Are first quality rod blanks supposed to come in a bag with a manufacturer label either in the bag or on the rod blank? Have not bought anything yet but want to make sure that I get the real McCloy when I make my first purchase. I had heard there were some shady people selling blanks as being first quality and from a specific company and they doing a bait and switch and sending a bare blank in no packaging.

If you're concerned, make your purchase from one of the vendors on the left side of the screen. I've done/still do business with several of them, and NEVER worry about fake blanks or components.

Listen to Jay
Go to the companies on the left

Bill - willierods.com

Steve;
Out of curiosity I have a question.
I noticed that you have been a member of this Forum since August 13th, 2005. And you still have bought anything to build a rod with.
What are you waiting for?

I did build one from a kit that my daughter gave me a few years ago. Got some help reading this phorum. Now ready to do another but have to buy all the stuff myself.

Like he others have said. The Vendors on the left are tried and true companies who can be trusted or they would not be on here. Several are great at helping a newer builder to put together the component to build what ever you are looking to build

Go to one of the Mud Hole classes, you will learn enough to get you started. Without the help of the folks on the forum and Mud Hole I would be lost, waste a lot of money and probably loose interest. It takes time but it's fun and a little addictive. Phil Ayers

Steve,
I have no idea where you are located, but if you can go to a rod class with a live instructor to help and answer questions, you will get up to speed very quickly.

Be safe

If you get a blank that isn't in a plastic bag with a decal either on or included beware.

I just received a blank from Lamiglass yesterday, it was in a plastic bag but no decal. The Mud Hole HHX blanks did not have a decal either. I thought they would have had decal with the spec.of the rod.

Phil,

I've only built on one Lami, and it is an old one. It had Lamiglas and the model number printed on the blank. I have no idea what they do these days. I would be particularly concerned with an MHX blank that came with no label. Each one is sent out with a label that has blank specs and a serial number used to identify it for warranty purposes. If it came from Mud Hole or a reputable vendor, I'm sure that Mud Hole would be glad to provide you with a decal for the blank. I ruined one of their decals during the application and they gladly sent out a replacement decal for the blank.

Joe