While Free Spirit rods are said to be British built, does anyone know where the blanks are actually made ?
I have a number of their rods, ES's my favourites and cover 90% of my fishing, so I do rate them.
An old mate of mine however recently quipped " you do know their rods are made for about ten bob a piece in Malaysia ? ".
I realise he was exaggerating, to make a point, but I have heard similar before.
Anyone know the definitive answer ?
I am thinking that their cheaper rods eg. CTX, Helical, might even be Chinese, but that's pure conjecture on my part.
I have been eying up the 12ft KS rods for my close in work, but will definitely be in two minds if they turn out to be built on far eastern blanks.
I have a number of their rods, ES's my favourites and cover 90% of my fishing, so I do rate them.
An old mate of mine however recently quipped " you do know their rods are made for about ten bob a piece in Malaysia ? ".
I realise he was exaggerating, to make a point, but I have heard similar before.
Anyone know the definitive answer ?
I am thinking that their cheaper rods eg. CTX, Helical, might even be Chinese, but that's pure conjecture on my part.
I have been eying up the 12ft KS rods for my close in work, but will definitely be in two minds if they turn out to be built on far eastern blanks.
In reply to Post #1
Like anything “British built”, most/all the materials or parts will come out of china. So British made from Chinese parts
Like anything “British built”, most/all the materials or parts will come out of china. So British made from Chinese parts
In reply to Post #1
The s range is a superb blank so dosent make a difference where there made really. I dont think the hi s blank is made in china but there made somewhere in the far east. None of the free spirit blanks are made in england though. Only century and harrison and some top end daiwa blanks are made here.
The s range is a superb blank so dosent make a difference where there made really. I dont think the hi s blank is made in china but there made somewhere in the far east. None of the free spirit blanks are made in england though. Only century and harrison and some top end daiwa blanks are made here.
In reply to Post #3
the more expensive free spirit blanks are made in japan. this includes the hi-s and s range.
I know that until recently no free spirit blanks came out of china but that might have changed with the new helicals.. I think that prior to this the more mid priced free spirit rods came out of Indonesia. I think its only the more high end rods that arrive in the uk as blanks and the others arrive ready built.
the more expensive free spirit blanks are made in japan. this includes the hi-s and s range.
I know that until recently no free spirit blanks came out of china but that might have changed with the new helicals.. I think that prior to this the more mid priced free spirit rods came out of Indonesia. I think its only the more high end rods that arrive in the uk as blanks and the others arrive ready built.
In reply to Post #4
That was my understanding as well, also the best prepeg carbon cloth is made in the United States and Japan and Germany and Japan produce the best resin and the best graphite blanks are American made.
That was my understanding as well, also the best prepeg carbon cloth is made in the United States and Japan and Germany and Japan produce the best resin and the best graphite blanks are American made.
In reply to Post #5
What is a graphite blank if it isn't sheet and resin?
What is a graphite blank if it isn't sheet and resin?
In reply to Post #6
My basic understanding is they have different molecular structure with graphite being more sensitive and therefore greater feel but it's not as strong and therefore not a suitable for casting heavier weights . This is probably why most quality fly rods are graphite and casting rods carbon. Modern resin technology has helped give both greater strength making them more durable, not sure if true but I was told the resin in some blanks is more expensive than the carbon or graphite.
My basic understanding is they have different molecular structure with graphite being more sensitive and therefore greater feel but it's not as strong and therefore not a suitable for casting heavier weights . This is probably why most quality fly rods are graphite and casting rods carbon. Modern resin technology has helped give both greater strength making them more durable, not sure if true but I was told the resin in some blanks is more expensive than the carbon or graphite.
In reply to Post #2
Unlike the Uk, China is rich in raw materials, like Russia, Ukraine, USA, Canada, parts of the Middle East & South America
China has recently slapped an export ban on some raw materials critical for the manufacture of semiconductors as it tries to slow the rest of the world's plan to open more fabs in Europe & the USA aka the global chip war
Unlike the Uk, China is rich in raw materials, like Russia, Ukraine, USA, Canada, parts of the Middle East & South America
China has recently slapped an export ban on some raw materials critical for the manufacture of semiconductors as it tries to slow the rest of the world's plan to open more fabs in Europe & the USA aka the global chip war
In reply to Post #8
China also owns most of the mining in Australia.
China also owns most of the mining in Australia.