Hey guys so I wanted to get yalls opinion on the Point Blank blanks. How sensitive are they? How durable are they? Normal things like that. Thanks!

Cameron,

I have only built one for a client. When the blank arrived I was impressed with the quality of the blank...perfectly straight. The blank was a Point Blank PB701MHF and the client loves it.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

Cool thanks! Any others?

You will find they are light and straight, sensitivity is not on par with SCV from St. Croix nor that of HM from Northfork. Their ratings and spes are NOT accurate. They are aware of the issue and are in the process of addressing it. The blank I have had issue with was the PB731MHF. I have spoken with the company regarding the issue. Other than the fact of not being sure what you are getting they are a nice blank.

What part of the specs on the PB731MHF were not accurate?

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They have been changed. It was a lure weight range issue. Info on the web site pointblankrods.com is up to date. Printed boo boos will endure. Within a given weight range we would put Point Blank sensitivity up against any other blank. We had the 731MH rated 1/4 oz too high and it perhaps gave Thomas the wrong impression. We fixed the information and have had no issues with other models.

I've built two 691 med XFast as casting rods for my son, who simply loves them. I have no data on sensitivity (who does, other than their hand?) but expect a casting rod that weighs 3.44 oz will be pretty sensitive (Winn grips, no foregrip, titanium Fugi guides, the RV first guide, reversed as directed :-), The reason for building an X Fast casting rod was to be able to get the very aggressive twitch on Lake St Clair smallmouths on hard jerks. You just cannot get the winning twitch with a traditional crankbait action.

I will have one myself someday soon.

One minor thing I like about Point Blank, like the Rainshadow Immortals, you can use just about any color thread on them and they look great

I own three St Croix V rods that I made for myself, and just recently made a point blank rod PB701MF. When I compared this Point Blank rod to my SCV C701MF I found they are very similar to each other as far as weight, action, feel and sensitivity. Both are great rods. The SCV is a painted blank and the PB is not. I prefer the unpainted finish and the untapered butt section of the PB. The SCV is about $30 more expensive, if cost is an issue. I do not think you can go wrong with either. I have built on NFC composite blanks, but do not own one. They are also extremely nice blanks but the HM is very expensive; not really convinced they are worth the extra money. Have not built on the Rainshadow Eternity2, but have heard they are nice blanks and are similar in price to the PB, but their selection is rather limited.
Norm

Tom,
Line weight as indicated on the stickers for the blanks do not match up with the catalog or the website and as Jim stated the lure weight was incorrect. They have it listed as 1.0oz.... Not so, I was later informed that it was only 3/4 oz as Jim has stated. Unfortunately the blank that I got was not going to work for what I had intended it to be used for. I will say that it does make a nice rod for skipping finesse jigs under docks though. The tips of the two blanks that I have are consistent, but not consistent with what I have found to be online ( I completely understand this can be generated at the retailers end)

Stickers state line weight as 8-14lb mono, catalog says 12-20lb test... NOT even close. They do have the braid ratings correct.

Jim, Yes errors do occur and I understand that.

Norman, I am not saying it is not a nice blank it is. I am not concerned with the cost of the blank and those that you have referenced are all close enough in my book that it's not an issue to me. Yes the HM is more money, but it is also better for me and what I do with them. I do have an eternity that I am currently building up so that I have first hand knowledge of the product.

No, I don't have a beef with Point Blank nor personal agenda that I am trying to vent. I am simply sharing what I have found incorrect with the blanks.

I will say it again for those who may have skipped past it, they are wonderfully light, straight and yes they are sensitive (just not as sensitive in my hands as others that I own)

Hope, I haven't rubbed any feathers the wrong way

Tom

I was wondering if it was the actual tip and butt diameters, as these things sometimes get mis-bagged or are a little off from the maker's target specs. When they're way off it's usually a mis-bagging issue. Other "specs" such as "medium-heavy" and that sort of thing are subjective to begin with and can't really be considered right or wrong. One man's MHF is another man's LHM.

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All good here Thomas. You actually pointed out something we needed to take a second look at and when we did we made a change. Glad you (and so many others) like the blank. We have some very exciting news coming in the August issue (actually, it's probably the Sept issue) of RodMaker, stay tuned.

Jim,

Not sure if you are aware of this, but I cannot access the specs page on the website. I have tried Firefox, Windows, I pads, I phones all with zero luck. Hope you can get it back up soon.

Tom

I was just there this AM, no problem, so the problem may not be at the AR end.

i could not access the specs on the PB site either,

here is the url it takes you to
[pointblankrods.com]

There is no September issue so let's hope it's August...


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Thomas, all is OK here. I was not directly replying to your comments I was trying to give Cameron my opinion on the Point Blank and some other high end blanks with which I am familiar. If you took it otherwise I apologise. I respect your opinion, and understand your beef with the labeling issue. I try hard not to knock anyone's opinion because people know what they like and dislike and are entitled to their opinions. This is the major reason people build custom rods. For a lot of people cost is an issue, and higher cost does not alway mean a better product, and this is what I was trying to point out to Cameron. We are all looking for the best bang for the buck.
Norm

Norman, I took nothing personally, all is well here. I hope it didn't appear that I was offended as I was certainly not and hope that I didn't come across that I was. I too respect your opinion and it is always nice to hear what others have to say about products and to gain another perspective. Bang for the buck is always very important!!!

Take care,
Tom

Thanks Thomas...working on it.