I just placed my 1st order with RODgeeks and am getting gloss only blanks. I received the blank sample pack before the blanks and think I made a mistake by not adding at least the black metallic color to them. Looking to see if anyone has been selling blanks with gloss only and what the customer reaction is to them compared to the black blank which is standard on St Croix. I'm not sure I like it. I have two sold so I will see what they think of them.
I know I should have ordered the samples 1st then placed my order. Figured I better say that so no one else has to.
Thanks
Rick

A while back I redid an old factory rod of mine. I stripped the paint off of it and then coated the bare blank with Perma Gloss. I personally liked the way it looked. It gave it a kind of luster. At the same time I also like the looks of bare graphite blanks with absolutely zero finish on them. As far as whether people will like it or not .... It's a matter of personal preference. My guess is some people may like them, some people may not. I will say that bare graphite blanks with no finish on them tend to show smudge marks versus blanks with some kind of finish on them. I've read that a nice coat of wax on bare graphite blanks is something people do. I may try that to help with the smudge thing.

When selling a rod one of the first questions I would think you would ask is what kind of finish or color a person wants the blank to have. It could limit your blank choices if someone wants a specific finish on it.

Rick,
If you don't like the glossy blanks do, as David pointed out, simply strip the blank. Do a final wet sand with 600 and 1200 sand paper and you will have a nice flat charcoal look as the Loomis IMX rods have had for years.

Also, the new Batson Eternity blanks have the same nice flat charcoal look of polished graphite with 0 weight gain from any sort of finish on the blank.

Over, the years, I have stripped a lot of blanks and have always been well pleased with both the weight reduction , as well as the appearance of the polished graphite blank.

Be safe

I have a RodGeeks gloss finished blank and the bare graphite and both are beautiful , if customers don't like it i would just send it back and choose a color they do like instead of stripping it down . If you couldn't return it then stripping it down would be a step to consider but RodGeeks has superb customer service and will go out of their way to make sure you're satisfied.

Lets wait until they come in and then decide , no need to worry about it beforehand.

Bare graphite + gloss is beautiful, IMHO, and has the advantage of going well with just about any wrap color scheme. I'll bet this will be a wasted worry.

I've sold 125 Gloss XC blanks, 61 Matte. I sell more white than anything

Thanks for all of the feedback on the gloss blanks. I'm glad I joined this site as the feed back one gets from the rod building community is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Again
Rick

Just want everybody who responded to my question on the blanks. I received my blanks this week and they look great.
Thanks again
Rick