What's out there blank wise? And who does them? Not Cotswold Rods.. 
In reply to Post #1
I've bought some from Chiltern custom rods, arrived today so not used them yet but they look lovely and the communication throughout the build was superb!
I've bought some from Chiltern custom rods, arrived today so not used them yet but they look lovely and the communication throughout the build was superb!
In reply to Post #2
Dale, what blanks are they built on?
Dale, what blanks are they built on?
In reply to Post #3
No idea I'm afraid. Check out his site he might tell you where they're sourced from.
No idea I'm afraid. Check out his site he might tell you where they're sourced from.
In reply to Post #4
Yes will have a lock, Dale. Thanks .
Yes will have a lock, Dale. Thanks .
In reply to Post #6
I did try uploading some photos didn't work sorry.
I did try uploading some photos didn't work sorry.
In reply to Post #2
I was thinking about a set of those so did a bit of research. From what I saw the feedback was excellent.
I was thinking about a set of those so did a bit of research. From what I saw the feedback was excellent.
In reply to Post #7
Thanks again Dale. Had a peek on Chiltern rods insta page. Workmanship looks spot on. Did enquire to what blanks they build on. Hopefully they will get back to me.
Thanks again Dale. Had a peek on Chiltern rods insta page. Workmanship looks spot on. Did enquire to what blanks they build on. Hopefully they will get back to me.
In reply to Post #9
Mine have just been uploaded. I'm out at the weekend will let you know how they perform.
Mine have just been uploaded. I'm out at the weekend will let you know how they perform.
Anybody know of any other builders out there doing custom retractables and blanks used? Chiltern rods are yet to get back to me on me question. But looking at there site the compact rods they do look like there own blank.. Was just wondering whether the likes of Harrison or Century do retractable?
In reply to Post #11
I Was told last week by a rod builder Harrison or free spirit or century have no plans to make retractable rods he said all retractables are made abroad shame as I was asking the same question
I Was told last week by a rod builder Harrison or free spirit or century have no plans to make retractable rods he said all retractables are made abroad shame as I was asking the same question
In reply to Post #11
Probably because they're foreign made. My advice would be don't spend loads, as most are likely to come from the same factory but with a different label attached. there was a similar thread about Cotswold 'Pace' (?( rods being the same as a £50 equivalent, do a search, I can't be arsed.
Probably because they're foreign made. My advice would be don't spend loads, as most are likely to come from the same factory but with a different label attached. there was a similar thread about Cotswold 'Pace' (?( rods being the same as a £50 equivalent, do a search, I can't be arsed.
Given the recent popularity of telescopic carp rods I would be surprised if either Harrison or even Century haven't looked into it.
My guess would be that telescopic rods are so inherently compromised that they couldn't produce a product they were happy with.
If you want a shorter rod with a nice action a two or three piece is a better bet. If you want the convenience of a telescopic rod then the imported blanks like Scopes are just fine.
A lot of sh*te gets spoken about carp rods. It's pretty hard to buy a bad rod at any budget these days.
My guess would be that telescopic rods are so inherently compromised that they couldn't produce a product they were happy with.
If you want a shorter rod with a nice action a two or three piece is a better bet. If you want the convenience of a telescopic rod then the imported blanks like Scopes are just fine.
A lot of sh*te gets spoken about carp rods. It's pretty hard to buy a bad rod at any budget these days.
When Nash first bought out there retractable range. Like many no doubt I thought they were a bit of a Fad.. they won't last.. 10 plus years on. Most Tackle manufactures have Retractables in there Range.. And they are all I use. Convenient in so many ways.
Seems strange the high end blank manufacturers like Harrison, Free-spirit etc. Don't seem to manufacture them. Would be interesting to find out why?
Seems strange the high end blank manufacturers like Harrison, Free-spirit etc. Don't seem to manufacture them. Would be interesting to find out why?
In reply to Post #15
Hey,
Got out for the day yesterday and very impressed with them so far. They are the very first set of retractable rods I've owned and I know it was a lot of money to spend on the first set, but I wanted the best I could get my hands on and Chiltern was the only builder I came across who had done a fair few all ready tbh. They suit my fishing a lot more than 12's atm and I currently have a young family so I don't need to move car seats around etc...
Anyway the rods! They are a fast taper, I was fishing around 40 yards to a tree line, but hit the spot accurately every time. Managed to get one at 18lb was a lovely action and absorbed every lunge with ease and had a bit more in the tank. I was fishing a lake with a barbless rule also.
I really enjoyed using them, but I haven't been fishing for over 10 years so I could be easily pleased. I wouldn't feel confident using them on a heavy weedy water, but I'm fairly certain that's likely the case with any retractable rods currently on the market.
They felt like you could give them the beans so casts of a 100yards felt easily achievable.
I just need to get use to lining up the rings and packing them down made up.
Hey,
Got out for the day yesterday and very impressed with them so far. They are the very first set of retractable rods I've owned and I know it was a lot of money to spend on the first set, but I wanted the best I could get my hands on and Chiltern was the only builder I came across who had done a fair few all ready tbh. They suit my fishing a lot more than 12's atm and I currently have a young family so I don't need to move car seats around etc...
Anyway the rods! They are a fast taper, I was fishing around 40 yards to a tree line, but hit the spot accurately every time. Managed to get one at 18lb was a lovely action and absorbed every lunge with ease and had a bit more in the tank. I was fishing a lake with a barbless rule also.
I really enjoyed using them, but I haven't been fishing for over 10 years so I could be easily pleased. I wouldn't feel confident using them on a heavy weedy water, but I'm fairly certain that's likely the case with any retractable rods currently on the market.
They felt like you could give them the beans so casts of a 100yards felt easily achievable.
I just need to get use to lining up the rings and packing them down made up.
In reply to Post #15
Does the retractable section wear a lot quicker than the spigot on a rod?
Only thing I can think of if they can't guarantee this will hold after heavy use
Does the retractable section wear a lot quicker than the spigot on a rod?
Only thing I can think of if they can't guarantee this will hold after heavy use
In reply to Post #1
Ive had Scopes, Chilterns, Quickdraws and Pace Compacts.
By far the best rods were the scopes, worst was the pace compacts (bought and sold in the same weekend)
Ive had Scopes, Chilterns, Quickdraws and Pace Compacts.
By far the best rods were the scopes, worst was the pace compacts (bought and sold in the same weekend)
In reply to Post #18
Interesting because I'm of the opinion the blank on the scopes is the same as the Chiltern rod your just paying for a custom build.
See if he has replied to Kells message.
Interesting because I'm of the opinion the blank on the scopes is the same as the Chiltern rod your just paying for a custom build.
See if he has replied to Kells message.
In reply to Post #18
Scopes are the best rods i have owned. Just wish i could line the rings up first time and not spend hours looking at them and letting my OCD get the better of me!
Scopes are the best rods i have owned. Just wish i could line the rings up first time and not spend hours looking at them and letting my OCD get the better of me!
In reply to Post #16
Thanks for that Dale. I currently own a set of 3.1/4lb test ESP quickdraws. But was looking at some customable options. Your right lining up the eyes with your reel seat does take some getting used to. I'm constantly adjusting. You will never get it spot on. But in reality it's a small worry. Had my retractables over a year now. Not had any problems with wear on the spigots. Then I can't see any reason why you should have over say a 12ft.
I contacted Chiltern rods after I created this thread over the blanks they use. They replied saying the blanks were produced for them. They didn't say by whom.
Thanks for that Dale. I currently own a set of 3.1/4lb test ESP quickdraws. But was looking at some customable options. Your right lining up the eyes with your reel seat does take some getting used to. I'm constantly adjusting. You will never get it spot on. But in reality it's a small worry. Had my retractables over a year now. Not had any problems with wear on the spigots. Then I can't see any reason why you should have over say a 12ft.
I contacted Chiltern rods after I created this thread over the blanks they use. They replied saying the blanks were produced for them. They didn't say by whom.
In reply to Post #21
The 1k weave looks a mirror match to that of the scopes, but I know nothing about rod building so it could be a bog standard 1k weave haha
What rod storage are you using for the quickdraws? I've got the cult rod holdall but there's no bankstick storage. Looking at the quickdraw quiver ticks all the storage boxes but I don't fancy buying individual rod sleeves.
The 1k weave looks a mirror match to that of the scopes, but I know nothing about rod building so it could be a bog standard 1k weave haha
What rod storage are you using for the quickdraws? I've got the cult rod holdall but there's no bankstick storage. Looking at the quickdraw quiver ticks all the storage boxes but I don't fancy buying individual rod sleeves.
In reply to Post #22
Snap.. I use the Cult holdall myself. Carry my banksticks in me rucksack.
Snap.. I use the Cult holdall myself. Carry my banksticks in me rucksack.
In reply to Post #22
Or just a transfer pattern
Or just a transfer pattern
In reply to Post #19
it's definitely not the same blank.
it's definitely not the same blank.
What sort of price are a set of Chiltern custom compacts?
In reply to Post #26
Prices start at £475.00 per set of 3 or £525.00 with 50mm ringset
Prices start at £475.00 per set of 3 or £525.00 with 50mm ringset
In reply to Post #27
Thank you, that's a lot cheaper than i was expecting.
Thank you, that's a lot cheaper than i was expecting.
In reply to Post #16
I have used my Chiltern 3.5tc retractable in dense weed and had fish to just over 40lb on them with no problems at Etang Chantereine from both boat and bank.
Great rods IMHO.
I have used my Chiltern 3.5tc retractable in dense weed and had fish to just over 40lb on them with no problems at Etang Chantereine from both boat and bank.
Great rods IMHO.
I've had my chilterns a couple of seasons now, excellent communication throughout the build and photos sent to me through each process, the rods have been excellent with fish to 38lb, they have been my main set of rods for last couple of years and I own x2 sets of kev baines snipers so that tells you how much of a decent rod they are, I also had a net with same whipping as the rods, everything fits so compact in a sonik 10ft bag, they are not a Harrison or top end blank but what they are are a decent retractable rod at a good price, couldn't recommend them enough
In reply to Post #29
Nice good know they are capable, Looking forward to putting mine through their paces!
Nice good know they are capable, Looking forward to putting mine through their paces!
In reply to Post #12
Seen on Mark Tunleys Facebook page that Harrisons are bringing out a telescopic range now
Seen on Mark Tunleys Facebook page that Harrisons are bringing out a telescopic range now
In reply to Post #27
I got quoted nearly £800 for 3 rods with quite a modest finish.
I got quoted nearly £800 for 3 rods with quite a modest finish.
In reply to Post #22
Prolite are doing cut down versions of the TA rod sleeves for retractables, think they are custom to them.
A bit spenny but great protection and go in the quickdraw quiver perfectly
Prolite are doing cut down versions of the TA rod sleeves for retractables, think they are custom to them.
A bit spenny but great protection and go in the quickdraw quiver perfectly
In reply to Post #32
Harrison Telos - although cant really see the point myself when pack down isn't much smaller than a normal 10' rod? More bits to go wrong IMO - they also look like they've only got a carbon wrap on the bottom section and 'raw' on the top (similar to Torrix tip section)
Harrison Telos - although cant really see the point myself when pack down isn't much smaller than a normal 10' rod? More bits to go wrong IMO - they also look like they've only got a carbon wrap on the bottom section and 'raw' on the top (similar to Torrix tip section)
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