Emblem S-H series
The famous baboons! Easily recognised by their black finish and distinctive red rear covers, which leave little doubt about where their nickname came from. They succeeded the Longbeam ST-H and the PM-H series, with the red colouring likely carried over from them. As the original entry‑level Emblems, they are the lowest specced models in the range, yet remain among the most sought‑after. Their true cult status was undoubtedly helped by the fact that they were the reels of choice for Terry Hearn back in the mid 90s.
History
Terry Hearn with his S5000H's on the bank
The Longbeam ST-H series (JDM) and the PM-H series (for export) were entry-level long cast reels, introduced in 1989 and 1990. The Emblem S-H series is their successor, replacing both.
The series was released in Japan in 1993 and first appeared in the 1994 catalogue, as is always the case in Japan, one year after release. For export markets, they were released a year later, in 1994, although only in a few European countries. In the UK, they first appeared in the 1994 Daiwa UK catalogue, although the S4500H was not included in the line-up. As Daiwa changed its grade system, the Longbeam ST-H series became the Emblem S-H series, with ‘H’ meaning ‘High speed’ (gear ratio). ‘S’ perhaps stands for ‘Standard’ or ‘Starter’, although this is unconfirmed.
In terms of specifications and technical design, they were very similar to their predecessors. The largest improvement was Gyrospin, which is a balanced rotor for improved smoothness. The S-H series also featured oversized metal line rollers. Furthermore, the side cover showing the model name was replaced with a cheap sticker. As entry-level variants in the new Emblem series, they featured only one ball bearing on the pinion gear, a simple handle knob, and no ball bearing in the line roller.
The S-H series developed a cult following, starting with Terry Hearn, one of Britain’s most influential carp anglers. Renowned for catching some of the country’s largest carp, he landed Mary in 1996, then the UK record carp, using Emblem S5000Hs. Along with their short availability in the UK, this made them highly sought after among anglers.
The S-H series was already discontinued after 1995 and succeeded by the Emblem S-T series.
Japanese Daiwa catalogue (1994)
UK Daiwa catalogue (1995)
Releases
In Japan, all four sizes in the series were released in 1993. The smallest models, the S4500H and S5000H, share the same body size and use a 30 mm stroke. The larger S5500H and S6000H also share a common body size, using a 35 mm stroke instead. The smaller models have a high-speed 5.1:1 gear ratio, while the larger models have a slightly different high-speed ratio of 4.6:1. All reels were supplied with a cloth bag and spool reducer.
In 1994, the S-H series was introduced to some European markets, although information remains unclear. In the UK, the S5000H, S5500H and S6000H first appeared in the 1994 catalogue and were last listed in the 1995 catalogue. The series was probably also sold in France, but was never sold in Germany. The series was sold in Belgium via Arca, a Daiwa distributor. The Emblem S-H series was discontinued in Europe after 1995, as in Japan. Any additional information regarding these markets would be greatly appreciated.
S5500H box
Model comparison
Compared with other original Emblems, the S-H series stands out visually thanks to its matt black body, glossy black rotor and distinctive red rear covers. The bail kicker has no roller and is dark grey with a red stripe, like all others except the Z series. The handle with a hard plastic knob is identical to that of the Powercast models, but only on the smaller sizes. Unlike other models in the range, and like the Powercast S30H, the model designation is a sticker rather than printed on the body.
Technically, the S-H series sits at the lower end of the original Emblems. These reels feature only one ball bearing, placed on the pinion gear. In terms of body and rotor material, as well as line roller and gear materials, they are identical to the other models in the Emblem series, with the exception of the Z series, which clearly stands apart. The S-H high-speed gear ratios are identical to the X-H series, and in the two smaller sizes they also match the Powercast models. The graphite spools lack a polished metal spool lip.
Collectabillity
The Emblem S-H models are among the most sought-after reels in the entire Emblem series. They are quite rare, as they were introduced in only a few European markets. Their production run was also quite short, as they appeared in Japanese catalogues for only three years and in European catalogues for two. In the UK, only the S5000H, S5500H and S6000H were released, making the S4500H a rarer model. Within the Emblem range, the S-H series is relatively high-priced in good condition.
Specifications
All models in this group are very similar in terms of technical design. Click the button ‘Emblem series’ for general technical information, or further info on certain subjects below.
General specifications
- Model: Emblem S4500H & S5000H
- Country of manufacture: Japan
- Production period: 1993 till 1995
- Catalogue weight:
- – S4500H: 570 g
- – S5000H: 580 g
Body & rotor
- Body material: Carbon
- Rotor material: Carbon
- Balanced rotor: Yes
Internal mechanics
- Drive gear: Hex, aluminium alloy
- Pinion gear: Brass
- Worm shaft gear: Brass
- Worm shaft: Brass, plated
- Gear ratio: 5.1 : 1 (both)
- Osc. type: Worm gear oscillation
- Main shaft: Steel, Ø6 mm
- Anti-reverse: Ratchet, inside body
- Ball bearings: 1 (Thailand)
- – Pinion gear: 1 BB (10x20x5 mm)
Spool & bail system
- Spool design: Skirtless spool
- Stroke: 30 mm
- Spool type: Long cast
- Spool material: Graphite
- Spool lip: Graphite
- Line capacity (mm/m):
- – S4500H: 0.32-350, 0.35-280, 0.40-210
- – S5000H: 0.35-370, 0.40-280, 0.45-220
- Bail type: Two-piece
- Line roller: Flat-bottomed V-type metal
- Drag type: Front drag
- Drag washers: 5 felt + 5 metal
- Clicker sound: No
Handle assembly
- Handle type: Power, foldable
- Handle shaft: Black hex
- Handle length: 85 mm
- Handle knob: T-shape, hard plastic
- Ambidextrous: Yes
General specifications
- Model: Emblem S5500H & S6000H
- Country of manufacture: Japan
- Production period: 1993 till 1995
- Catalogue weight:
- – S5500H: 620 g
- – S6000H: 625 g
Body & rotor
- Body material: Carbon
- Rotor material: Carbon
- Balanced rotor: Yes
Internal mechanics
- Drive gear: Hex, aluminium alloy
- Pinion gear: Brass
- Worm shaft gear: Super duralumin
- Worm shaft: Super duralumin
- Gear ratio: 4.6 : 1 (both)
- Osc. type: Worm gear oscillation
- Main shaft: Steel, Ø6,5 mm
- Anti-reverse: Ratchet, inside body
- Ball bearings: 1 (Thailand)
- – Pinion gear: 1 BB (10x20x5 mm)
Spool & bail system
- Spool design: Skirtless spool
- Stroke: 35 mm
- Spool type: Long cast
- Spool material: Graphite
- Spool lip: Graphite
- Line capacity (mm/m):
- – S5500H: 0.45-270, 0.50-210, 0.55-185
- – S6000H: 0.50-290, 0.55-220, 0.65-175
- Bail type: Two-piece
- Line roller: Flat-bottomed V-type metal
- Drag type: Front drag
- Drag washers: 5 felt + 5 metal
- Clicker sound: No
Handle assembly
- Handle type: Power, foldable
- Handle shaft: Silver-coloured hex
- Handle length: 85 mm
- Handle knob: T-shape, hard plastic
- Ambidextrous: Yes
Schematics
See the schematics below for all four S-H models. While the exploded views are original Daiwa drawings, the parts lists have been added separately. Some original part numbers may have been replaced with newer compatible part numbers.
Other original Emblems:
Other updated T-Emblems:
- Emblem S-T series
- Emblem X-T/PT series
- Emblem Z-T series
- Powercast S30T
- Powercast X30T