How many blank manufacturing plants exist? I am thinking it can not be more than a handful, in comparison to all the different brand name rods on the market.

I'm probably way off on this but in the US I think you have these,

Sage
Loomis
St. Croix
Calstar
Lamiglas
Talon
T&T
Winston
Orvis
All Star
GUSA
Seeker

Probably others that I've never even heard about but these are the ones I'm pretty sure exist. I think there are probably even fewer in the orient but they probably make a ton of blanks for a large number of different companies that end up selling finished rods over here and elsewhere.

Don't forget about Batson!

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

Also C F Burkheimer, Rogue, Steffen Bros., Gatti, CTS and Harrison.

Gator Glass and hopefully Harrington again

and Sevier
Dan Craft??

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/2007 10:39AM by Raymond_Adams.

Actually Batson ,American Tackle ,Seiver are importers so best to say quite a few plants in the Orient

Dan Craft also doesn't make his own.

I always thought that Gatti blanks were made in Italy.

cts is in new zealand if i remember right

Based on the photos on Steffen Bros. website, I'd say his "US blank manufacturing plant" is the garage or basement of Mark's house. And I don't mean that in any way as derrogatory. To the contrary, the guy makes a small number of models and total blanks of extremely high quality. He brings the same passion and careful craftsmanship to the fiberglass and graphite world as the many talented and dedicated craftsmen of the bamboo world. Hats off to Mark and his "manufacturing plant".

We are fortunate to have so many great choices of blank makers to choose from. I'll add that I've rarely had any problems with the blanks that are made in other countries either - I'd say no more problems than with the dometically-made blanks. Just about everything is good to excellent in quality. I guess that's the result of healthy competition.

Don't see a restriction in the location of blank manufacturers in the first post.

shawn storey Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> cts is in new zealand if i remember right


Kilwell, CTS and CD Systems (and one other) are from New Zealand.

Don


Don Becker

An even smaller number of providers of fiber and bonding matrix can probably be identified.

I see a lot of names there. Do all those listed have there own setups to make all their blanks? What I would like to know (and some companies don't want you to know) how many actually exclusively manufacture their own blanks? I am thinking that a lot of blanks are made to exacting standards to individual companies, but made buy the same parent company? Not trying to stir a pot.. Just curious to know.,, I would like to compare some that are made in the same plant under different names and see how the different "Name brands" from the same plant stack up against each other.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/2007 05:57PM by Bill Holsonback.

From Ken Finch's list I see All Star listed...I was under the impression they were no longer in business....they had a fantastic line of blanks
and terrific service....if they are still around please let me know. [Their Indian Logo was out of sight!!!]

Tight Lines
Tight Wraps
Fishin'Stix by Fred

All Star just sells rods. They built some blanks for Pac Bay and Batson at one time besides their own line. G Loomis and Lamiglas has built blanks and rods for other companies from time to time.

You forgot ATC Advanced Tubular Composites (Gary Loomis) who are the old Shikari

Off the St. Coix website...

"Over the years, there were a variety of goods manufactured that were essential to the development and success of the company. Solid and tubular rod blanks were sold to other companies such as Zebco and Waterking. Private brand rods were created for Orvis, L.L. Bean, Cabela's, South Bend, Cortland and many others. Sundry items such as Department of Natural Resources shocking rods and landing nets, pool cues and marine antennas all contributed to the company's longevity."

Think about dog food. How many companies had to recall their dog food a while back? Seems it was all made by the same company for each different label. I would put money on the fact there are a few blank manufacturers but many more blank brands.