Sanded vs. Unsanded

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (fishthebow) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:40:12 PST

in graphite, I definitely prefer unsanded cause I havent broken one yet. I have an old orvis and an old hardy unsanded from the 80s and they are the only graphite rods I like. In glass, I dont think there is as much chance of breaking a sanded blank so maybe I prefer sanded, eg fenwick

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (Mojorizing) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:35:51 PST

I must be AC/DC because I like the looks of both sanded and unsanded. Depends on the rod.

I like my Steffan , I like my McFarlands .

I like my Orvis One Ounce and I like my T.L. Johnson 4w.

I like cork grips and rattan wound grips.

I like beer, I like whiskey.

I like rock & roll and I like jazz.

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (wb4tjh) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:20:30 PST

Orvis did not sand any of its graphite blanks until sometime in the 1990s. because they felt it weakened the shaft by cutting the outside layer of graphite or glass fibers. It always made sense to me. I don't know if they finally gave into sanding because of new manufacturing methods, or because of cosmetics, but I would be it was due to the cosmetics of their competition.

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (Handsel) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:50:57 PST

I prefer the look of an unsanded blank.

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (whrlpool) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:11:42 PST

Either or both= no preference, which might be a good third category of response. The theory behind unsanded blanks sure makes sense, and was revived and promoted for a while in the early graphite days, the remant spiral scrim at the very least suggesting a strength reserve at a time when the term "hoop strength" (or lack of it) was a concern in breakage of graphite rods. It made sense then and it makes sense now and they look just fine, also. Just for cosmetics, unsanded can be a neat "signature" trait of a given blank, but I don't look at my fly rods much, especially when fishing, to think about that. That said, I don't think it matters, at least with 'glass of mid-70's manufacture onward, or with graphite, for that matter. Refinements in technology have eliminated whatever advantage, if any as a practical matter, was provided by unsanded blanks. Afterall, it's hard to argue with the success of many fine 'glass blanks from way-back-when...

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (gypsy) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:51:15 PST

I was under the impression that most blank manufactures use computer controlled sanders nowadays; sanding the blank within ten thousandths of an inch and eliminating the human factor?

Personally I have no preference. Visually they both look nice to me- sanded blanks are easier to wrap.

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (Duff) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:21:47 PST

Add Mario Wojnicki to the list, LeoCreek. You can't beat unsanded and translucent IMO.

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (LeoCreek) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:37:08 PST

Those are great points from Dennis Franke, Mark Steffen and Larry Kenney about why they don't care for sanding blanks.

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (jgestar) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:21:45 PST

Larry Kenney is a big proponent of unsanded blanks. His argument is sanded blanks are much more variable than unsanded, no matter how talented the person operating the sanding machine. Larry has been there, designed them, tested them, built them, and seen them come back for new guides. His opinion is much more valid than mine.

Tom

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (frogmorton) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:07:56 PST

Steffen once told me sanding could cause imperfections in the taper. I know he used to offer glass rods that were sanded and painted but not anymore.

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (LeoCreek) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:03:40 PST

Nothing wrong at all with sanded blanks, and there are some beautiful sanded coated blanks out there...but given the choice, make mine unsanded.

You know what I would like to see is a somewhat affordable unsanded glass blank series in kind of a Winston green shade. I've never owned a Winston of any kind, but the green color from their IM6/WT graphite rods is nice looking, and would be a standout color in an unsanded glass blank in my opinion. Being unsanded, it wouldn't be accused of trying to "look like graphite".

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (Line Guard) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:42:21 PST

Any truth to the belief that unsanded blanks are stronger? Intuitively, it makes sense. I know Dennis Franke of Glastech was a proponent of unsanded blanks for just that reason. Yes, I have a old graphite Orvis Rocky Mountain model which was unsanded, as is my Scott F703/3. Somehow, fishing an unsanded rod promotes a feeling of "security." No, they're not as shiny, but they have their own rugged appeal.

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (taniwha2) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:35:32 PST

Probably sanded but I have a much stronger preference for translucent over painted

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (oldduckhunter) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:08:22 PST

My old Scott G804 was the most beautiful fishing instrument I ever owned. Not gaudy, shiny, painted - just right.
John

Re: Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (keebranch) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 08:32:43 PST

Although I don't always have choice by way of rod make, I like the look of the unsanded blank. Some of my older Orvis graphite rods were made this way. Older Wonderods I think were made this way too. I don't know if they ever changed to sanding them.

Les

Sanded vs. Unsanded

feeds@kickapps.com (fingernail) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 08:16:47 PST

For some reason I love the look of unsanded glass and graphite, which do you prefer?