Best tipups

I have a couple of the blue clam tipups,they are not smooth releasing line, have tried everything to Smooth out no luck  what recommendations for new tipups would you recommend and why?

beaver dam tip is the best on the market. Im 62y/o and been using the artic fisherman since 12y/o works in 30 below and still runs smooth, all parts are replaceable and I still us my original ones, great tip up to past on to your kids 

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that agrees there are other brands just as good and handy as Beaver Dams. That being said I have 4 of them and they work fine, Caught just as many Walleye and Norther on my Fraballs as my Beaver dams,  agree with some of the other post also its all depends on you budget comes down to personal preference and how you handle your equipment   

Beaver Dam...without a doubt...are the best!

“Best” is subjective. “Personal preference“ would be a better way to ask this.  

I guess I'll go against the grain here and say that I've used both and overall I like the round Frabill insulated tip-ups better. BD's work fine, but you need to bring hole covers then too.

You can fit 6 round ones in a bucket and you don't need to bring hole covers. 

Depending on what kind of fishing you are doing, it may not be a big deal, but if you run and gun, fish all night and take kids along like I do, I think the round, insulated ones are better.

Still have the same 3 beaver dams 30 yrs and alot of big fish later still work like new and they sure can take a beating. Plus there alot easier to get out when frozen in. But I built my own tip downs and use those more now than the beaver dams.

Beaver dams, doesn't matter what year, they all work exactly the same, only difference is how the spool is attached, or frabil classic hardwood tip ups, I own both, 20 years and hardly a problem.

Um old Beaver dams 

Windlass.  I’ve had three windlass and three beaver dams in(two guys of course) and  caught fish on the windlass, nothing on the bd’s.  You need to use hole covers, but the windlass out fish all others.

Beaverdams are the best tip ups out there. Even the new beaverdams are smother and will last longer than anything else on the market. Yes the older beaverdams are better, but if you can't find them go for a new one.

Find the older Beaver Dam tipups at garage sales, ebay, craigslist, ect and buy them.  Expect about 30-50 bucks a piece.  They'll last you the rest of your life!