OK which is best and why.
In reply to Post #1
The high end blanks are all made using the same grade carbons anyway & most of the carbon used in British rolled blanks is Japanese produced. Some of the best blanks ever rolled came out of the Daimaru factory. Free Spirits Hi'S blanks are rolled in the Far East yet many people have no problems using them. The factory builds have the rings, fittings & finish done in the UK but the blanks are still Far Eastern. Some of Daiwa's high end blanks are rolled in Scotland but some are rolled in Japan still. Century & Harrison are the only other two (to my memory at the moment) that roll their blanks in the UK (even though some of their lower-mid range blanks are rolled overseas still). The prepeg is still made overseas regardless of where the blank is rolled as well as fixtures & fittings etc, so never going to get a 100% British rod.
The high end blanks are all made using the same grade carbons anyway & most of the carbon used in British rolled blanks is Japanese produced. Some of the best blanks ever rolled came out of the Daimaru factory. Free Spirits Hi'S blanks are rolled in the Far East yet many people have no problems using them. The factory builds have the rings, fittings & finish done in the UK but the blanks are still Far Eastern. Some of Daiwa's high end blanks are rolled in Scotland but some are rolled in Japan still. Century & Harrison are the only other two (to my memory at the moment) that roll their blanks in the UK (even though some of their lower-mid range blanks are rolled overseas still). The prepeg is still made overseas regardless of where the blank is rolled as well as fixtures & fittings etc, so never going to get a 100% British rod.
In reply to Post #1
There are excellent companies in UK, USA, Japan, S korea and dare I say China. they all use pretty much the same process its down to the design of the rod and the people and equipment making it.
There are excellent companies in UK, USA, Japan, S korea and dare I say China. they all use pretty much the same process its down to the design of the rod and the people and equipment making it.
In reply to Post #2
"Daimuru" spelling correct
Best
Jon
"Daimuru" spelling correct
Best
Jon
I guess the carbon used is one thing. The manufacturing process is another, Autoclave etc. cheaper rods have a higher resin content and less carbon or cheaper carbons are used 
I think I once read a decent piece on the Harrison website once, possibly Century?
I have used Freespirit HiS rods for quite a few years, stunning blank for me. I have had a few sets or Torrix, people rave on about them, I didn't like the action. I have had a few sets of Century's over the years, all of the above are top quality and built to last for me, no doubt.
In my experiences though, paying top dollar for a fishing rod does not mean you have the rod of your dreams, it means you have paid top dollar, the ultimate test is in the use for me
I posted on here a while ago, I sold a set of Torrix to a friend and was going to buy some second hand HiS again, they had gone when I was after them so I was rod less near the end of a season, mate asked me to go fishing so I bought a set of Shimano Velocity's as a put me on, ended up using them most of the following year, paid £120 for 3, could not believe the action and rod for the money, just VERY heavy due to the high resin content
I think I once read a decent piece on the Harrison website once, possibly Century?
I have used Freespirit HiS rods for quite a few years, stunning blank for me. I have had a few sets or Torrix, people rave on about them, I didn't like the action. I have had a few sets of Century's over the years, all of the above are top quality and built to last for me, no doubt.
In my experiences though, paying top dollar for a fishing rod does not mean you have the rod of your dreams, it means you have paid top dollar, the ultimate test is in the use for me
I posted on here a while ago, I sold a set of Torrix to a friend and was going to buy some second hand HiS again, they had gone when I was after them so I was rod less near the end of a season, mate asked me to go fishing so I bought a set of Shimano Velocity's as a put me on, ended up using them most of the following year, paid £120 for 3, could not believe the action and rod for the money, just VERY heavy due to the high resin content
I was in the harrisons workshop just before lockdown, I dropped a rod off for them to make identical to,on collection they gave me a tour showing all the carbon,the madrels and where they're cut and assembled. was really interesting..met steve harrison and had a chat with him. was a great insight and considering the blanks they supply the place was nowhere near as big as I imagined it was going to be.
In reply to Post #2
Daimuru blanks were used in the early Normark rods and I still have three, best ever I doubt as things have moved on, best at the time and for some time beyond maybe.
Blank wise it is definitely not just a case to using the best prepeg cloth and resin as there is no best more best for what the blank designer requires. This I feel is ware Harrison, Century and Daiwa etc excel in that their designers have a great understanding of what they want to achieve.
Daimuru blanks were used in the early Normark rods and I still have three, best ever I doubt as things have moved on, best at the time and for some time beyond maybe.
Blank wise it is definitely not just a case to using the best prepeg cloth and resin as there is no best more best for what the blank designer requires. This I feel is ware Harrison, Century and Daiwa etc excel in that their designers have a great understanding of what they want to achieve.
In reply to Post #7
I agree, but if you look at what the Far Eastern blanks are like, there is nothing wrong with the top end ones in the same way as UK rolled. If the factories are working in the same controlled manner with the carbons during production on the high end blanks, then it doesn't matter if one is made in the UK or Far East if the same protocols & procedures are followed - I.e. same carbon's, same resin & amount, same curing process, same autoclave times (autoclaves have been used in carbon production longer than Century using them, just Century decided to use the inclusion in their marketing), same QC procedures, etc. Only difference would be that the wages paid to the staff would generally be cheaper in the Far East than in the UK, which helps lower the cost especially in large amounts where shipping freight costs are lowered per item. Far Eastern blanks get a bad name because they are usually cheaper for same quality. Notice nobody complains about their reels that are usually from Japan or Far East for the top end models.
The Daimaru Carbotec blanks are still to be bettered in the general coarse/match world & anybody that knows the rods will tell you the same.
I agree, but if you look at what the Far Eastern blanks are like, there is nothing wrong with the top end ones in the same way as UK rolled. If the factories are working in the same controlled manner with the carbons during production on the high end blanks, then it doesn't matter if one is made in the UK or Far East if the same protocols & procedures are followed - I.e. same carbon's, same resin & amount, same curing process, same autoclave times (autoclaves have been used in carbon production longer than Century using them, just Century decided to use the inclusion in their marketing), same QC procedures, etc. Only difference would be that the wages paid to the staff would generally be cheaper in the Far East than in the UK, which helps lower the cost especially in large amounts where shipping freight costs are lowered per item. Far Eastern blanks get a bad name because they are usually cheaper for same quality. Notice nobody complains about their reels that are usually from Japan or Far East for the top end models.
The Daimaru Carbotec blanks are still to be bettered in the general coarse/match world & anybody that knows the rods will tell you the same.
In reply to Post #7
Agree with you goose, also helps the uk based blank producers understand the requirements of a european carp rod.
The far east can produce fine blanks, but the r&d is a little more time consuming and carbon emitting with prototypes going back and forth.
Saying the hi-s has a nicer action than a torrix for example isn't a fair comparison, Harrison have blanks with actions closer to a factory hi-s and imo better
Agree with you goose, also helps the uk based blank producers understand the requirements of a european carp rod.
The far east can produce fine blanks, but the r&d is a little more time consuming and carbon emitting with prototypes going back and forth.
Saying the hi-s has a nicer action than a torrix for example isn't a fair comparison, Harrison have blanks with actions closer to a factory hi-s and imo better
In reply to Post #9
Actions is a make or break sales wise. I've owned all the names mentioned here and was a huge infinity xld fan but purely from a casting veiw point and I remember people telling me it was a great rod made in the UK completely overlooking the fact the designer was Japanese and as has been said built from Japanese materials.
Good point re Harrison and there range but I agree with a previous poster about the torrix had owned the 2lbtc custom built by snaggs and loved them, at the time every man and his dog had 3.25tc so bought a set and didn't like them so thought maybe the 2.75tc would have a similar action to my 2's but no sold them as well. Funny thing though the 12ft 6in te is a buitifull rod to cast and very reasonable to play fish on considering its casting capability.
Actions is a make or break sales wise. I've owned all the names mentioned here and was a huge infinity xld fan but purely from a casting veiw point and I remember people telling me it was a great rod made in the UK completely overlooking the fact the designer was Japanese and as has been said built from Japanese materials.
Good point re Harrison and there range but I agree with a previous poster about the torrix had owned the 2lbtc custom built by snaggs and loved them, at the time every man and his dog had 3.25tc so bought a set and didn't like them so thought maybe the 2.75tc would have a similar action to my 2's but no sold them as well. Funny thing though the 12ft 6in te is a buitifull rod to cast and very reasonable to play fish on considering its casting capability.
In reply to Post #10
I found the 3.25 torrix too much as well, the Cotswold xxx/torrix sport was a nicer action in that tc
We both know assembly/build can have as big an effect as small variances in the blank itself too
I found the 3.25 torrix too much as well, the Cotswold xxx/torrix sport was a nicer action in that tc
We both know assembly/build can have as big an effect as small variances in the blank itself too
In reply to Post #8
Carbotec were never popular in my area and I had the feeder rod but all and sundry delighted in telling me how the carbon active was just as good but much cheaper.
Carbotec were never popular in my area and I had the feeder rod but all and sundry delighted in telling me how the carbon active was just as good but much cheaper.
In reply to Post #1
Hi Goose...are you talking blanks or built rods??
Jap blanks are awesome. Really steely...almost too powerful and built to order with added weight (heavy giudes) so they can be softened for commercial use..
Eg jap built h'isive 3.5 is very mellow in factory build, but like a plank with the eyes off. (Why do you think manufacturers do this?)
Some might argue to make them more useable to the masses..ps that's classed as a players rod to some..
British blanks you describe are usually designed with certain 'attributes' in mind which befit the ethos of the blanks design (Harrison being a great example imho)
A lot of Harrison blanks are receptive in a positive way to differing builds purely by their construction / base ethos
Foreign / Japanese builds are not IMHO simply because they have been built primarialy to marketing pressures of being very stiff / unyielding which can be softened buy adding weight / mass.
Love to hear other peoples thoughts though..👍
Hi Goose...are you talking blanks or built rods??
Jap blanks are awesome. Really steely...almost too powerful and built to order with added weight (heavy giudes) so they can be softened for commercial use..
Eg jap built h'isive 3.5 is very mellow in factory build, but like a plank with the eyes off. (Why do you think manufacturers do this?)
Some might argue to make them more useable to the masses..ps that's classed as a players rod to some..
British blanks you describe are usually designed with certain 'attributes' in mind which befit the ethos of the blanks design (Harrison being a great example imho)
A lot of Harrison blanks are receptive in a positive way to differing builds purely by their construction / base ethos
Foreign / Japanese builds are not IMHO simply because they have been built primarialy to marketing pressures of being very stiff / unyielding which can be softened buy adding weight / mass.
Love to hear other peoples thoughts though..👍
In reply to Post #1
As far as modern Carbon Carp Rods go – I had the opportunity to see and handle some prototype North Western Carp Rods a few years back, when a guy called Karl Grix? (Off memory) was trying to persuade North Western to start making Rods again rather than just concentrating on the Military products.
It's a few years back, but still now – I've never seen anything that come even close to what I saw that day, it was also the first time I'd ever seen Rods with full Titanium Eyes, I remember there was no Ceramic liners in them.
What a shame nothing came of it
As far as modern Carbon Carp Rods go – I had the opportunity to see and handle some prototype North Western Carp Rods a few years back, when a guy called Karl Grix? (Off memory) was trying to persuade North Western to start making Rods again rather than just concentrating on the Military products.
It's a few years back, but still now – I've never seen anything that come even close to what I saw that day, it was also the first time I'd ever seen Rods with full Titanium Eyes, I remember there was no Ceramic liners in them.
What a shame nothing came of it
In reply to Post #14
They were probably ti minima guides if that's the case, the liners of which are actually thin steel.
What grade of steel I haven't a clue, but I grooved a load with braid on a SW fly rod.
They were probably ti minima guides if that's the case, the liners of which are actually thin steel.
What grade of steel I haven't a clue, but I grooved a load with braid on a SW fly rod.
In reply to Post #13
Hi Goose...are you talking blanks or built rods
Has to be both, as you have said the build can vastly change the character of the finished rod. This brings you to the minefield of selecting the right person to build the rod for your exact requirements but you need to know exactly what they are.
Hi Goose...are you talking blanks or built rods
Has to be both, as you have said the build can vastly change the character of the finished rod. This brings you to the minefield of selecting the right person to build the rod for your exact requirements but you need to know exactly what they are.
I'm pretty sure there is no ‘best' rod out there , it's a personal preference and like Razor back said the build of the rod can change a rods character sometimes on purpose and sometimes for the mass market , that's how I see it anyway 
If you look at Century they have had rods in their ranges for specific reasons for years. I have some ADV1s and I would class them as one of their newer an all rounder types
For example
FBS
NG
FS
SP
FMJ
For a long time, see the pattern. The dream would be a set of each but it's not feasible for most I suspect
For the majority you are buying a comprise if you plan on using one set of rods or you need three sets for ultimate pleasure and function, small water, medium and large water rods for starters
For example
FBS
NG
FS
SP
FMJ
For a long time, see the pattern. The dream would be a set of each but it's not feasible for most I suspect
For the majority you are buying a comprise if you plan on using one set of rods or you need three sets for ultimate pleasure and function, small water, medium and large water rods for starters
In reply to Post #18
Hi Scozza, yeah they also did the twin tip AK47 as well just to add to that in respect of trying to bridge that alround gap.
There is one in that range you have mentioned that's by far the best blank they have ever done. Its built really poorly though and is massively transformed with a more conservative and lightweight build on it. Lots of people on here rave about it and I have mentioned it before. The other one is the Fo-cal.
The FMJ's were big casting rods which always broke just above the spigot. (I did 3) 😳
Century seem to have a trait of making the butt section below the spigot weaker than the section above and lots of their rods break in that area. It's difficult to get over it joints to work though.
Hi Scozza, yeah they also did the twin tip AK47 as well just to add to that in respect of trying to bridge that alround gap.
There is one in that range you have mentioned that's by far the best blank they have ever done. Its built really poorly though and is massively transformed with a more conservative and lightweight build on it. Lots of people on here rave about it and I have mentioned it before. The other one is the Fo-cal.
The FMJ's were big casting rods which always broke just above the spigot. (I did 3) 😳
Century seem to have a trait of making the butt section below the spigot weaker than the section above and lots of their rods break in that area. It's difficult to get over it joints to work though.
In reply to Post #19
I had some FS in 3 1/2 tc with the stainless reel seats, used them what they were designed for, long range bag work, perfect for the job where I was fishing at the time, a powerful rod in 3 1/2 test
Which blank are you talking about and what test? X lite form?
I had some FS in 3 1/2 tc with the stainless reel seats, used them what they were designed for, long range bag work, perfect for the job where I was fishing at the time, a powerful rod in 3 1/2 test
Which blank are you talking about and what test? X lite form?
In reply to Post #20
Which blank are you talking about and what test?
3.5TC NG
Which blank are you talking about and what test?
3.5TC NG
In reply to Post #21
Must admit, legendary with a bit of a cult status
I know a lad, not seen him for quite few years now, he has used a set for YEARS, probably still got them. Same with another mate, infinity magnum tapers, unlike me, if it's not broken don't fix it!
Must admit, legendary with a bit of a cult status
I know a lad, not seen him for quite few years now, he has used a set for YEARS, probably still got them. Same with another mate, infinity magnum tapers, unlike me, if it's not broken don't fix it!
The real purist wants Japanese glass blanks. Have a look at this https://www.instagram.com/kabutorods/?hl=en
OK they're for trout, but they'll stop most carp in the UK in their tracks if you dare to bend them to the butt
OK they're for trout, but they'll stop most carp in the UK in their tracks if you dare to bend them to the butt
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