I've noticed a number of posters voicing their dislike for palming rims on their reels, but have yet to see the reason why. Since one is not forced to palm a reel, how are they any problem?

Exactly as just described - the SS Martins seem to be almost singular about misalignment rubs.

Certainly not an axiom, and there are many number of click-pawl palming rim reels elevated to favorite from Young Pattern 2a (1925) to Marquis.



Even Martins

Sounds like durability is the only issue. As luck would have it, I just lent my Martin mg7-SS to friend who is just starting out fly fishing. I will caution him against dropping it!
Most of my palming reels are built like tanks, the new Medalist 1498RC, System 1 and 2s, Lamson LPs so I will probably escape having a bent spool. I do enjoy fighting fish by adding varying degrees of pressure throughout the fight. Glad to hear there is no huge down side to these reels.

EG, that is a beautiful reel, I’d love to find just one. The gold spool would look great on my Johnson Profile.

Interesting, I did not know that about the 1498RC. The one I obtained was in a lot of rods and reels and after fishing with it I was impressed. It has more drag range than the older model and a counter balance, and spins on retrieve with little friction. I've only damaged two reels in my life, one I ran over in a car (don't ask!), the other dropped in my kitchen, breaking a die cast foot. I will be careful not to drop this, but if I do I see they go for around $25 on auction. Not a bad risk/reward ratio.