Gentleman,
Can anyone explain the differances between carbon fiber, graphite and fiberglass (E glass?) blanks? What are there applications in the rod building world? How do I know I am getting what I paid for and the quality that the vendor claims is there? Thanks for the help.
Regards,
Cory

Different materials. Some better suited to particular techniques or uses than another. There are entire chapters in rod building books on this subject - it's a little tough to cover it well in a simple forum post.

In very general terms you can tell carbon from glass from the color of the actual material. Carbon is going to be a dark charcoal grey, glass will be much lighter in color, usually white. If the blank is painted you can look inside the butt of the blank or sand/scrape the butt end edge. Most often, power for power, carbon blanks are smaller in diameter than glass.

Few reputable manufacturers or dealers would try to pass off one for the other.

Quality is an entirely different matter and has nothing to do with material.

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In order of modulus- stiffness to weight, highest to lowest

1. Carbon- there are many grades of carbon fiber and they run up the scale in modulus. IM7 higher than IM6 etc.
2. S-Glass
3. E-Glass
4. Bamboo

Somebody else can give you a lot more details than I can.

If you buy your materials from the sponsors to the left you won't have these concerns.