A quick question,has anyone had an issue with a Raishadow blank(spin or cast) not being straight? a little bend would be OK,but how much out-of-whack would a blank have to be before you would send it back?.....Thanks,Alan.....oh by the way I'm new at this so any info would be great.

Alan,
As you probably know there will be a slight bend to almost all blanks. I would say that up to even 1/4" is acceptable for blanks that are 8' or 9' long as long as the bend is a gradual one and the bend is only in one direction. For a shorter blank it should naturally be proportionally less. A bend of this amount will not be noticeable if you put the guides on top of the bend, the belly in the bend down, and it will not have enough effect on performance that it will be detectable or measurable. I do not think that a double bend or a quick bend is acceptable and will be noticeable in the finished rod.
Having said that it has been my experience that the Rainshadow blanks are some of the straightest blanks available. In fact, the folks at Batson Enterprises take pride in the straightness of their blanks so if you have a blank that has a bend that is not acceptable to you I would contact them and ask them about it. If the bend is excessive and somehow got through their QC I am confident that they will want to replace it.

I have had no issues with the blanks that I have gotten from them. I am excited to see the new RX8's they are making!!!!! I have found most of their blanks to be straighter than many of the "high dollar big names!!"

If you think that it is too much send it back.

Tom

Thanks for the quick response Emory,I feel like I must add that this was not ment to spread false info. about Rainshadow as I have a very nice 6wt fly rod that I love it lacks for nothing,this was a comment that a person made to me...so......Alan

Alan,

I have built several Rainshadows including one I just put in the photo area under the grips area, I have been very happy with EVERY Rainshadow I've built. None have been flawed.

DR

Alan,
If you liked the 6 wt. Rainshadow that you have you should look at the new RX8+ blanks if you like a fast action rod. I have recently received several of them and I am very impressed with them. They are a little expensive but maybe the highest performance blanks on the market, certainly the highest performance for the money.

iF YOU HAVE A 2003 BLANK YOU MAY HAVE A BIT OF A CORK SCREW AT THE TIP. the FACTORY WAS CHANGED AFTER THAT YEAR AND ALL I HAVE GOTTEN AFTER THAT WERE EXCELLENT BLANKS.

I want to thank you all for answering my question.....nothing like getting an answer from the brain trust here......Alan