Just interested to see if anyone has any specific understanding of modern materials used in rod building could tell me do blanks soften still over time and is it in fact time that softens them or is it through use.
It would be hard for to tell on my rods as i havent had the need to cast them very hard at all for probably 5 years so going out on to a field might not give any clues either. Im just curious really as ive never owned any rods from new for some time and was wondering if buying new or second hand makes a huge difference.
It would be hard for to tell on my rods as i havent had the need to cast them very hard at all for probably 5 years so going out on to a field might not give any clues either. Im just curious really as ive never owned any rods from new for some time and was wondering if buying new or second hand makes a huge difference.
In reply to Post #1
I'm sure someone who knows more than me will confirm, but my understanding is that cheaper blanks have less carbon and higher amounts of resin. These are prone to softening over time. Good quality low resin carbon blanks are less likely to soften I believe.
I'm sure someone who knows more than me will confirm, but my understanding is that cheaper blanks have less carbon and higher amounts of resin. These are prone to softening over time. Good quality low resin carbon blanks are less likely to soften I believe.
In reply to Post #1
I broke a tip section on a 25 year old Harrison multi carp. I was worried the old tips may have gone soft and they wouldn't match up so I ordered two new ones...
When I got the replacement's i did comparison tests with the other old rods and and these was absolutely no difference.
I broke a tip section on a 25 year old Harrison multi carp. I was worried the old tips may have gone soft and they wouldn't match up so I ordered two new ones...
When I got the replacement's i did comparison tests with the other old rods and and these was absolutely no difference.
In reply to Post #1
The only harrison blank i have known to soften was the original Ballista , this blank has undergone tweaks over the years to erradicate that.
The only harrison blank i have known to soften was the original Ballista , this blank has undergone tweaks over the years to erradicate that.
In reply to Post #4
Would agree with that, mine are about 30 years old and feel as though they have softened up over the years. Hard to quantify due to it being so gradual, just don't seem quite as "tippy" as I remember them when new. Can still put a 2oz lead around 100 yds though and delightful fishing rods.
Would agree with that, mine are about 30 years old and feel as though they have softened up over the years. Hard to quantify due to it being so gradual, just don't seem quite as "tippy" as I remember them when new. Can still put a 2oz lead around 100 yds though and delightful fishing rods.
The higher end rods, more carbon, less resin, and the autoclaving, removing the air in the carbon/resin mix, mean that they should soften up more slowly than cheaper rods that aren't autoclaved.
In reply to Post #6
I think it's only Century who autoclave their blanks?
I think it's only Century who autoclave their blanks?
In reply to Post #1
I've had my 2 3/4tc Ballistas since around 93. They've been properly abused over some of that time, throwing 4oz leads and being used as marker rods on an extremely weedy lake.
A few years back I decided to do a TC check, assuming that they would have softened up. I honestly couldn't find any evidence of this, they still appear to be 2 3/4tc.
I've had my 2 3/4tc Ballistas since around 93. They've been properly abused over some of that time, throwing 4oz leads and being used as marker rods on an extremely weedy lake.
A few years back I decided to do a TC check, assuming that they would have softened up. I honestly couldn't find any evidence of this, they still appear to be 2 3/4tc.
In reply to Post #7
I honestly don't know. I know that Century do, but presumed other high quality blank manufacturers were following suit.
I know Harrison do autoclave some of their Salmon blanks, I remember reading about Lhorik (?) blanks years ago.
I honestly don't know. I know that Century do, but presumed other high quality blank manufacturers were following suit.
I know Harrison do autoclave some of their Salmon blanks, I remember reading about Lhorik (?) blanks years ago.
I doubt theres many rod companies using an autoclave unless they have a foot in other industries like Centry do. Graphite leader maybe use one for all or some of their rods.
Olympic
On Steve Harrison blog a few years ago he mentioned autoclaves were more important for complex 'closed' shapes like wings; whereas an open ended tube the air is easier to escape. Which makes sense.
Otherwise they're pretty much all made in the same way.....for anyone else who has too much spare time on their hands...
DaiwaJap
Shimano
loads of others from other companies on YT
Olympic
On Steve Harrison blog a few years ago he mentioned autoclaves were more important for complex 'closed' shapes like wings; whereas an open ended tube the air is easier to escape. Which makes sense.
Otherwise they're pretty much all made in the same way.....for anyone else who has too much spare time on their hands...
DaiwaJap
Shimano
loads of others from other companies on YT
In reply to Post #9
Lohric 👍built using state of the art low resin high modulus fabric
Lohric 👍built using state of the art low resin high modulus fabric
In reply to Post #1
thanks guys for your input appreciate it.
thanks guys for your input appreciate it.