Somewhat confusing to me that the freshwater blanks are described with a header that says graphite. However, the detailed description for the first six blanks describes them as “fast glass”

So I’m a little confused as whether they’re actually a fiberglass blank?

Yes they’re fiberglass. I am building the 742 currently and already know I’m going to love it.

The site could use some reworking that’s for sure.

Thanks for replying clearing that up! I’m a big fiberglass fan for crank baits and one could only imagine that the NFC glass has got to be good!

Interesting. New to me is federal excise tax. $35 flat rate. $52 blank will cost me 100 bucks.

I built the CB704 and have not been impressed. It feels heavy and slow in spite of its not being that heavy. I much prefer graphite.

phil sweeney Wrote:
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> Interesting. New to me is federal excise tax. $35
> flat rate. $52 blank will cost me 100 bucks.

Over $75 is free shipping. So 2 of the APFG cost $125

Patrick Coco Wrote:
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> phil sweeney Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Interesting. New to me is federal excise tax.
> $35
> > flat rate. $52 blank will cost me 100 bucks.
>
> Over $75 is free shipping. So 2 of the APFG cost
> $125

… and getting that extra blank at a nominal cost is the cheapest way to get “breakage insurance”.

Patrick and John: your information changes the picture for me, so buying a couple blanks is a reasonable solution. I’m just such a tight wad! ????

Michael Danek Wrote:
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> I built the CB704 and have not been impressed. It
> feels heavy and slow in spite of its not being
> that heavy. I much prefer graphite.

I could not tell from the description that this is a fiberglass blank?

John Santos Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Patrick Coco Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > phil sweeney Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Interesting. New to me is federal excise tax.
> > $35
> > > flat rate. $52 blank will cost me 100 bucks.
> >
> > Over $75 is free shipping. So 2 of the APFG
> cost
> > $125
>
> … and getting that extra blank at a nominal cost
> is the cheapest way to get “breakage
> insurance”.
What is APFG? Are there any suppliers that you know how to carry the NFC blanks?

"I could not tell from the description that this is a fiberglass blank?"

I'll have to go onto the web site again. It's tough for me to understand the complexity of the NFC offerings, and seems to me their website doesn't help part the fog very well.

Hybrid CB 704 Zentron (Delta LMX)

I thought at the time of order that this was a "fast glass" blank. Looking at the website I cannot find any description of "hybrid Zentron (Delta LMX). It weighed less than 2 oz yet feels like it weighs a lot more, feels big and clumsy in the hand. Not sure why.

Thanks for the response! Oh echo somebody else’s comment that website needs some work!

David,

What are your thoughts on the APFG 742? I'm tossing around the idea of building on the APFG line for a longer casting rod used for sight fishing with lighter jigs. I have a BFS rod, but I'm looking for something with a soft tip for throwing light jigs (1/4oz total weight) with a decent backbone, which is where the BFS lacks. I've read they have a softer tip and a good backbone, but have also read the opposite. With a rating down to 1/8oz and the IP/AA I've seen I think the 744 may fit the bill. Curious on your opinions as you've gone with the 742 vise the 744.

Michael Danek Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hybrid CB 704 Zentron (Delta LMX)
>
> I thought at the time of order that this was a
> "fast glass" blank. Looking at the website I
> cannot find any description of "hybrid Zentron
> (Delta LMX). It weighed less than 2 oz yet feels
> like it weighs a lot more, feels big and clumsy in
> the hand. Not sure why.


I believe those blanks are composites....probably glass in the tip, which would make it feel heavy for sure.

APFG = All Purpose Fast Glass, it's a linear S Glass instead of an S Glass that comes in a mat glass cloth like we have always seen before. Linear fiber orientation is how graphite prepeg is laid out, this improves the modulus of any material without having to change to material, more modulus (resistance to bending) allows you to use less to get the same result in the blank. NFC isn't the only one using this material, CTS, Rainshadow, Epic, St Croix, and I'm sure others use it. I built a rod on the APFG 710-1, it's a sweet stick.

Thanks, Spencer! That's good information!

I recall Gary saying in an interview that if he had this quality of glass available back when he started, he may never have gone into graphite. Not sure if Mr. Loomis was being a rod-designer or salesman at that moment; however, he was very confident in his APFG line.

I like them, too. The linear aspect explains why the APFG is what I think of as "crisp glass." The CCS tests showed a true extra fast action (AA = 80 in my tests). Light weight for glass. Quite sensitive, too.

Even the "All Purpose" makes sense because I have used mine (744, 745, and 786) for everything from jigs to frogs to crank and swimbaits. No complaints - they do it all well.

The online catalog on the NFC website has some good information for most of the blank series and materials.

Delta is a combination of SM, IM and Zentron.

I like the APFG series. I have up to 5. The 2 is a big step up in power from the 1. Both are very nice with light baits. The 2 and 4 are my favorite.

The Delta is the hybrid series and also a Carbon series (I think). I have the SJ804 and it is a nice blank, but I like the IM version better.

I use the lowest power for Crappie and small Bass, very entertaining.