Edge Black Widow

[j bab]

Anybody used one of the Black Widow rods? I found an old thread about them, but it was before they came out. I can't seem to find any reviews online.

[Goose52]

Tackle Tour reviewed the Edge 705-1 Black Widow.

Based on that review, I ordered the 705-1 from Tackle Warehouse in May 2015. When the rod arrived, I discovered that the current production rod did NOT match the configuration of the rod tested by TT. Edge had discontinued the spiral wrap guides at some point after the TT review, and had also changed the blank material on the 705-1 from their best quality HM material to IM material. I contacted Edge and, to their credit, they offered to make it right. I returned the rod directly to them and they built me a spiral wrap rod on an HM blank - all it cost me was shipping to them.

Just be aware that the Edge web site, and the TT web site, may not correctly describe the current features on the rods. For instance, both TT, and the Edge main page, STILL specify that the Black Widow rods are made on the HM blank...BUT, when you go to the specific web page for the 705-1, they DO specify IM blanks on that page. 

Edge Rods still seems to be somewhat of a cottage operation with changes made on the fly with no updating of marketing material.

NOW, once I received the rod, it performs just as the TT article described it. The balance is excellent and every time I pick it up, the tip ends up pointed up in the air - it actually feels tip-light. You get that from the heavier handle design but I don't mind the extra weight back there. On sensitivity (always a subjective thing) I believe it's NRX-class, or perhaps a bit better - perhaps attributed to the balance.

So, an excellent rod as finally built for me from Edge....but as many will point out, you could have a very nice rod custom built for you on that same HM blank for less $$$ and know what you are getting. You would NOT get the nifty "Weibe-type" carbon-fiber reel seat/handle however.

FWIW

[j bab]

@Goose52 Thanks for the info, that's really helpful. I didn't see that TT review when I searched earlier, I only found the Edge flippin stick review, so thanks for linking that. So is the IM blank inferior to the HM? I honestly am glad that they did away with the spiral-wrap, I really like that idea largely because I don't like the idea of setting the rod down on a hard surface and having the tip top upside down, if that makes sense. Good to know it is NRX-class sensitivity. I will keep your comments in mind when deciding on what to do. I have a least a couple more weeks worth of saving to do before I make any final decisions. Thanks again.

[Airman4754]

Either buy an NFC blank and have someone do a custom job for you or buy a Power Tackle which uses NFC blanks. Those are/were the real Loomis blanks. 

From my personal experience NFC > NRX by a considerable margin. 

[j bab]

22 minutes ago, Mosster47 said:

Either buy an NFC blank and have someone do a custom job for you or buy a Power Tackle which uses NFC blanks. Those are/were the real Loomis blanks. 

From my personal experience NFC > NRX by a considerable margin. 

But Edge is an offshoot of NFC...?

Also @Goose52, now I see on NFC's website where they list the HM as $70 higher than IM for the blank. Interesting that they wouldn't use their highest quality blank on a $550 rod...

[EvanT123]

Hate to be a downer but you missed a great opportunity about a month ago. NFC had their blanks 50% off. The finished rods look nice but I'd be looking at a custom for those prices. 

[j bab]

37 minutes ago, EvanT123 said:

Hate to be a downer but you missed a great opportunity about a month ago. NFC had their blanks 50% off. The finished rods look nice but I'd be looking at a custom for those prices. 

Wow, that's quite a deal! I'll have to watch for that from now on...

[j bab]

Also @EvanT123 are there any custom builders who have carbon fiber handles? 

[EvanT123]

4 minutes ago, j bab said:

Also @EvanT123 are there any custom builders who have carbon fiber handles? 

I don't know about edge but most "carbon fiber" handles are not carbon fiber.  They are a type of foam urethane with a carbon fiber skin over the urethane material. 

There are quite a few rod builders that can make that type of grip. 

[Goose52]

7 hours ago, j bab said:

Also @Goose52, now I see on NFC's website where they list the HM as $70 higher than IM for the blank. Interesting that they wouldn't use their highest quality blank on a $550 rod...

My email traffic with Edge regarding my rod exchange was with Collins Illich (President, Edge Rods). He told me, and told at least one other person on TT that had the same situation as me, that: "Gary [Loomis] doesn't like using HM for that application [the 705-1]."  So, I don't know if IM is used ONLY on the 705-1 (7' MH-XF) and HM on all other Black Widow-series rods or what the situation is.

For me, I've "been there and done that" with Edge rods and won't be getting any more.

Regarding this Edge rod vs. NRX, I will say this - the Edge 705-1 Black Widow has that very versatile Mag Bass taper that Loomis made famous. Essentially the same taper as the (Shimano) Loomis MBRs.  After I got the Edge 705-1, my NRX MBR843C all of a sudden started spending a lot of time gathering dust in the rod rack - instead of being in the boat. OTOH, the 705-1 is in the boat every time I go out. The Edge is a very nice, versatile, uber-sensitive rod...

[iabass8]

7 hours ago, j bab said:

But Edge is an offshoot of NFC...?

 

No.

edge is a rod company that uses nfc blanks. 

[j bab]

29 minutes ago, iabass8 said:

No.

edge is a rod company that uses nfc blanks. 

Either way, that's my point. They use NFC blanks...

[sprint61]

Kistler also uses nfc blanks. 

[timsford]

Yes Kistler and power tackle both use nfc blanks, but edge rods and nfc are both owned by gary loomis. Although also I'd rather have a custom built for that kind of money.  Custom builders can build about any handle you want, but I don't know about that reelseat. I've heard the weibe seats are hard to find. I guess it just depends on how much that seat matters to you

[sprint61]

34 minutes ago, timsford said:

Yes Kistler and power tackle both use nfc blanks, but edge rods and nfc are both owned by gary loomis. Although also I'd rather have a custom built for that kind of money.  Custom builders can build about any handle you want, but I don't know about that reelseat. I've heard the weibe seats are hard to find. I guess it just depends on how much that seat matters to you

Yea your exactly right. For that kind of I agree I would probably go custom, but any rod associated with Gary Loomis is a win IMO.

[kickerfish1]

17 hours ago, j bab said:

@Goose52 Thanks for the info, that's really helpful. I didn't see that TT review when I searched earlier, I only found the Edge flippin stick review, so thanks for linking that. So is the IM blank inferior to the HM? I honestly am glad that they did away with the spiral-wrap, I really like that idea largely because I don't like the idea of setting the rod down on a hard surface and having the tip top upside down, if that makes sense. Good to know it is NRX-class sensitivity. I will keep your comments in mind when deciding on what to do. I have a least a couple more weeks worth of saving to do before I make any final decisions. Thanks again.

So to answer your question IM=Intermediate modulus and HM=High Modulus.

[j bab]

On 9/5/2016 at 5:15 AM, Goose52 said:

My email traffic with Edge regarding my rod exchange was with Collins Illich (President, Edge Rods). He told me, and told at least one other person on TT that had the same situation as me, that: "Gary [Loomis] doesn't like using HM for that application [the 705-1]."  So, I don't know if IM is used ONLY on the 705-1 (7' MH-XF) and HM on all other Black Widow-series rods or what the situation is.

For me, I've "been there and done that" with Edge rods and won't be getting any more.

Regarding this Edge rod vs. NRX, I will say this - the Edge 705-1 Black Widow has that very versatile Mag Bass taper that Loomis made famous. Essentially the same taper as the (Shimano) Loomis MBRs.  After I got the Edge 705-1, my NRX MBR843C all of a sudden started spending a lot of time gathering dust in the rod rack - instead of being in the boat. OTOH, the 705-1 is in the boat every time I go out. The Edge is a very nice, versatile, uber-sensitive rod...

I found out some more info on these rods...

the 705 IS the only black widow with IM instead of HM.

the 705 is NOT the same taper that it was when tackle tour reviewed it, it is now stiffer and rated 8-20lb line, per TFO.

the 2017 versions of the Black Widow rods will be 3" longer, so 7'3" now, but apparently the line ratings will be the same.

In conclusion, I'll probably end up with a 704 model by the end of the year, I'm deciding whether to order the 7' now or the 7'3" later

[Goose52]

More changes, eh !

My rod is rated at 8-16lb line and it works well with the 14lb flouro that I run on it.  The TT article quoted the same 8-16lb rating in their data table but quoted 8-14lb in the text of the article so I don't know which is actually correct for the tested rod.

Anyway - good luck in your decision !

[MardukFIN]

Hi! Old thread, but i'll reply still.

 

I've built several NFC MB 705-1 HM's. It's absolutely amazing blank. Sold my NRX, when got 1st 705.

 

I've done it with carbon grips also. Here's latest.