Rod Blanks

[Gtownfly]

Last winter I made my first rod using a Loomis blank that I got on the cheap. I'm getting the itch again and want to try a blank from someone other than one of the typcial prefab manufacturers (Sage, Loomis, TFO, etc), but am wondering how you go about testing a blank for "feel". The reason being that it would be great to fall in love with a manufacturer whose blanks are $75 rather than $300.

Not to cut anyone off, but I'm not looking for input like, "I love my Gatti" or "My Rainshadow is too slow." My question is more about how and where can you test different blanks like Lamiglass, Rainshadow, etc. (if you can at all). Or do you simply have to rely on a given manufacturer's description of action?

Thanks in advance,

Kevin

[lowwall]

Not many places that sell blanks locally, especially Fly Rods.

In Carver, Ma
http://rodbuildersworkshop.com/rodbuild.html

In Leicester, Ma
http://www.cotesflyshop.biz/

[mer]

Or go here. Search around for stuff about Common Cents System (CCS). Read what it's about, understand what the data means. There are people who have and are compiling lists of data for different blanks. The guys from GreatBay that post here may also be able to help you out (understanding the measurements, what exactly it means, maybe even letting you check out blanks),


http://www.rodbuilding.org/list.php?2

[Gtownfly]

Fellas:

Thanks for the websites. I'll check 'em out.

[lowwall]

I did not realize that Bears Den sold rodbuilding stuff. Good selection to.

http://bearsden.com/page230.html

[GreatBay]

Kevin,
Even if you could "wiggle" the blanks you're not going to learn anything from the wiggle.
Mer is correct that the CCS system is probably the best to decipher the feel of a blank and how well it casts.
I suggest you look at this site that lists blanks and rod-builders comments on rods that were built from the blanks, as well as the CCS measurements themselves.

Wealth of info on both blanks and fly rods

http://www.superbob.org/CC_Data.htm

You need help with the decoding feel free to pick up the phone and give me a ring.