This question is unusual but it has a point.

I know that most blanks today are built to be suitably durable. However, in the search for high performance, some blanks are less durable than others. (i.e. Lightweight through high modulus & thin walls)

Hence the question:
1. Are there some blanks that are really pushing the durability/performance edge where the blank is less durable than most in the interest of higher performance? What are they? (i.e. Would GLX qualify?) I assume these may be some lighter powered blanks which also mean thinner walls.

2. How do you warranty rod built on these blanks knowing that you are going to get some customers that just won't be very careful? Or do you just avoid them?

I'm a nut about pushing the envelope and am wondering.....:) The primary enjoyment/drive of rodbuilding for me is to push the edge, hence my question.

Thanks,
Mo

My answer to #2 - imo, you shouldn't be building rods for people on blanks you are not familiar with. If you are uncertain about a blank, how can you recommend it to a customer?

The people I had that were coming back with broken rods a pushing for more performance, I taught them what I knew about it, than let them roll their own. They are doing things I never thought of and wouldn't do to one of my rods , but it's on their nickel now and they are having a ball doing it. They do catch a lot of fish.




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2007 10:45PM by Spencer Phipps.

Spencer, care to elaborate with specific examples? I'm quite curious as what they are doing.

Thanks,
Mo

Here they are using custom GLX 844s and MH SCV for fluke rods. They are breaking them ALOT they dont seem to care this is what the pool winners are using so this is what everyone wants.

You break it I will redo it once for a small fee so as long as it does not come back looking like it got ran over by a truck.

I also explain to them before hand how delicate a GLX is and expect it to break if you dont take really really good care of it, so they dont come back claiming it was a bum blank. They know well before hand the facts about a high end blanks. I also try to talk them into a rainshadow blank alot of times or an IMX blank which in my opinion are alot more durable than a GLX or SCV.

Henry, silly to have such a high end rod for a fish which hardly has a subtle bite. You could use GL2 or SC2 and have all teh sensitivety you need, the same weight range capability, and it MIGHT only weight 1/2oz more when completely finished. People are sheep.

I bet they blow them up either swinging fish, or smacking the guy next to them with their rod or vice versa.

Or 5/8 oz if it is raining and the blank is wet!!! Maybe for winter flounder they have an advantage but for fluke with at the min. 2 oz of weight its a waist of a good blank.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

My warranty is the best one on the market! I give a 60/60. Sixty seconds or 60 feet which ever comes first :)). I use the manufactures warranty. If it was the customers fault. I rebuild at a small cost. If it was my fault or blank manufacturers. I do it for free.
Good Wraps Bob

I like Billy's approach, but to compete we offer a Lifetime warranty if the customer registers the rod (we have a registration card on the rods). That's against breakage, not wear-and-tear. W ebuild the replacement cost into the price.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

Bob, what's 'rebuild at a small cost'. $50? $100?

Russ, what's the typical cost of your rod with replacement into the price?

Thanks,
Mo

I build in a hidden 10% rebuild cost to the total cost of the new rod. So if I have to rebuild 2 or 3 rods a year my butt is covered. When I was in business I was building 5 or more custom rods a month. I was in business for over 20 years. I used the best materials available. My rods were not factory copy cats. They had custom grips and reelseats. Thread art was just the icing. Remember this also, I was buying at whole sale and any time I could find a good sale price I bought it. I also bought more than just one item at a time so I always had stock on hand. I used the same approach that Russ uses. I retired 7 years ago and I am still buiding rods from my shop stock. I specialized in Steelhead, Salmon and Sturgeon rods. Mo where are you located?
Good Wraps Bob

Bob,

I'm in So. California.

Thanks,
Mo

Mo what type of rods do you design? You may want to contack Docski. He is in S. CA. along with Mark Griffen from @#$%&.com They maybe able to figure out a warrenty program for ypur area. What type of rods do you specialize in an what blanks do you use?
Good Wraps Bob

Thanks Bob. I'm going after UL rods. At this point, in the 'theoretical' stage concerning my question. Will contact them when needed.

Thanks,
Mo