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Maybe the questions/answers are more difficult if it is contemplated to buy the rod sight unseen. That narrows it to common models of proven popularity and reasonable consistency over many years--such as the Fenwick. True enough, though, the Fenwick was an asipirational, step-up line in pricing of the time, and "blue collar" would be less expensive as found at Sears, Wards, hardware stores and so on. There were many brands, although fewer makes.

Anyhow, to get a good typical "blue collar" rod, (some surprisingly good,) a person looked and looked and looked. You never knew which make to count on, as one model would be good, but not the length you wanted, and another model might be the right length but so sloppy in action you wouldn't want it. A little in-store flexing was often enough. Apart from the "action" and overall feel, you could see if the tip traveled in a straight line or an ellipse (as many did, but another rod of identical make might not), if there were dead spots in the action, and especially how well it dampened after an abrupt stop. So it's hard to just name one if someone isn't going to handle it before purchase.

I got a great Montague 8' rod that way for like $6 when I was a kid, and it remained a favorite through two sets of guides and 40 years of bass and panfishing until it was stolen. But I wouldn't suggest that a Montague was the blue collar best, since that was one of many I checked out.
Berkely had some good ones, too, priced in the starter range. I got my brother a 7 1/2' Buccaneer long ago in the same way--after checking dozens and dozens of rods. He still has it.

A guy oughta go prowling junk shops and yard sales looking for the barrels sprouting fly rods. Pick it up and check it out. There probably won't be a good one there--there really werent that many on the new rack at the country store 40 years ago-- but there might be.

Of those named, the Cortlands fit well. Cortland marketed across a wide range of price brackets, including "blue collar" or "entry level." Shakespeare, too, although they have a distinct feel, often ponderous, so each model needs to be checked out.