On 7/10/2024 at 9:56 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

 Point blank rods are on my short list to try. 

You ever get around to it? Curious what you think

3 hours ago, 1984isNOW said:

You ever get around to it? Curious what you think

Not yet. It’s been really busy here. I’ll post impressions when I do though. 

17 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Not yet. It’s been really busy here. I’ll post impressions when I do though. 

I recommend starting with either one of the 6-9's or my favorite, the 701MLF, CCS power 19.9 ERN, 77 degrees action.  Very versatile, very sensitive/crisp. 

If I was having a jig & worm custom made today I would contact Alex at ALX and have him build the rod using Phenix K2 blank or equal blank duplicating the NRX+ premium cork handle shape including short lock ring/fore grip and ALX guide train. Tell Alex what reel , line, lure weights you use and rod length.

Tom

 

I don't think G Loomis has particularly awesome build quality, any proficient rod builder ought can build a rod as "well" as G Loomis.

To measure up to a NRX or NRX+.

 

Blank would be Rainshadow Eternity or NFC X-Ray/HMX. These blanks are under 2oz and you can feel a mosquito fart on it. I also built rods with Point Blank, they are Chinese made blanks and do not have the sensitivity of the two I mentioned. They also have this annoying spiral texture on it that makes rod wrapping a little more challenging. 

 

Guides I would choose is obviously Fuji Titanium SIC or Torzite. The Recoil guides are nice cause they don't break but it isn't as slick and noisy compared to a SIC/Torzite. 

 

Reel seats obviously Fuji as well. or the new compressed carbon fiber stuff. I like Japanese Matagi painted Fuji stuff and premium cork.

 

If built this way I would say it's better than a NRX.

I have a few Edge Silver Widows with the NFC xray blanks, to me they are definitely more sensitive than the nrx+ rods I had. Those nfc blanks are sweet!  

On 5/15/2024 at 6:10 PM, MickD said:

NRX is nothing out of the ordinary for good builders.  Lots of premium blanks out there that are at least the equivalent, and the details can be whatever the buyer prefers.  I personally don't like the grips/seats/handles etc of Loomis.  I think my designs are better.  And I do not build for anyone other than family and me.  

Mick - what handle/grip/seat(s) do you prefer on your blanks? I’ve come to realize I prefer a full length cork grip… That said, I’m not real sure why full over split (I prefer cork over Winn/EVA) because aside from casting, I very rarely have my hands below the reel seat. I palm all my reels, so maybe that’s why I never use my handle, except for casting? 

15 minutes ago, Smirak said:

Mick - what handle/grip/seat(s) do you prefer on your blanks? I’ve come to realize I prefer a full length cork grip… That said, I’m not real sure why full over split (I prefer cork over Winn/EVA) because aside from casting, I very rarely have my hands below the reel seat. I palm all my reels, so maybe that’s why I never use my handle, except for casting? 

my comment was based on spinning rods.  I prefer split grip for both cast and spin, and for spin I make my own parts from what is called "exotic burl" cork, which is denser than natural cork, but much more durable and comes in a wide variety of patterns.  For spin I use 7 1/2 inch rings and 4 1/8 inch rings, turning them on a rig I cobbled for my drill press.  I uplock Fuji DPSSD seats, ending up with short ramps off both ends + a butt knob.  For cast I've evolved into using carbon fiber grips, a short 3 1/2 inch grip + a butt knob.  No front grip or ramp.  Photo is an example of the spin design. 

Thanks Mick. That’s some nice burl, where’d you source that?

29 minutes ago, Smirak said:

Thanks Mick. That’s some nice burl, where’d you source that?

HFF out of Taylor, MI has tons of it made by a great company, Cork4Us.  Some burl has very little character, looking more like particle board.  Cork4Us exotic burl has pieces varying in size and shape, so it has what I call "character."  One can go overboard, IMO, with this stuff, and the rods start to look gaudy, contrived, un-natural.  But, everyone has their own preferences, and you can express it with exotic burl cork.  HFF is having a sale for the next few days.  https://www.hffcustomrods.com/

Thanks Mick! I’m a woodworker by hobby too, so anytime I hear “burl” I get excited!

I'm confident anyone on this site that regularly builds rods can build a better NRX if starting with an NRX blank.  Loomis build quality is lacking and their imagination is non existent. 

I build rods and have used several different blanks...Rainshadow Eternity, Rainshadow Immortal, RodGeeks Carbon 2, RodGeek Carbon 4, RodGeeks Bass 2, RodGeeks Bass 3, RodGeeks Bass 4, RodGeeks Bass 5, and Lamiglas.  The RodGeeks are owned and made by St Croix and they will tell you the Carbon/Bass 2 is similar to their SC II, the Bass 3 is equivalent SC III (Avid), Carbon & Bass 4 are equivalent to SC IV, and their Bass V is equivalent to SC V/Legend blanks.  With these blanks and high end components Im able to build a rod better than most factory rods (in my opinion) and customize it with string colors I want and play with different grip.  However in the last 6 months I have started playing with some factory rods.  I have never built on blank and dont have access to a blank that is in my opinion as good of a blank as the one used by shimano on the Expride rods.  These are some of the lightest and most sensitive rods I have used and the come with high-end components.  I truly wish Shimano sold those blanks.

3 hours ago, Huckfinn38 said:

I truly wish Shimano sold those blanks.

You might have already built on them, just didn't know it.  I doubt if the Exprides are any better than SCV or Rainshadow Eternity.  But. . . 

 

One really fine blank brand I see you're missing is Point Blank.  They are closing out their legacy blanks before introducing the next generation, and the legacies are wonderful blanks.  For about $100 you can't go wrong.  If any are still left.   My favorites, and I've built on most of the blanks you mention.

30 minutes ago, MickD said:

You might have already built on them, just didn't know it.  I doubt if the Exprides are any better than SCV or Rainshadow Eternity.  But. . . 

 

One really fine blank brand I see you're missing is Point Blank.  They are closing out their legacy blanks before introducing the next generation, and the legacies are wonderful blanks.  For about $100 you can't go wrong.  If any are still left.   My favorites, and I've built on most of the blanks you mention.

I have been interested in trying these.  Some of the east coast guys i know have built on their surf blanks.

I broke my Bass 5 (SC V) rod by hitting the tip with a weight.  IT was terrible.  I did like the rod and currently cant do a side by side test.

I have an Eternity 72MH I weigh next to my Expride 72MHF.  I have Winn Grips on my Eternity so they should be heavier. In addition when I was building the Eternity the blank splintered a little near the butt of the blank so I covered the blank between the split grips with carbon sleeving. I do know this both are fast action blanks but the eterntity is definitely a softer tip.

2 hours ago, MickD said:

One really fine blank brand I see you're missing is Point Blank.  They are closing out their legacy blanks before introducing the next generation, and the legacies are wonderful blanks.  For about $100 you can't go wrong.  If any are still left.   My favorites, and I've built on most of the blanks you mention.

I handled many of the new Point Blank models at the Angler's Resource rod building event last weekend.  Very nice and looking forward to availability!  Was not able to compare side by side with old version.  Number of blank models is doubling with light and ultra-light in various lengths.  The folks at Anglers Resource are very pleased with prototype performance.  Hope we will be able to afford them 😀.

Rainshadow Eternity ETEC72MH fully built 4.65 oz. 
Shimano Expride EXC72MHB fully built 4.3 oz

 

note i cut 1.5 inches off the butt of the Eternity as i wanted it shorter for a jerkbait rod.

 

Dont get me wrong i think the Eternity is a good blank but as of now limited to 3 months use I think the Expride Rod is a better rod. With a wholesale i can build an Eternity for $150-$165 with high end components. Im not sure the Expride is $100 better though.

 

2 hours ago, MikeK said:

I handled many of the new Point Blank models at the Angler's Resource rod building event last weekend.  Very nice and looking forward to availability!  Was not able to compare side by side with old version.  Number of blank models is doubling with light and ultra-light in various lengths.  The folks at Anglers Resource are very pleased with prototype performance.  Hope we will be able to afford them 😀.

Is Anglers Resource the group that owns Fuji?

11 hours ago, Huckfinn38 said:

Is Anglers Resource the group that owns Fuji?

Anglers Resource is the US distributor for Fuji fishing products.    Point Blanks are not Fuji blanks, but blanks designed by Anglers Resource. I believe I have that right. 

11 hours ago, Huckfinn38 said:

Rainshadow Eternity ETEC72MH fully built 4.65 oz. 
Shimano Expride EXC72MHB fully built 4.3 oz

Just because they are described the same doesn't mean they are the same action and power.  I'll bet if you measure them the Eternity will be more powerful.   Or its "hardware" is heavier.   I have built a lot of rainshadow blanks into rods and never had a failure and never had to return one due to a defect. 

ETEC72M-SS, IP 597, 75 deg.

ETEC72MH-SS, IP 681, 72 deg.

ETEC74H-SS, IP 912, 70 deg.

IPETEC76M-SS, IP 589, 76 deg.

ETEC76MH-SS, IP 753, 70 deg.

12 hours ago, MickD said:

Anglers Resource is the US distributor for Fuji fishing products.    Point Blanks are not Fuji blanks, but blanks designed by Anglers Resource. I believe I have that right. 

Just because they are described the same doesn't mean they are the same action and power.  I'll bet if you measure them the Eternity will be more powerful.   Or its "hardware" is heavier.   I have built a lot of rainshadow blanks into rods and never had a failure and never had to return one due to a defect. 

I did use K series alconites on that Eternity and winn grips so there definitely is more weight there. I also put epoxy from one end of the thread to the other with epoxy covering the blank between both guide feet. 
The Eternity ETEC72 Mh has a softer tip than the Expride so its definitely not more powerful.

Rainshadow was my primary blank company for years. I have built on their fly blanks, several surf blanks RS, SUR, and Su, RX6, RX7, RX8, Xps, Immortal inshore, immortal bass, and on 3 different Eternitys (total of 6 rods).  Of those 6 3 broke. They make good blanks. I enjoy fishing them. I hate trying to deal with them on warranty issues.

11 hours ago, Huckfinn38 said:

The Eternity ETEC72 Mh has a softer tip than the Expride so its definitely not more powerful.

The faster the action, for the same overall power, the softer the tip.  Just a soft tip does not necessarily define the power of the rod.  You can only tell what you really have for power and action by measuring them.  (CCS)

6 hours ago, MickD said:

The faster the action, for the same overall power, the softer the tip.  Just a soft tip does not necessarily define the power of the rod.  You can only tell what you really have for power and action by measuring them.  (CCS)

Agreed on the tip not meaning more power. Btw testing scientifically with Ccs is a lot of work. I would also guess me trimming 1.5 inches off the butt of the eternity would affect ccs?

Have you done the ccs on that eternity blank?  Is it close to moderate fast by chance?

18 hours ago, Huckfinn38 said:

Agreed on the tip not meaning more power. Btw testing scientifically with Ccs is a lot of work. I would also guess me trimming 1.5 inches off the butt of the eternity would affect ccs?

Have you done the ccs on that eternity blank?  Is it close to moderate fast by chance?

I have not tested that Eternity on CCS, only a 7-2 medium power spin blank.  The numbers for the Eternities are available-I'm not sure I have them on this computer, but I'll find them for you.  Cutting 1.5 off the butt theoretically will lower power and make the action slower, but I'm not sure it's actually enough to find.  I tested an UL spin blank at 7 feet and 6 feet and the power went significantly down and the action changed 2 degrees, not a lot.  

 

CCS can be done without that big 4 x 8  board by adapting a device to hold the butt to a vice for the anchor, then measuring from the floor for the two measurements.  The AA can be easily measured with a level app on a cell phone.