20 in my tests.
That was truly astonishing to me - but how does the Black Knight 2 BFS reel stack up?
Black Knight 2 Specifications
Spool weight without the bearing - just 0.3g (5.6%) heavier than the DWU
Triangular line guide - presenting a much shallower angle to line leaving the spool during casting compared to the DWU
The major differences between the Black Knight 2 BFS reel and the DWU are the line guide design (above) and also the stock bearings - which are ceramic and supplied ungreased in the BK2. This is compared to the stainless steel, heavily greased DWU bearings. A slight difference in spool weight exists - with the DWU being a little lighter. I wondered what difference these variations might make when it came to casting an ultralight lure in a head to head comparison...particularly when considering the biggest difference of all:
It is important for me to mention that my (2021) DWU has the dynamic braking system - whereas the Black Knight 2 I tested had been switched to the new, static braking system since it was bought after June 2022...And I was shocked at how well it ended up performing.
If you want to try the reel for yourself, it is reliably available from Aliexpress - which means you can make a great saving on cost (though a delivery time of between 2 and several weeks is required to make that saving). The build up of anticipation isn't the worst thing in the world though!
Click the image or button below to check the current price and availability from the supplier my nephew used to buy his reel (the same reel he kindly let me use for this review - thanks Liam!):
When it came to the original versions of both reels (with dynamic brakes), the exact same magnet upgrade worked just as well on the, identical, braking system of the Black Knight 2 as it did in the DWU.
Then... the factory update happened.
So what did that mean?
Black Knight 2 and Dark Wolf Ultra Both Switched to Static Braking Systems (June 2022)
The Dark Wolf Ultra (DWU) on the left is lying flat - while the Black Knight 2 is tilted slightly upwards. However, you can see the similarlity between components.
Before I get to the field-test casting comparison between the dynamic braked Dark Wolf Ultra and the new, Static-braked Black Knight 2 - I wanted to explain exactly what I mean by "dynamic" and "static" for these two reels. It doesn't, for example, stop you from adjusting the overall strength of braking:
Spring loaded "shoes" (left) move in and out against springs during the cast to create stronger braking when the spool spins faster. However, the starting braking strength when the spool is static is controlled by a dial which moves the entire bank of brakes into (or out of) the inside of the spool (right)
What Did the Factory Actually Change?
In response to the feedback that the casting brakes (not the drag!) were too weak in these reels, the factory producing the braking units kept the same basic components BUT, they locked the brake shoes in the "out" position - pushing the magnets closer to the inside of the spool.
Spool and "dyamic-to-static" converted brakes on the Kyorim Black Knight 2 BFS reel (note the orange shields on the ceramic stock bearings)
So, while you can still change the strength of the braking using the dial on the side-plate; that automatic drop-off of the braking force at the end of the cast is lost. Because I'd been doing ridiculous things like throwing bead head fly fishing nymphs (weighing just over 0.4g) on that dynamic braking system - I thought that the move to static braking was a bad move; but why?
"MagTrax" style Brakes in the Clamber or Zephyr vs. Upgraded Bearings
When I upgraded the bearings in the Dynamically-braked DWU to Roro microbearings, I added significant distance and accuracy when casting a 1-g Trout magnet. However, my previous experience of upgrading bearings on reels with static braking systems (such as the KastKing Zephyr and Fishband Clamber Hyper Micro) made very little difference.
Adjustable, static brakes from the Fishband Clamber Hyper Micro similar to the MagTrax concept originally developed by Abu Garcia
In fact, it could even feel like it made the reel less forgiving and easier to backlash if the settings weren't exactly tuned to each lure change. That lack of a really big performance boost seemed to be a result of the constant braking force not allowing the bearings to run freely at the end of the cast.
This seemed to be made worse by having to turn the brakes up higher to control the initial, super-fast start up of the spool when throwing light lures quite hard. So, any gains made from the reduced inertia provided by the bearings tend to be lost by needing to turn the brakes up higher.
My experiences with those static brakes are what made my heart sink when I heard that the Black Knight 2 and DWU had gone to a static system - given how incredible the performance is with the upgraded dynamic brakes...
But was there a surprise in store for me on that front?
Brake Adjustment dial and brake plate on the Kyorim Black Knight 2
Casting Performance of the Black Knight 2 (Static Brakes Surprise)
Setting up the Black Knight 2 with 50-m of 13lb Berkley Fireline Crystal allowed me to compare casting performance with the DWU loaded with the same amount of the same braid. Using the Tsurinoya Ares C472 UL rod for both reels helped to keep comparisons as consistent as possible and choosing a 1-g total-weight Trout Magnet lure is a genuine test for even the most expensive BFS reels.
How would the static brakes, ceramic stock bearings and conical line guide of the Black Knight 2 match up against the dynamic brake DWU with upgraded bearings? Casting against the tape (or surveyor's wheel) are the most reliable tests I can think of. With 1-g lures, the distances are short enough to make tape measurement easy to do.
For a broader comparison, I also threw the Trout Magnet on the Daiwa Alphas Air TW 20 with the 2022 Roro AX22 spool (and Roro BFS ST bearings). Because this was such a different setup, I also just kept the 30-m of 4lb Trilene fluorocarbon on the Alphas.
For simplicity, I took ten casts with the Black Knight 2 and ten with the DWU; and then kept the longest cast with each. For the Daiwa, I just took three or four casts for interest's sake.
Cast Results
Reel | Longest Cast |
|---|---|
Black Knight 2 | 11.5m |
Dark Wolf Ultra | 11.3m |
Upgraded Alphas Air | 13.1m |
The conditions for this test meant casting into a slight headwind - and the longest cast for the DWU was a lot shorter than in previous tests (where the same setup cast over 13.0m). For the full story, it is necessary to flag up that the Dark Wolf had been worked really hard on stream for many months - compared to the Black Knight being cast while new. The braid is also getting a bit "furry" and is due for replacement...
BUT with all that said the static brakes Black Knight 2 cast amazingly well - and even reached slightly further than the dynamic braked reel with a lighter spool and upgraded bearings. That really took me by surprise.
I feel that this experiment has forced me to re-think my initial response to the factory's decision to lock out the dynamic brakes to create a stronger, static, mechanism right out of the box.
It now seems that their simple solution worked out really well and also copes with ceramic bearings perfectly well.
While the numbers on paper are essential for getting an unbiased comparison - when it comes to fishing; the actual FEEL of the cast and the ease and consistency that you could get close to maximum distance is every bit as important.
Casting Feel with the Black Knight 2 BFS Reel
The most obvious takeaway for me was how easily, smoothly and straight the Trout Magnet flew out - and how comfortably protected from back-lashes it all felt. Even throwing hard for distance, it wasn't necessary to crank up the brakes and cause the lure to pull to the left in order to avoid over-spooling.
Put simply it was a joy to cast.
It is genuinely astonishing how quickly we've moved from having affordable Chinese reels that were adequate - but still vastly out-cast by premium JDM models - to a point where stock Chinese reels are only being matched in some extreme casting tests by after-market upgrades to Japanese reels. The Black Knight 2 is one such reel.
These reels feel good to fish with and offer an absolutely realistic prospect of being able to leave your spinning reel at home if you wanted to. Yes, the carbon bodies will feel more flexible and the gearing a little less premium than the best Japanese reels. But, to be able to have those choices to make according to your budget is a huge boost to BFS as a fishing style.
For me, I really like the inclusion of ceramic hybrid bearings as standard and I also feel the conical line guide is a valuable feature that might play into your buying decision.
Where to Buy your Black Knight 2
Click on the AliExpress store link below (on the image or button) to find out the current stock level and bargain pricing:
Parabéns pelo excelente trabalho o obrigado pelos esclarecimentos !
Caio,
Muito obrigado pelo seu gentil feedback. Muitas felicidades,
Paul
Hi Paul! The sellers don’t detail de kind of break (static, dynamic…) only describe as TBS system. How can I identify the kind of break? Many sellers say 2021 in the beginning of description.
The 2021 most likely refers to the overall reel body/style – since all the factory did (and would seem to be the exact same factory that makes the Dark Wolf Ultra as well as the Black Knight II) for both the DWU and the Black Knight II was to remove the springs and fuse the peg which previously allowed the brake shoes to move up and down against the tension of the spring.
You could try asking the seller directly – though they may not actually know (since they are not the OEM; Original Equipment Manufacturer).
Again, it has been the experience of myself and several other people in the BFS community that it is now impossible to buy any stock which has the older, dynamic brake.
If you wanted to be absolutely 100% on having an adjustable, static brake – then ordering the Tsurinoya Genius, Soloking Acura or Kingdom Micro Monster would get you one of these reels on essentially the same platform as the Black Knight II – only with a dedicated “magtrax” static braking system.
Paul
Do you have a updated AliExpress link with the 2022 June version (static break)
Hi Caio – I believe it’s impossible to buy the original “dynamic” version now on any link. Even when a description may say “Dynamic”, it seems that all sellers have moved over to the static version. This was true for the actual reel tested and photographed in this review (the original shop link said “dynamic” even though ordered after June 2022 – and when it arrived it was the “static” version).
Of course, it is impossible for me to say for sure which stock is still held by each individual supplier on Aliexpress (including the one linked in this article).
In case they are useful – here are two extra links you can try (pricing often changes depending what country you are browsing from):
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DlGCYQbhttps://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DlGCYQb
or
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBzwl3t
Hello again Paul. Been in France for months, and fishing has been a disaster owing to the chronic absence of rain, with some types of water closed to anglers… But I continue to read your emails with interest.
Latest re this Black Wolf reel: again, I think nothing good comes for nothing! Its maker offers a Jap-sounding name, but it’s Chinese – and I thought we were weaning ourselves off China’s products? I certainly am, and this extends to AliExpress.
I continue to use ABU & Shimano, customised with Avail kit.
Kind regards, Tony
I guess each to their own Tony. For my part I think it is a complex situation whereby I don’t necessarily judge an entire people by their government. As an example, roro studio is a father and son (literally 2 employees) family outfit making outstanding quality stuff in small, artisan batches. Do I begrudge them a living because they are Chinese? Absolutely not.
OK there may well be sound reasons to avoid having too much Chinese tech in our telecommunications systems when there is a good chance of governmental involvement/potential espionage… However, I’m not sure of that applies to niche fishing tackle manufacturers. Plus, I’ve seen at first hand many, many times over how people who would never have tried BFS (or baitcasters in general) because of what they see as a huge gamble on higher priced gear have gone on to both enjoy that style of fishing and also purchase brands across all price points.
God help us if people round the world start judging individual Brits based on their recent and current choices of government…😂
Paul
Point taken Paul. My reluctance to buy Chinese is purely because the PRC’s governnment is aggressively expansionist, with chunks of the S.China Sea already seized, and renewed vows to take Taiwan by force. I don’t think they should be subsidised by Western consumers..
What you say about RoRo is interesting: after learning about them here, I ordered direct from them in HK (I don’t count that as quite the same as China proper, and a very long time ago I was there briefly), they arrived promptly, good service, and they’ve improved my 40-yr-old Ambassadeur 1000 significantly – together with an Avail spool. Fishing in France (I got back a week ago) this year was a disaster, hardly any rain, low water everywhere, fishing prohibited in certain classes of water. But I managed a few small largemouths, using in fact my customised ABU 1000 on (as usual) a DIY rod, plus small curlytail plastic grubs – I use only soft plastics these days, a revelation, largely weedless and far less expensive.
rgds Tony
Paul,
Would this reel be a good choice for someone with many years of fishing experience but no BFS experience? Thanks!
-Glenn
Glenn – it’s a very forgiving first choice of reel yes. It will cast down to very light lure weights, has bearings that you don’t need to do anything with right out of the box and also has strong brakes which can control the spool well.
Paul