I purchased a st. croix 3sw76mf. Starting approx. 12 inches from the tip I can see what looks like the material wrapping over itself. I may not have described what I am seeing so you guys can understand what I am seeing, so please ask questions. I am just starting this rod building thing so I don't know if this is normal. I have never noticed this on any store bought rods I've purchased.
thanks for your help.

Is the surface of the blank not smooth?

When blanks come out of the oven, the cellophane wrap is removed and will reveal spiral ridges left from the flowed resin. Years ago, many companies didn't even bother to sand it - the blanks were delivered and made into rods with the ridges intact. Most are now sanded smooth, although on slim, thin walled graphite blanks they go real easy and you might still see some slight ridges.

I would ask you this, however, are you sure you have a St. Croix blank? Did it come in packaging with the factory header card and decal?

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Tom's right, you may have gotten a forged blank. Read his article in the LIBRARY section inthe black area above.

Bill in WV

Tom,
I think you have described what I'm seeing. I believe the blank is genuine, I bought it at the convention in Feb. I watched the st. croix rep. pull it from his display to supply the retailer. Know that I understand the blank, would you use it to build on? Will this effect the blanks performance or is it strickly cosmetic? As I said earlier, I am just starting and this rod is for my personal use but I would be uncomfortable presenting this blank to a customer.
thanks again.

Okay, with that information it is certainly genuine.

What you're probably seeing is that area where they were careful not to sand very deeply for fear of getting into the outer layers of fiber. I assume it's on or near the tip area?

It will be fine for use. If for some reason you feel the cosmetics are terrible (something that is noticeable by anyone even at a few feet - a real sore thumb) you can return it. But I doubt it's that bad. Is it?

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Since it will not be a performance issue, I think I'll use it. The blemish is quite apparent. Relatively inexpensive lesson-I will do a more thorough inspection before future purchases.
Thank you guys very much for the help. I'm sure many more questions will follow.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2009 07:50PM by charles fasano.

hey, im new to this i have many rods the one thing that i allway notice after i get the rod is that they are all made in china, and yes some rods work realy well the performance is outstanding , but,i just i would love truly a american made fishing rod,so i said i wil just have to craft it my self..so now i am all over the net trying to get blank who can we trust please help..... thank you......