Hey Craig , good points . Can I incorporate your post in my article?

--
Dave Norton
Millennium Rods
"Craig" wrote in message
...
Dave Norton wrote: "So let's get back to Rod-Action. Rod action is more
closely related to fishing technique. Remember the terms, Extra-fast,
Fast,
Moderate and Slow? These terms relate to the amount of time required for a
blank to reach maximum load."

Or in plain english, the amount of time it takes a blank to go from a
fully
loaded (bowed) position to being straight again.

Dave wrote: "What about the terms HMG, IM, and HS. These terms refer to
the
graphite material used in the blanks.HMG= High Modulus Graphite is used to
create today's extremely sensitive blanks. It is more densely woven, and
therefore requires less material. However, since less material is used the
blank walls are thinner. Hence the blanks are somewhat more fragile. IM=
Intermediate Modulus Graphite- the mainstay of most blanks- IM can range
from 36 million modulus all the way up to 54 million modulus. Modulus
refers
to the elasticity of the fibers. The higher the modulus the less elastic
it
is. HS=High Strength Graphite. This fiber is used in conjunction with the
other two; to add strength to the blanks."

This is a very complicated subject, and it is quite difficult to try and
simplify in one paragraph. Dave has done a good job, but please
understand
that, what we refer to as graphite, has two measures: Modulus -
stiffness/elasticity, and Strain Rate - Tensile/Strength. Know that as
modulus goes up, strain rate decreases. IM materials 45 million or less
has
a high enough strain rate that you need not worry. However, any materials
with a modulus higher than 48-million requires something to boost the
strain
rate. There are numerous ways in which the strain rate can be boosted,
but
all add a great deal of cost (mostly in R&D) to the rod. The reason high
end rods cost so much. So great caution needs to be employed when buying
a
High Modulus Rod. The words HIGH STRAIN needs to also be present. If it
is
not, you could have a VERY SENSITIVE, VERY BRITTLE rod. Stiffness without
strength IS NOT a very good thing. The reason why people who buy cheap
High
Modulus Rods buy more rods more often, or get frustrated and go back to
cheaper multi-blend rods and bad mouth high modulus rods.

Dave is right on when he says a rod craftsman can change a rod's natural
action, both for the good as well as the bad. The reason you need to only
use one with that has a well-known reputation.

Just adding my $.02

--
Craig Baugher