Is there a dealer that sells Kistler blanks? Either I am missing finding them on the links and or Internet searches or there really isn't a source for the new models. Does anyone know if there will be any available at the Expo?

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." — [Ian Holm (Bilbo Baggins)]

You cannot buy kistler blanks they buy them from a company out of China and have their name put on them

There is no dealer, but Trey's father-in-law sells older models(last years LTA's mostly) on @#$%&. I have built a few and know some other guys that have built them. There is nothing wrong with the blanks I've built on, I'd be sure to ask if they are old productions or prototypes. I got to see a few of the prototype z-bone blanks and was not impressed, possibly due to it being a prototype, it had a ton of tip roll, like close to 4" when the blank was turned all the way around. The LTA blanks he has on there that I've seen have all been good. Had a friend of mine order a dozen of them and another order 7 of them, not a problem them at all.

On Kistlers forum some time back he stated that they sell their seconds and blems on the @#$%& sites.

It's all over the advertising that the ZBone is using blanks by NFC. So is that a problem with Kistler's line of blanks coming from NFC? On a $400 rod?

That's an interesting post Andrew.

-----------------
AD

These blanks that I saw were not the NFC blanks, they were one of the prototypes prior to their joint venture with NFC, at least that is my undertanding about them. My bud contacts Trey's father-in-law through his @#$%& store directly about any blanks that he gets from him. I remember him saying that they were a prototype and not the actual production rod, and not from NFC. I'm sure that may have been one of the reasons they went with NFC blanks instead of those prototypes. He returned those blanks, with the reasoning that if they weren't good enough for Kistler to use on a production, why would he want to use them......these tackle nut guys are crazy like that though, I can't believe how much they spend on gear.....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2010 02:32PM by Andrew Metzger.

Thanks everyone. So much for Kistler and with another premium vendor changing to not resell their blanks, the others have to be smilling.

Kistler has never made it a point to sell their blanks, it's just a deal that allows a few to trickle out, it is my understanding that NFC is making kistlers blanks now....I do not know if they are the same NFC blanks that they sell to customers or not......but you can get NFC blanks....

Seen a few for sale on @#$%& - buyer beware

I have bought two blanks from the @#$%& sites.
I emailed Trey about their rod socks and specifically mentioned that I was building on the LTA blanks.
He said I will love their actions and thanked me for the email.
It would seem like they are legit.

Hi guys, great board...

My 2 cents; I've also purchase about six of them LTAs and found them to be a little spongy and have too much flex for their line ratings. Compare to my shimano crucial (8-17) and cumara's(6-14lbs) with the same line ratings , the LTAs are not as crisp and have a lot less back bone; doesn't feel as solid as the shimanos.... I would trade them all back for some shimano blanks if I could. However, it's just my personal preference and favors the high modulus IM stuffs..

you probably got the medium ones, the medium heavy rods are nicer, IMO.

I talked with Trey Kistler and he told me that North Fork Composits is making there blanks and they will not have them for sale. However he said you could get a few on the @#$%& site and the are first runs just older modlec like th HC.
Paul

Paul@soonercustomrod.com

Well Trey and his spokesman should sit down and talk so they stop putting out conflicting info.
The comment below is copied from another forum, posted by Kistler’s spokesperson.

“We have an overseas OEM manufacturer for our basic lines and anglers also have the option of purchasing a custom made ZBone custom made in Texas with American made North Fork Blanks.”
Matt Massey
Kistler Rods Canada

All Kistler’s rods are being made overseas. With the exception on their custom made Zbone rods which are built on N. F. Blanks. A blank company that has just recently (in the last year), started selling their blanks. So I doubt any of the one’s being @#$%& off are American made or made by N. F. Don’t care what they say.

And if you want a North Fork Blank; Thy will be at the Rod Expo so you can look at them there.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/11/2010 10:46AM by Steve Gardner.

Steve, the z-bone prototypesI looked at were said to NOT be NFC blanks when they were purchased from the @#$%& site. I do believe that they were not american made like you state.

The blanks made on the @#$%& site are not made in the U.S.

Paul

Paul@soonercustomrod.com

Hey guys,

We make blanks for the Z-bone series. At this point, we do not make blanks for any series other than that one. As for buying blanks, the only places to buy blanks built by NFC are listed [www.northforkcomposites.com].

We are looking forward to seeing a number of you at the Expo.

Jon

Jon -

Is that both the ZBone blank lines? I think there is a ST and a LE or something last I saw on the pilot BYOR site.

I ask due to the significant price difference. One can come in about $250ish and one is going to be about $400.

-----------------
AD