Recently ordered a blank from a mfg that was selling closeout blanks for $36 bucks. Ordered the 10'6" 6wt that on the website says the butt diameter is .400" . The blank i received has a sticker on the blank saying it was the 7wt and it had a 6wt sticker over the top of the other blank. I measured the blank with a micrometer and it measures .434" . The blank cetainly feels like a 7 or even an 8wt blank. There is no way it is a 6 wt.

I think i may have gotten the ol' bait & switch with the balnk. I've spent plenty of money in the past on orders and have had only good things to say about them, but this is crazy. A friend recently has had the same issue with the same company.

To make sure, if you have any info on the correct place to measure the butt of the blank, please let me know before i contact the mfg. I measured it right at the very end of the butt and my micrometer is certified accuracy within .0005.


thanks in advance and i'll keep you posted on the outcome as i'm sure many of you have ordered these blanks.

Sean

You would measure it at the actual butt end. There will always be some variance in sizes against the catalog spec size - where the blank gets trimmed and the entire process involved in making it means that it's rare that any blank will perfectly match the target specs. .034" difference may not be out of line.

However, close-outs, blems, etc., all have to be viewed with at least some amount of leeway. There is usually a reason why they are close-outs, overstocks, blems, etc.

Also keep in mind that there is no such thing as a true 7 or 8 weight blank. There is no industry standard for what any of these blanks should adhere to. Any blank with a "6-weight" label is, in fact, a 6-weight blank. One could be soft as a noodle and one can be stiff as a pool cue and both can be "6-weight" blanks. Each company has a different definition of what constitutes a "6-weight" rod or blank.

If you still feel you got hoodwinked, I'd call the seller and ask him about the problem directly. If the company is reputable they'll work with you in getting things settled to your satisfaction.


............

That is one of the problems with blemished blanks and closeouts, we never know exactly what line the rod is best for.

Come to think of it, we also have the same problem with full priced firsts, in that what the manf says is his estimate, rather than a defined measurment.

I would send the blank back if I were you. Does not make sense to build on something that you know you are not going to like. I built a nice rod from a closeout blank that was a 7 wt. It cast pretty bad. I CC it. It came out to about 5.5. All those nice ferrule wraps with the alignment dots sorta wasted after I cut the guides of to go on a blank that really was about 7 wt. Plus $25 or so of cork and a beautiful redwood burl seat because it was gonna be mine and I used the good stuff.

Before I sent it back, I would setup and do a CC rating on it. That won't help at all with any argument about the blank, but it will give you a better feel for what you actually have got and a basis to work from for the future.

Sean

I'd like to give you an atta boy for not mentioning the name of the supplier you bought this from. That's a nice habit we'd all like to see done by everyone here.

Good to say about them, mention them.

Mistake made, no reason cutting them down by mentioning their name-everyone's human and makes mistakes; I know I've sure as heck made my share of them!!!

Putter

Call that retailer immediately. If you got a blank with a 6Wt sticker overtop of a 7Wt sticker...your instincts are correct. I cannot believe that you aren't reacting with more anger. Afterall, you and I spoke about this same occurence happening with me from this same retailer. We, of course, cannot blame this particular person because we have no proof that it was done by "them"....but he was more than understanding with me when presented with the facts. AND yes, there is a difference between the action of that rod and the 6WT when speaking of the same company, same line, same rod make, and same action, but different weight rating. I noticed it immediately when I compared it to the other 1066 that I had waiting in the wings.

Domenic Federico

Call me when you get a chance.