I am planning to build a fly rod for an old friend. I have narrowed the choices down to a Pac Bay Quickline, Batson Eternity 2, and Batson Revelation. I have built on the Pac Bay Quickline and really liked the feel of the rod. I recognize that the term feel is an ephemeral one but I know it when I cast the rod. I have looked up the specs (Butt diameters, Tip Top diameters, weight, and stated action ) for each of these blanks. None of this data is sufficient for me to determine which blank I should use for my friend. I have the eternity2, blank but haven't built on it yet. I have the specs my friend would like for a custom rod. What I would like to know is if any of you have built on Revelation and/or Eternity2 blanks? Since these three blanks all have almost identical specs, and are all rated fast action,are they all equally fast action or is there a significant difference among the three? Thank you for any help you can offer.
Mike Blomme

Michael,
Fast is a relative term - that will be similar between manufacturers and various blanks in a line. But, generally the taper on different models and brands of "fast" action rods is seldom exactly the same.

So, to be sure that you are getting what you want, it is better to touch, feel and flex the actual blank on which you wish to build.

Be safe

I built a 7'9" 4wt Revelation for myself last year. I didn't like it at first, but when I put a Rio LT Trout fly line on it, everything changed. Prior to the line change, I would have said I loved playing fish on it, but not casting it. Now, with a line that loads it better (and faster), the rod has become my go-to rod for small rivers and fish in the 12-18 inch class. The lightness and response is a delight and the precision is amazing. I can cast across the river and drop a dry on the edge of a log so that it falls off right where I want it to. I do find that with the fast action, I have to be on my game with the hook set when I'm nymphing, because the fast action means the fish doesn't hook itself. But I'd certainly build on this blank again, and would recommend it to others, with the caveat that you have to pair it with the right line.

Have you tried going a line weight higher It may just be what it needs

Bill - willierods.com

What weight are you building? Eternity2 are really good blanks. The six weight is really sweet. I have tried five,six and seven weight and they are all nice. they are fast but not extremely fast. I think they hold their aftm class well, but one like gpx seems yo be the best, but they are able to handle lower weight or heavier fly lines. I think they are the best among the blanks you have mentioned, but none the others are bad choices.

If you employ the CCS AA number, you'll have more than enough resolution to determine which of the three is the fastest action.

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The difference between a fast action 3wt and a fast action 7wt. blank of different makes can be considerable. The difference in action between a 7wt. and a 9wt. TFO blank is remarkable. Practical form follows function. Will this rod be used to cast #22 midges 35' or to cast 2/0 streamers 85' in the wind?

I find that two rods with identical CCS AA numbers will "feel" completely different. I use the CCS CCF number to give me a really good indication of if I will like the "feel" with a given line weight.
Unfortunately, CCF is less reported than ERN and AA.

An example is my build of a Mudhole MHx 10' 4wt measures at CCF=80 with a 4wt lineThis is too responsive (i.e. feels fast) for my slower casting style.
Using a 5wt line it measures 76, which is perfect for me. It also helps that it has an ERN of 5.55 so it has enough power to throw a 5wt.

I have not measured the blanks you list.

Identical AA and ERN figures are no guarantee of similar "feel" in a rod and this has been thoroughly covered in the CCS articles we've done. Two rods made from different materials but with similar ERN abd AA figures will indeed possess the same power and action, but not necessarily the same speed. And speed is a major, if not the major player in how a rod "feels."

It is the CCF, as Rick mentions, that you need to work with if you're looking for rods with similar feel, reaction, recovery, etc.

...............

I second Tom CCF is a major data, maybe the most important data.

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Eric
[www.emfishing.fr]