I have a number of sanded graphite popping rod blanks in my shop that came from more than one manufacturer, i.e., three that I know of. One of the leading manufacturing technical people told me in Charlotte that there was a lot of time spent getting their blanks in that condition and implied to me they were top quality blanks. I bought a number of "No Finish Applied" blanks from Andy Dear that I really like to work with. I am almost certain that these blanks came from the Allstar Plant. To my eye they have no flaws and would be of blank quality. When I finish a rod I am applying a wipe down with the Formica Counter Top Magic and they really look striking. One of the things that I really like is they do not scratch. All of these blanks have a dark grey matte color which I assume to be the color of the cloth and resin.

I just read a post by Neal on his "monthly specials" and I may be reading between the lines but I get the impression that "unfinished blanks" are equated to blems or seconds. I would like to know the real story on unfinished blanks, if anyone knows, so that I do not missrepresent the blanks that I am using to my customers. I plan on continuing to use these blanks, if available, but do not want to tell my customers that they are top quality blanks if that is not the case. If you have a sourse for unfinished quality blanks from someone please let me know.

I tried to make one of the current model Rainshadow Rx7 look like I wanted, by sanding, but did not get too far before I ruined the thing by going too far in finish removal. Is there a way I can get the finish completely off of a new finished blank easily? Maybe Jesse is right after all - I guess I need an attic full of graphite ugly sticks!

Gon Fishn



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2005 09:13AM by Bill Stevens.

If a blank does not come with identifying nomenclature, such as a bag with header card, decal or label, then it was not offered for sale as a first quality product. Whether or not it is unsanded, unfinished, etc., doesn't really have anything to do with it. Some first quality blanks are unsanded and/or unfinished. (The original Loomis IMX blanks were sanded but unfinished and just buffed.) But they came with identifying nomeclature when sold.

There are some cases, however, where first quality blanks might not have ever reached the normal sales avenue and ended up in somebody's overstock, prototype, clearance, etc., bin. In such case, the product may be perfectly fine and of first quality. But you aren't likely to know if that is the case.

In these cases you simply have to do your best to find out the full story on where the blanks came from and why they were sold in the manner that they were. Andy can tell you exactly where those blanks came from and why they were sold and how he came up with them.

In such cases where you can't track the sale back to the manufacturer and thus get the full story on what you have, then I'd be careful of what you tell the customers. Anytime you buy a blank that does not come with identifying nomenclature, you're left with the information provided by the seller. Somebody like Andy I would trust. Somebody on @#$%&, well.....


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