In reply to Post #15
No - that looks like an Aviator...

LINKY POO™ https://laluciole-macanneapeche.com/produit/harrison-baby-ballista-11-3lbs/

Here you can see both finishes from Factory - Butts are Varnished Sprial - Tips are ground.

Harrison Stalker 10' 2,75tc are really good rods.
Good casting (easy 70m with PVA mesh stick).
In France, perfect for me in small waters, 12lb mono.

In reply to Post #15
Cant see it too well because of all the adverts on the page, but based on the weave that could be chimera blanks which were lovely.

A very nice (3 set) Century Armalite MK3 Full Shrink 12ft 3.00lb is for sale for €900 (£778.73) Used twice, owner prefers to fish with a 10-foot rod.

Seriously consider these ones

In reply to Post #19
If you are open to other options then ESP 12' Terry Hearn mk1 2lb9oz and mk2 2.75lb are very nice rods. If my memory serves me right then they are very similar to the Free Spirit ES.
There is also a newer mk3 12' 3lb.

In reply to Post #18
Chimera blanks are built with 3 distinct carbon paterns.
Butt = 3K
Tip = 1K and ground carbon mix.

From HAR website - The Chimera range was named after the mythical beast, a mix of lion, goat and dragon. The Chimera rod has a distinctive 3k woven butt section and 1k and UD tip section. Three distinctive parts like the Chimera of Greece.

Rod builder told me that if I am satisfied with the ES, I should keep them and have all 3 off them finished to my specifications.

In reply to Post #22
He,s not using them though . The torrix stalkers are a far better rod . The ballista stalkers are better still in my opinion.

In reply to Post #21
Thanks, I thought mine were the same weave all the way up the blank - but that was a long time ago 😂