I believe I found some one that can shed some light to the mystery that had been troubling me. In most Japanese rod, the
US$150.00 always have the material content at 67% carbon, 33% glass. But the $700.00 and up always claim to be 98%
carbon 2% glass. On the extremely expensive one. The one over US$1000.00 way up to $3000.00 are 99.9% carbon
0.1% glass. Is it possible to make that kind of percentage in real world. Or it is just a matter of cost? Can we in America
make things like that or there is just no market for that kind of stuff. Not to mention I get really confused on
manufacturing term like micro weave, bi- and uni direction carbon roll. e.g. gamakatsu make a rod with tip at 0.8mm and
butt at 24.4mm length 5.3 meter and only weight 180g with guide and handle, but cost $980.00, material 99.9% carbon,
0.1% glass. While nearly all there European (American) style rod are at 87 to 93% carbon... not to mention they cost just
under US$400.00

Thank you in advance for your insight and help.

Good fishing (catching) <*)))))))><{

I think all those numbers are confusing because they don't represent the same thing. You've got to have some resin in there somewhere so I wonder what the numbers represent. The percentage of each material of the total material amount? The percentage of the total make up? The percentage of total weight?

Those are my thoughts as well Pete. Those numbers illustrate that there is virtually no resin in the blank, which is impossible. They must be only comparing the glass to carbon proportions. If thats the case, it is possible to make a blank that is 100% carbon. Our Legend Elite series would be considered 100% carbon, because it uses carbon for both the scrim and the main fiber. However, a large percentage of it is also resin, so the whole structure is far from 100% carbon. Those numbers you posted above Dorge, just don't make sense. I think they are abusing those proportions much like some manufacturers abuse the term modulus. Reading those claims above, shows me that they themselves don't even know what they are claiming. To end my point, yes we in America can make such things, and can do it better. The difference is that we don't need to make such claims to sell our products. The products sell themselves with quality and good customer service. It's good that we quiz situations like this to educate the consumers. Take care.

Jason
St. Croix

Jason, Pete, that's my thought also. But the entire Japanese domestic industry was using this kind of number in EVERY
single rod they built. I mean Daiwa, Shimano, Nissin, Gamakatsu, NFT, etc. The problem is that I am not be able to
locate where and how those number is based on. I am able to find out that all standard of specification was governed by
the "Japan Fishing Rod Standard Trusted Council" a direct translation I make from some chinese words. It would really
be interesting in knowing what the standards are. With what limited I am able to find out; all rod must pass this council
before they can be on the market!! I also understand that nearly ALL rod manufacturer in Japan, need to be a member of
this council or member retailer will not carry their rods...

That's said, only if I or someone can find out what those standard means, my confusion will be cleared. Any one from
Japan that can help? I only got one year of Japanese way back when I was a freshman in college (16 yr. ago), so DO
NOT point me to a japanese web site, please.

Last, Jason, I do not think they are abusing the system, just that I have no idea what the system, (standard, qualification,
measurement) is!! It is also interesting that all their high end rod are so outrageously expensive, are they using something
we do not understand, or the Japanese are that gullible.... ???

Good fishing (catching) <*)))))))><{

At $1000.oo-$3000.00 for a rod or a blank the resin/matrix must be gold,titanium,platinum,or some such thing. For A fishing rod? To go fishing with? That's like spending $1million for a golf club membership! Which I understand they do over there as well. Guess golf and fishing AIN'T for your every day kinda person. warren

Dorge,

I'd have thought you're familiar with the materialistic Japanese society by now?

The expensive fishing gear is cream of the crop, top class and all that, and Japanese labour production is very high, especially for quality craftman ship that is low in volume, hence the extremely high price.

If you've been to Japan, you'll see that fishing gear is not the only items that have such high price tags.

I've handled some of their top priced bass rods when bass fishing there, and honestly they don't seem better than the top of the line USA brands. Just more pricey. However they are very good.

As for the other pole rods, boat rods, etc, I can't make a comparison as they are one of a kind design for the Jap market, can't make a fair judgement.

I'm headed to Nagoya on Friday, I'll see if I can dig out this info you are so interested in.