What is the advantage of SC5 blanks with the NSi technology versus the SC5 blanks without? Some of the standard blanks are available at deep discounts would you buy one or build with the NSi resins?

Tim

The NSi blanks have tested to an average of 30% stronger. There is NOTHING wrong with the SC5 blanks without NSi, they have ART and IPC as well as a tremendous weight-to-strength ratio.

This doesn't mean they are 30% more durable, however. The same rough handling that will break an SC5 will break the NSi blanks.

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Jim,
I have built many of the former SC5 blanks as well as a few of the new NSi blanks. Take your choice. Both styles are great blanks.
From a weight standpoint - both blanks are very similar. The actions are similar, so it is really up to the builder to build on the blank that they prefer.

Roger

Tom Kirkman Wrote:
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> This doesn't mean they are 30% more durable,
> however. The same rough handling that will break
> an SC5 will break the NSi blanks.
>
> .................

Absolutely. There IS a difference between "stronger" and "more durable" ... two totally opposite concepts. Strength relative to load is the difference with the NSi designs. The impact resistance has NOT been increased, at least not measurably so. ALL high modulus, thin walled blanks are subject to the ill effects of a crack, smack or scratch.

I've measured up a few of the new NSI blanks and I really haven't gotten any different numbers with the new 2011 models than I did with the 2010 models. The numbers all fall within what standard deviation would be for any model of blank. But with the goal being the strength, I didn't really expect the numbers to be different.

Obvioiusly, they're a bit too new to have long term on the water feedback.


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Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

There are a few new 2011 NSI blanks that weren't in the SCV lineup before. The tips seem especially thin, Does anyone know if these new blanks have altered designs to reflect the incorporation of NSI epoxy?

Thanks,
Rick

There are a few new 2011 NSI blanks that weren't in the SCV lineup before. The tips seem especially thin, Does anyone know if these new blanks have altered designs to reflect the incorporation of NSI epoxy?

PS - can you help me understand what a 30% increase in strength means to the end user, given the same underlying blank design. My confusion stems from the Glossary definition of strength:

Strength
Most often used to describe the durability of a rod or blank. The ability to withstand impact or stress.

Are we speaking of the ability to handle strain tied to distortion of the blank's tubular shape? If so, does that mean the rod can be "distorted" more than withour NSI, all else being equal?

Thanks,
Rick



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/2011 10:16AM by Richard Glabach.

Yes. The new blanks can withstand more load before reaching failure.

The deadlift capability of a blank is related to several things, including diameter, particularly wall thickness (on the axis of deadlift) and the resin used to hold the fibers in place. When a blank reaches its deadlift capacity, the fibers on the compression side blow out, and then break. Any resin system that can keep the fibers bound together in the structure under a greater load will therefore increase the blank's ability to handle a greater load. This is what St. Croix is talking about when they say these blanks are stronger.

The term "strength" is a bit subjective and you have to ferret out what the user actually means when using that term. Most fishermen hear the term "stronger" and assume it means the blank is tougher.

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Aprreciate the clarification, Tom

Rick