Greetings to you pros again,

A friend of mine just picked up a Kencor UL for something like $150 and the components on it looked like the basic aluminum oxide guides. I also see these periodically around the lakes here - usually in the hands of knowledgeable fishermen.

For rigs that need to be very tough such as on boat charters or heavy duty use such as large fish, I understand. But for UL, what's the rationale? And is Kencor's fiberglass unique for some reason compared to other quality fiberglass which are a lot cheaper?

Curious. Thanks.

Mo

Hype

I doubt it's hype, as they are not well known. Hype would be more along the lines of using a Loomis, just because everyone else says to use a Loomis.

Loomis spent many years leading the industry in materials and technology. Others have certainly caught up, but Loomis blanks were never about hype. Those of us who have been building rods for many years (couple of decades at least) know what advances Loomis brought to the custom rod building market in that time.

A person who likes Kencor rods on his charger boat might also decide they're going to suit them on lighter stuff as well. Brand loyalty is still popular with many consumers. Don't know that that's the reason, but it's one possibility.

You could just ask him why he bought the rod that he did.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/18/2005 10:12AM by Tom Kirkman.

Kenny Kawakami a much beloved figure in west coast fishing circles, uses a special "S" type fiberglass only manufactured in Japan. I forget the name he used for it. It maybe the Japanese version of "S" glass I'm not sure. One of his ads shows a guy lifting a tire up with a light spinning rod. The rod is almost bent in two. The glass if very expensive so he uses the basics in components to keep the price down. The rods are expensive but have a devoted following.

Warmest regards, Joe Meehan, American Tackle Co.

Interesting read on all your perspectives. My friend bought it because another friend recommended it. My friend is a neophyte to fishing.

Anyways, just curious if the Kencor fiberglass really is superior fiberglass not available elsewhere.

Mo

The UL are called "T" Magnaglass; he also has a new graphite blank called ZiBRA.. Rick's Tackle carries the blanks. Kenny Kawakami was the Daiwa rep but formed his own company to make Kencor reels and now makes custom rods.

Hi all,
First I am a fan of Kenny's so you can consider me bias if you would like.
Kenny has been in the business for at least 30 years now which says something for his products that many cannot.
If I am correct Seeker is an offshoot of Kenny's early days in the business which would also say something for the man.
Kenny is a great person to do business with and in my opinion a great blank/rod engineer as well.
I personally have put Kencor rod blanks through much more strain and stress then they have been rated for and they have come through in flying colors time and time again.
The new Zebra blanks are great, they are not the back breaking boat rod blanks like some of the other manufactures heavy weight blanks are at all.




Tight wraps and lines,
Wylie