It was a post/counter-post discussion,sometime back....and it was a worthwhile point, because I recall the heavy hitters were well represented, but i think it was Tom who( in his diplomatic,velvet-handed way) firmly suggested to "Scrape instead of Sand" a blank so as to be minimaly intrusive to the graphite.Well, having sanded more blanks that I would like to recall (pre-internet mind you), I was milling around in the fishin room the other night, too lazy to start a massive overhaul but just enjoying the sanctuary when I started scraping a future project...........I 'm sure it was a Zen moment.....To me anyway, the other members of the household thought I was just trying to ruin a good Seinfeld re-run for them....and I was asked to stop. It sounded like an Amtrak derailment on a ten minute loop, but.....It worked....Simple stupid.... it worked.

Well, tonight the other members all left to get a Seinfeld autograph or see a movie or something....and I stripped and scraped four rods, and wrote down appointments for the rest......These blanks have been with me through the years like good huntin dogs.They've seen the glory and the gore...and I don't give em up easily.

Thanks to the moderator and all the other "Memsahibs" who chime in with such invaluable resource.....

BSL

I have refinished MANY blanks in my time - I have sanded and scraped both!! It depends on finish and if you are going to refinish the blank.

Sanding doesnt always get to the "bottom" whereas scraping will - but beware a wrong angle and you will lift the material and put a splinter in the blank or worst case remove part of it!! Been there!

Your points are well taken - I left Seinfeld and moved back to Cheers!! George has got old with his ways for now - will go back later! I like Sam Malone - besides I used to go to the real Cheers when I was stationed in Boston in the 70's.

Cheers Mate

I would never sand a graphite rod to easy to cut the grahite fibers. I would thoughtly scuff the rod with a schotch Brite scuff pad (gray in (color).
Bob

Thanks for the reply Ron, I did lift some material, but it was very slight and under the proposed reel seat so I don't think I did any harm.Some of these blanks started their lives as "off the shelf, All stars" and some are old fenwick HMG series.A few are on their third refinish and all have been sanded by me at least once...I've never had one fail.....My point and elation was with the control of scraping and the "Why did'nt I try this before" revelation. Now, to varnish or not to varnish...Hmmm got any thoughts on this? I like a bare graphite finish with nice plain wraps and just enough flexcoat...because I figure I'll be the one strippin it all off again years from now. I would rather not varnish a rod unless it has some redeeming benefit..again your thoughts would be appreciated.


You're right about Sam, Sam rules

Thanks