I have recently purchased several of the crb color rods (nice cheap option for gifts) they are all light action but vary in lengths. The variation in feel is astonishing, the 6’ feels like what I believe a light action should feel like, but the 6’6” feels almost like a medium or a very stout medium light. Has anyone else ran into this issue?

their likely made on the same mandrel with a different flag pattern.

Steve,
You have to consider how much you paid for the blanks.

But, yes, the differences in supposedly identical rods can often vary a little or a lot.

Take care

I believe the greatest challenge for a blank manufacturer is to consistently reproduce models that will perform similar to each other.

The rod blanks that are manufactured in foreign factories present even greater challenges with quality control and the amount of tolerances allowed due to lack of supervision.

It really comes down to a job for a person in that factory or a craft. In the US the majorities of workers will look at it like a craft and take more pride in their work.

US blank makers have owners that are also more involved in the craft and will have better over site of their processes and take responsibility for quality.

I can not see this type of mentality in a large foreign blank manufacturer that are contracted the work from company owners here in the US. I believe with proper over site it is possible, but is the diligence to be there in a foreign country all the time practical.

Sensible anglers would love to see actual, measured test-results comparing rod blank performances rather than testimonials from persons of unknown expertise - maybe even touts for competition blank manufacturers or their marketers.