The new Orvis CFO is in every way the equal of the reels that were manufactured by Hardy throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Her check system is identical to that of her forebears as is the porting across the frame and spool. The spindle cap matches that on the second generation of CFOs, and the rivets protruding through the frame are almost certainly a nod to those of us who recognize those rivets as the hallmark of a Hardy-made reel. The finish - unlike anything I've seen on any other reel - seems much more durable than that on the CFO's older counterparts. The color isn't quite the same as we've seen on previous reels - either Hardy or BFR; it is a deep grey with shades of blue and green that become more pronounced as the reel reflects light. She sparkles in a way that older CFOs do not. To my eye, this latest reel is one of the most attractive of the CFO's many variations.