High end rod blanks

hatch · #1 29-06-2012, 03:14 AM

Hey all, I've just finished uni and I've got a bit of time On my hands. I've had a bit of a dabble in rod building before but I've never really taken it too seriously. The old man has all the appropriate gear and just splashed out and brought a brand new rod lathe. I have a heap of rods, but I'm looking at making 6 rods that will satisfy all my breaming needs. Couple of long flats rods (one hardbody, one plastics), a short structure rod, a heavier hardbody/ plastic rod (7ft 6-12lb) and a couple of all rounder rods. I know exactly how I'm going to set them up guide wise (predominantly K-guides) and reel seat/grip wise (split eva grips and fuji reel seats), but I'm stumped as to what blanks to look at. The last time
I built a rod it was on a loomis blank but as far as I'm Aware they dont do blanks anymore. I would prefer for all the rods to be one brand. Money isn't an issue at this stage. I've had a look at MHX blanks but I'm looking for something a bit better. Any suggestions will be much appreciated

Cheers

pythonkeeper · #2 29-06-2012, 03:25 AM

The MHX blanks are a good blank and the MHX high mods are very nice. Phenix rods make nice blanks as do St Croix, all available from Mudhole in the US.
If you want to purchase in Aus you can get the MHX and St Criox from the rodworks in SA but they don't have the range Mudhole has.
Another good blank are the North Fork blanks, you can purchase these from Gary Howard in Brisbane.

Cheers,
Al

lukereneeseth · #3 29-06-2012, 03:50 AM

cant beat north fork blanks.... give gary howard a ring he does about 30 odd different blanks... though most of them you wont actually get a name of. tell him your specifics and he'll give you a big list available.

WrasseWrangler · #4 29-06-2012, 03:52 AM

I have the MHX S842-2 blank which is my go to rod for hard body's, i haven't used anything comparable to it and the price i was more then happy with.

Lymphocyte · #5 02-07-2012, 12:43 AM

Agree with all the suggestions so far (i.e. MHX, Phenix, St Croix, NFC), but I also think that you could be shooting yourself in the foot if you are restricting your choices to a single brand. NFC might make a bette plastics rod, but Phenix might be the one to look at for a hards rod. And even then it all comes down to personal opinion.

But if you're stuck on the idea of a single brand, I would look at St Croix and North Fork since they have a larger range of premium options. St croix would be better value for money coming from the states, but if you've already got a soft spot for Loomis, then you will be pleased to know that NFC is the company that Gary Loomis created after he sold the Loomis Rods trademark to Shimano.

special_k · #6 02-07-2012, 11:40 PM

I've looked into this and will probably go with a NFC or St. Croix blank - although have other plans first

goodluck and let us know how it goes

creek bandit · #7 03-07-2012, 01:51 AM

Loomis blanks became unavailable when shimano took over. Samurai blanks are another option. I got a B201C blank custom made and my buddy got a baitcaster blank and made a rack/structure rod spin rod out of it. Heaps of grunt.

royflatmate · #8 03-07-2012, 02:43 AM

St croix are nice and have been told the united composites are very good blanks by a reputable builder.I think they use to be Hastings.Not sure if you can get them here.But there range looks good.Will be looking to get some in the future.

cheers...Roy

StuKlose · #9 03-07-2012, 03:57 AM

I have now built over 30 bream rods and the MHX is my pick. Don't judge them on price as they well and truly outperform anything in that price bracket.
St Croix and Phenix are also nice but not any better than the MHX.

I have a couple of NFC rods for myself as well as MHX and there is nothing to justify the price difference. They are very similar to the Loomis range of which most of the early MHX range is a direct copy of.