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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 to now that were sanded. So sanded or unsanded would not be a factor at all to me in selecting a rod. I guess in the 'glass heyday most were sanded and finished. Probably that prevails in modern 'glass also, but I don't pay enough attention to contemporary fly tackle to know, so it would be interesting to see how it stacks up today.