Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement Spinning Using a special cold forged aluminum drive gear and a hardened brass pinion gear (Stainless Steel pinion gear on Stella SW), reels equipped with the Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement will retain their out-of-the-box smoothness much longer than before. In fact, testing has shown that this combination of metals is more durable than an all-stainless steel drivetrain while maintaining the smoothness that Shimano is famous for.