I was using this for area trout fishing. It's one of several tackle items I own, and I never placed it directly on the ground. I used a rod stand and took care of it after each fishing trip, occasionally performing self-maintenance. The customizations include adding bearings to the inside of the spool, the spool shaft, and the handle knob. In my subjective opinion, there is no grinding or scratching, and the reeling feels smooth and silky. Also, the handle cap and handle knob cap have been replaced with genuine Airity parts. They give it a much more luxurious feel, which is a nice touch. I've taken very good care of it since I bought it new, but I accidentally bumped it, causing a single scratch on the spool edge. I've used 0.2 PE and 0.3 ester lines, but there were no issues during use. There are also some scratches on the rear chrome-plated part. Please check the photos for these. Other than that, it's clean and in good condition, and I think it's in the category of a beautiful item. Instant purchase is available. Thank you.