Emblem X5000T Black

The Emblem X5000T Black marked the return of a cult classic, reintroduced nearly 20 years after the debut of the Emblem X-T series. As matt black setups grew in popularity throughout the 2010s, Daiwa responded by releasing black editions of several iconic reels. Like the Tournament TS5000BE, the Emblem X5000T Black was introduced in 2015. Released only in the most popular 5000 size, the X5000T Black was an instant hit among carp anglers. Even today, it remains one of the most sought-after models in the Emblem range.

History

In 1996, Daiwa released the Emblem X-T series in several European countries, available in the sizes X4500T, X5000T, X5500T and X6000T. The series was probably discontinued after 1999 in Europe.

In the 2010s, a growing trend emerged towards minimalist bankside setups, with everything finished in matt black, from rods and reels to banksticks. Daiwa responded by reintroducing several cult classics in a black edition, with the Emblem X5000T being one of them. In 2015, roughly twenty years after the original release, it returned as the Emblem X5000T BLK. Only the most popular 5000 size was reissued. It was an export model released exclusively in Europe, where Emblem reels had remained highly popular among carp anglers.

Essentially, it was the same reel but in a different colour. Compared with the original X5000T, the most notable difference apart from the black finish was that production had moved from Japan to Thailand. Despite this, build quality remained unchanged from the original X-T series. The reel proved highly successful. Much of its appeal came from its looks, although anglers also knew they were getting a proven, reliable reel for relatively little money. It features three ball bearings (including one in the line roller) and a soft-touch handle knob.

The Emblem X5000T Black was probably discontinued around 2021.

Releases

The Emblem X5000T Black was released as a single-model release. It was an export model released exclusively in Europe, where Emblem reels had remained highly popular among carp anglers. The reel was sold in many countries from 2015 onwards, although the year of introduction appears to differ between countries. In the UK, it was introduced in 2015. In France (and Spain), it was listed as ‘new’ in the 2019 catalogue, suggesting that the X5000T Black was not introduced in those countries until that year. The catalogue information is somewhat unclear, as the reel is surprisingly absent from many catalogues, including the 2015 and 2016 UK Daiwa catalogues. It was also sold in Germany and the Netherlands, among other countries. The reel came in a standard grey Daiwa box and was supplied with a spool reducer and a synthetic fabric bag.

Model comparison

Compared with other Emblems, the X5000T Black stands out visually thanks to its understated matt black finish. The bail kicker is black, while even the drag knob, handle and rear covers are completely black. The side cover also carries no model name. Like the X-H and X-T series, the handle features a soft-touch handle knob, although on the X5000T Black the entire handle is black and carries no decals.

Technically, the X5000T Black sits in the upper-middle range of the Emblem series. It is technically identical to the original X5000T, with three ball bearings positioned on the pinion gear, drive gear and line roller. Its high-speed gear ratio is the same as that of all high-speed 5000 models. The polished metal spool lip helps to reduce friction and line wear.

Collectability

The X5000T Black is a sought-after model. Its understated looks have made it popular ever since its release, and many are still in circulation thanks to their relatively young age. They are therefore still regularly offered on the second-hand market. Despite this, the X5000T Black remains relatively high-priced within the Emblem range due to its continued popularity, with prices comparable to those of the S-H and Z-T models.

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.