Taken tuning parts from Korea

Form follows function – the brand philosophy

Taken is a Korean custom parts brand from Seongnam in Gyeonggi-do, founded in 2017. While most of the tuning market focuses on Japan and BFS, Taken has taken its own path: a wide range of handmade knobs, baitcaster handles, and spinning handles made from duralumin, designed according to the classic "form follows function" principle.

The brand itself states its mission as: "Taken doesn’t stop at simple custom parts. We help anglers push their limits." Tagline: FISH N JOY. That’s marketing speak, but it hits the brand’s core: Taken products are not for display but for intense use on the water, focusing on lightweight and ergonomic design.

The material: duralumin

The entire range is based on duralumin, an aluminum alloy with copper, magnesium, and manganese. Compared to standard aluminum, duralumin has:

• Higher strength and stiffness, which makes a crucial difference for delicate components like knobs and cranks
• Lighter weight than steel with comparable load capacity
• Good machinability for CNC manufacturing, resulting in very precise tolerances
• Anodizable surface for the characteristically colored Taken components

All parts are CNC machined in Korea, not cast or stamped. This makes production more complex but guarantees the dimensional accuracy critical for reel components.

The Knob Family

Knobs are the core of the Taken range. The brand offers several knob lines in parallel, each optimized for different applications. The names are systematically structured:

A1 Knob: The compact knob for light game applications, small spinning reels, UL setups. Fits on the handles of the Area and Pico series.

A2 Knob: The middle-ground knob for standard spinning setups where a bit more material in the hand is desired. Found on the Gull handles in the A2 version.

A7 Knob: The all-round knob made of duralumin, 50mm long. The most used knob in the Taken range, both on baitcaster handles (GT Series) and on the larger spinning handles. If you’re looking for a knob for most applications, start here.

H7 Knob: Special variant mounted on the AZ handles.

X3 Power Knob: The power knob for big bait applications. 50mm duralumin, bulkier than the A7, gives more material in the hand. Standard on the GT65 X3 handle, also available individually as a replacement knob for heavier applications.

SS Color Knob: Stainless steel knob in various colors, the affordable entry into the Taken universe.

The baitcaster handles: GT Series and AZ Series

In the baitcaster sector, Taken has established the GT Series as the main line. The concept: same design, different lengths, each equipped with A7 knobs.

Available lengths:

• GT65 X3 (65mm) – with power-balance design and X3 power knobs, for saltwater and big game use
• GT86 A2 (86mm) – compact bass casting length
• GT96 A7 (96mm) – standard all-round length
• GT101 A7 (101mm) – slightly longer for more leverage
• GT106 A7 (106mm) – medium length for medium-heavy applications
• GT111 A7 (111mm) – suitable for big bait
• GT121 A7 (121mm) – for heavy lures and pike fishing
• GT131 A7 (131mm) – the longest standard version, for maximum leverage

Additionally, there is the AZ Series: the AZ120 handle at 120mm with H7 power knobs, a somewhat more robust design for big bait. Plus the Revolver7 Handle, a special handle with its own design.

The spinning handles: Gull, Pico, and Area

In the spinning sector, Taken offers three handle lines in parallel.

Gull Series – Double Handles for Standard and Bass Spinning Setups:

• Gull92 A7 (92mm)
• Gull101 A2 (101mm)
• Gull101 A7 (101mm)

Pico series – the light-game line with A1 knobs for UL setups and finest spinning applications:

• Pico65 A1 (65mm) – double handle for light spinning

Area series – single handles for trout fishing, area game, and very light spinning applications. The single-handle construction further reduces weight and gives the Reel a particularly smooth running feel:

• Area38 A1 (38mm) – the shortest single-handle
• Area41 A1 (41mm)
• Area43 A1 (43mm)
• Area46 A1 (46mm) – the longest single-handle variant

Reel Stands and accessories

In addition to the handle and knob lines, Taken also offers Reel Stands. The Gen2 Reel Stand with Hook Keeper is the current main variant: an aluminum stand base for spinning Reels with an integrated hook keeper that also serves as a bait or lure holder when the rod is set down temporarily.

Also in the range: star drags for baitcasters, rod stands, and various other accessory components.

Design philosophy and positioning

Taken has developed into one of the most important brands within the Korean bass and spinning scene. Unlike many Japanese premium brands that work with high-tech materials and limited editions, Taken focuses on clean lines, thoughtful length gradations, and honest craftsmanship quality. This suits anglers who want to assemble a tuning setup without having to work through dozens of special editions.

The knob lines (A1, A2, A7, X3, H7) are designed so that you can maintain a consistent setup across multiple Reels. An A7 knob on your pike combo matches an A7 on the zander combo, an A1 on the trout Reel stays true to itself. This system is one of the reasons why Taken is especially popular among anglers who run multiple setups in parallel.

Consultation

Which Taken handle fits your Reel or which knob is ergonomically right: If you have questions, use the Reel Finder or write to us briefly via the Contact page.