Can someone elaborate on the spine discussion? I'm getting ready to build my first rod and that's one of the first things I read about. Is it not important? Sorry to derail. Thanks.

No, it's not important.

Do a search here for "spine" and "straightest axis."


...........

I have been reading ther forum for a while now without posting and have finally had enough of people spouting RUBBISH about how the spine doesn't matter
It does matter - a LOT
I tested all my rods by hand and those that had a strong spine which weren't spine built torque twisted horribly under load - the effect was obvious, horrible, and very detrimental - basically a terrible lack of sensitivity which also placed the blank under huge undue stress - with no feel at all going directly where it should be - to YOU
The bottom line is that big companies have been trying to rubbish spine building for decades now - simply because it takes extra time and equates to a percentage of loss of income - in short, THEY CANNOT BE BOTHERED TO DO IT, SO THEY TRY AND TELL PEOPLE IT DOESN'T MATTER
Do NOT have the wool pulled over your eyes, a rod with a strong spine MUST be carefully spine built or it will be a horrible wreck of a fishing tool
I rebuilt all 11 of my rods perfectly on the spine. It took me many months labour but now I have a set of rods I am happy with. It makes me sad that a simple part of old fashioned rod building that rings as true as it ever did and ever will has been (ALMOST) quashed by the cheap and easy society we live in.