HAGANE is a Shimano reel design concept created to withstand continual use and extreme abuse. HAGANE is an innovation with built-in toughness and durability that works alongside Shimano's precision engineering. HAGANE is for all anglers.

With amazing strength and durability, the HAGANE Gear is at the very heart of most Shimano reels. Shimano, through the application of state-of-the-art technologies, gives anglers the long-lasting smoothness and pleasure that is felt when anglers first use a reel, over and over again. No cutting work is applied to the teeth of the drive gear during fabrication, instead the entire surface is calculated in minute detail by special 3D-design and then formed by Shimano's cold-forging technology. The result is assured resilience. HAGANE Gear is the fruit of Shimano's inexhaustible pursuit for durability — the strength and power of forged metal continues to represent the fundamental concept of Shimano reels.

X-Ship provides improved gear durability. By supporting the pinion gear on both ends with bearings, the pinion gear maintains precise alignment with the drive gear. This allows the gears to stay in the same position under the heaviest loads. The added benefit of X-Ship technology is that friction between the spool shaft and gear are eliminated. This further benefits anglers with enhanced casting performance and casting distance of lighter lures.

The HAGANE Body is a metal reel body with high rigidity. The body rigidity and impact resistance virtually eliminates body flexing on the reel while fighting fish. The result transforms the angler's actions directly into cranking power, increasing efficiency through strength.

The Infinity Drive structure is an advanced structure that creates exceptionally light winding. The main shaft, which had previously been supported by the pinion gear, is now supported by a new and unique low-friction bushing that significantly decreases frictional resistance. In addition, the main shaft has undergone a proprietary surface treatment and special processing to drastically reduce rotational torque, constructing a reel that can actively wind even under heavy loads.

The Heatsink Drag is a revolutionary structure located at the bottom of the spool that helps achieve overwhelming drag performance and improved durability. The Heatsink Drag dissipates heat outside of the spool by about 50% to reduce the drag-force drop that is caused by friction and heat. To further improve performance, the Heat Insulation Sheet dampens the heat flowing to the line on the spool and reduces line temperature by 30% for increased dependability during long fights.

SilentDrive technology benefits from a total redesign of all functional parts focused on the drive gear, worm shaft and other parts. The goal: remove unnecessary noise and vibration. In doing so, the overall tolerances are improved to a micron level, ultimately creating an overall quieter and smoother reel operation.

By providing dependable sealing structures and gaskets at 12 critical locations throughout the reel body, Shimano is able to create a water-resistant structure that is highly reliable and durable while ensuring that it can hold up when used in extreme saltwater conditions.

Large reels for saltwater, a contact-type water-resistant structure is used for large spinning reels that require higher water-resistant performance. By physically cutting off the entry path of seawater with a low-sliding seal member, high water-resistant performance is achieved while suppressing rotational resistance. The stopper bearing and line roller parts are adopted, and the stopper bearing part in particular achieves a water-resistant rating equivalent to IPX8.

X-Tough Drag features dramatically enhanced smoothness, control and toughness to anticipate the vigorous speed of bluefin tuna and giant trevally. X-Tough Drag further improves heat resistance and durability with construction that incorporates metal-only drag washers and abrasion-resistant carbon washers as well increased stability by supporting the spool from both the top and bottom.

The spool has a special spool ring shape. This creates a rectifying effect on the line and realizes both suppression of line trouble and long casting performance.

By strengthening the spool support of the main shaft, the play and fluctuation of the spool during drag operation are suppressed. The Rigid Support Drag allows smooth and consistent drag delivery, even under high load.

The Cross Carbon Drag material provides a wider range of drag settings compared to traditional drag materials. The Cross Carbon Drag provides the smoothest Shimano drag performance ever while providing anglers with increased durability.

S A-RB bearings are put through the same process as Shimano’s A-RB bearings but feature shields on both sides of the bearings. These shields reduce the possibility of salt or sand inhibiting rotation of the bearing.

One-Piece Bail allows the line to travel unimpeded to the line roller. The seamless design reduces friction and decreases the chance of tangles or the line catching on the bail arm.