I'm new at rod building and there are a lot of different blanks out there that I've never heard of before. How does a person find out about their ratings, which are good, which aren't and so on ?

There really is no easy answer for this question. Plenty of great blanks out and around these days, and at all price points. Generally, the more expensive blanks are lighter per the same weight and offer a bit better response and sensitivity. But, there are plenty of really nice blanks in the under $50 category these days as well. Good quality can be found at all price points.

I'd start you off by just telling you to read the various posts on this board concerning different blank brands and types. If you have a question about a brand or model, just ask. Somebody will likely have used it and can fill you in on what to expect. An awful lot of this is just going to come down to experience which you'll gain each time you build another rod on another brand of blank.

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There aren't any bad blanks that I know of sold on the sponsor sites. On this rodbuilding forum a poor product wouldn't last very long. Ask about the products, give us some specifics to work with, and we'll be glad to pass an opinion along.

Ditto to the above...

What are you fishing for? Type of fishing, fly, spin, bait casting? Salt water, fresh water?

There is a wealth of information here and everyone is willing to share it !!!!!!!!!!

That's what makes this board stand out from other..

Tight lines to all ~~

Q1: - "How does a person find out about their [rod blanks'] ratings, [specifications, etc]?"
ANS-1: - CATALOGS - Manufacturers Catalogs and Vendor-Dealers Catalogs. Mfgrs Catalogs have all the brand-specific information, and the Vendors Catalogs allow you to compare across brands, and make price-based choices. These Catalogs are an INDISPENSABLE resource for rod blank and component selection, IMO. No website is as fast to consult as a good stack of Catalogs. Get to know yours well.

Noting and understanding the rod blank's specifications is central to the whole selection process, since it is usually not feasible to handle the rod blank prior to purchase. Calibrating your senses from your own arsenal of rods, or at a local tackle vendor, really helps. Remember that one brand may rate slightly differently than another, so that just adds to the mix of considerations.

Q2: - "Which [rod blanks] are good? Which aren't, and so on?"
That really all depends on:
** What you are looking for in a rod blank; and
** How you intend to fish it; and
** How you want to build it.; and ETC.
This is HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE, and very personalized. Word of Mouth; Testimonials, Anecdotal Comments; Advertising; Personal Experience and well-calculated TRIAL & ERROR.

The same reason someone prefers a given selection for a Rod Blank may be the very reason you would rather avoid it. Keep your own priorities straight, and understand the priorities of your referring agents. Their priorities may differ from yours.

Good Luck, -Cliff Hall+++, Gainesville, FL-USA*****