A Note for the Folks at Tackle Tour
Sometimes while I’m at my desk wolfing down my lunch, I’ll pull up a couple forums and see what the latest is. Today I happened to find some confusion that I’d like to clear up. A poster on a well known board was questioning the origin of the Z-Bone blanks. So, I grabbed my camera and walked to the shop floor.
This is Steve. Steve is stress testing our last batch of Z-Bones. I think this is the 4MH in HM. Please do not try and duplicate this in your fishing as Steve knows exactly how much pressure and angle the rod should take. In the background is Brad who is sanding the 3MH in HM. I took a shot of the pattern, but it was too clear so I can’t post it. Here is a picture of some of Trey’s blanks that are ready for final inspection before they are shipped. The white folded paper is what we call the traveler, it’s the pattern, or the recipe for building that blank.
So, if you ever have any questions about the origin of any blanks, just drop us a note. While some of our customers are secretive and we respect that, the majority of them want you to know that they are using blanks made in Gary’s shop, right here in Woodland, Washington.
Well isn’t that cute !
Why is it that Trey Kistler can get a 7′ & 7′6″ HM blanks but the main distributors only get 1 HM blank, the 6′6″ ?
Is Kistler the NFC “boy” or does Gary not care about all the other rod builders that have to get their blanks from the distributors ?
The first and BEST builder on the ARB list should be able to get blanks at the same time as Kistler.
Oh well, I;m looking forward to receiving my first custom (that I’ve been waiting on since Sept ‘09) on an HM blank but no matter how sweet it will be my last, at least with a Daiwa Steez I know what to expect.
Probably because Trey ordered more than a couple of them and I would suspect had a hand in the development. If you want a 7′ & 7′6″ HM blank just like Trey Kistler has, sounds like you’re going to have to buy one of his rods. It wouldn’t be fair to Trey to sell his rod blanks to everybody.
Think about it, who moves more rod blanks: Kister or Mudhole? The economy of scale is going to dictate who gets the attention.
With the Steez you get a $500 rod made in Taiwan. Not saying the Taiwanese can’t make a quality product, but its just another imported mass produced rod sold on a high mark-up.
A custom rod is a significant advancement over a factory-built rod. I hope you sprang for all top-shelf component (Ti-SiC and AAAA cork) because it will be worth it.
Hi guys,
This is a good discussion, and one I should have put up long ago. I hope to have a separate blog post on this issue, as well as explain our design process.
Jon
First of all, not all Steez rods are made in Taiwan. The compile-x versions are made in Japan. I agree with others, that waiting on the HM series blanks has made me look at other manufacturers. Any ETA as to when the 7′ Heavy HM series blank will be available?
You know there are 3 kinds of rod builder the first one is the builder who wants to make a 400.00 dollar rod with 50.00 dollars. Second one is a builder who has limited funds and wants to build the best rod for his bucks. then there is the true custom rod builder who wants the best goods on the market. Oh yes then we have the window shopper. This guy buys and shops all over but he forgot one thing shipping and handling is a killer. What category do you fall in. I am fortunate I live in WWA and I buy form two local suppliers that can fill my needs even if they do not carry the product. If I have a problem with a product I meet with him eye ball to eye ball. If we can not find a simple solution I go to the manufacture for the answer. Which is usually operator error (ME!).
He if you like email me at balcomberod@aol.com I hope to see you guys a the rod get to gather in Woodland, this April 8
Good Wraps Bob