Might anyone know of a source for blanks like this?

Rods made from these types/sizes of blanks are widely available in Australia / England / France / Germany / New Zealand / etc.

And these rods are being sold from under $50 to over $400.

So, these blanks are being made somewhere in a wide range of quality levels.

Shakespeare makes 6 piece travel spin rods from 7 feet to 9 feet in this weight range, and 7 piece travel fly rods up to 10WT as well (Expedition XT series).

Shimano makes the Exage BX STC spinning rods – 5 piece / 8/9/10 foot long / in 3/8 to 1-1/4 / 1/2 to 1-1/2 / 2 to 4 oz.. weight ranges.

CTS offers the Revo Salt and they say a 6 piece version would add about $75 to the normal cost (a 5 piece would be cheaper as it's much easier to design and make).

All American blank builders (except Talon, who still offer a 4pc 8.5 foot blank) have quit making even 3 piece 8 foot blanks IFAIK.

So; what are my options?

I could buy a Shakespeare Expedition XT or a Shimano Exage BX and then rebuild it with a New Concept guide layout and the Phillipson sliding reel seat handle that would allow me to throw (as opposed to cast) big flies to my toothy critters of choice: muskie and pike.

Or I could have CTS make me a 5 or 6 piece Revo Salt in any weight from 8 to 18 and from 8 feet to 9 feet long.

P.S. – I know St Croix still offers 3 piece 7-1/2 foot blanks, but these are both too short, and not compact enough for my liking.

Many fisherpeople outside America say that the performance of multi-piece blanks today often rivals that of even 1-piece blanks, so why do American rod builders seem to increasingly be offering more 7 to 8 foot 1-piece blanks, and dropping even 3 piece blanks?

Is it because fewer Americans portage canoes and kayaks around the BWCA than use boats in big reservoirs, rivers, or oceans?

You might want to look at MHX at Mud hole. I know they carry travel blanks. I was looking into that myself for my Puerto Rico trip for Tarpon.

Lone Wolf Rods
"Keep your powder dry and your lines wet"
God Bless

Easy - you said it - CTS.
I just ordered a customer a 5pc CTS Vaper-Trail Spinning blank. Why do you say it has to be a Revo?? They will do anything you wish - to a point.
Regards,
Herb

Distrib. CTS Fly Rod Blanks

God knows! I often wonder myself. Since about half a year ago you can throw in Fishingart in Poland with travel blanks, though only 3-piece.

Hi Steve,
Have a look at the DBlue site. You'll have to speak to Lily at info@dbluefishing.com as blanks don't appear on the website at the moment. She will email you a list. They have 1-4 piece blanks from 7' 6" up to 10' and 2-4 piece from 10' 6" to 13'. These are the new nano technology blanks and are nice blanks without a big price tag. I got some 7' 6'' 4 piece blanks for Mark Newcombe and he was impressed. I have a number of 1 piece blanks and they are nice.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Hi Col and Steve
I got the Proto type blanks from DBlue fishing in my shop and they are awesom.
It will be hard for the Competitors to beat the Quality of these blanks.
Best Regards Mark Crouse

Talon makes more then just the one you listed. They have many different multi pc blanks.

Hi Mark,
I'm glad they appeal to you. I bought a number just on spec for myself and some SEARBS members as I get on well with Lily. The blanks exceeded my expectations for the cost. Like all their products they offer excellent value for money and are good quality product, not cheap stuff.. Haven't been very well known but are getting there and with people like you on board that will help. Getting her to the Expo this year was good for them as they got to meet a lot of builders and made some good contacts especially people like you.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia