Point Blank review

[Angry John]

So as with many new things i have yet to see many reviews of the new "point blanks".  This is the same experience i had with MHX.  They are supposed to have a different kind of taper which is unique to that brand.  I fish a ton of st croix, regular and custom builds on there blanks.  First looking on any information or feedback on the brand, and second a comparison to any other major brand.  I am most familiar with croix and dobyns.  I am looking at the XXHMF for the purpose of 10xd's umbrella rigs, and small swimbaits like mattlures hard gills.  Also interested about any huddelston fish caught on this blank...

Edited December 3, 2017 by Angry John

[S Hovanec]

Third hand info here, but I've been told by one supplier that their customers that have bought them say they are underpowered for their ratings.  I'm on the fence about trying one.  I found the perfect DS rod for me, so I guess I'm just looking for something else to do! Lol

[spoonplugger1]

I've used and built a few, they are larger diameter blanks by today's standards and they have no taper to speak of in the area where you put your grips and reelseat. Being made with a larger diameter blank they get a stiffer rod out of the same amount of graphite and therefore the same amount of weight and I find them to be a bit better balanced and livelier in the hand when built with the same components as other blanks, I think this has to do with the blank diameter also, all the components in the grip are naturally lighter.

Since power and line/lure weight have no accepted standard I don't know how to comment on that, other than to say, I've had no problem with them and they are excellent casting blanks in accuracy, and distance, especially distance.

[Lyman X]

Do a search on rodbuilding .org

[MickD]

I have built two into casting rods for my son, and have one in now that I have not yet started.  In my opinion, their power is stated correctly, and they are very sensitive blanks that build into very light rods for the power rating.  If you can find a past Anglers Resource catalog, they had objective power ratings listed.  I believe that builders gave them so much crap about not agreeing with their ratings that they stopped listing the objective numbers.  Their numbers and mine agree quite closely.  Builders whine about not being able to get objective numbers, and when a blank maker provides them, the builders give the maker so much crap that the builder withdraws them.  In my opinion, Point Blanks are in the same class as other top of the line blank/rod makers, like Rainshadow Eternity.  

[Angry John]

2 hours ago, Lyman X said:

Do a search on rodbuilding .org

Have an account there also, figured I might get some non member info

[.ghoti.]

Mick, if memory serves the problem with their "objective" numbers came because they did not use the CCS procedure. They used a different system, of their own devising, making comparison to other CCS measured blank meaningless. They got a lot of flack for that, and rightly so.

 

I have a Point Blank in my rod rack, waiting for me to find time to build for myself, so I cant say much about it, other than it looks good, is very straight, and feels very crisp in hand. I dont have my CCS setup finished yet, so I have no numbers, but initial flexing suggests it has a pretty quick taper. Looking forward to fishing with it.

 

I've accumulated a few bargain blanks for myself over the course of the past year. In addition to the Point Blank, I have an SCV, two NFC blanks, a Pac Bay Quickline, a K2, and a Gen2 hi mod MHX. Also got a new compound miter saw to up my cork game, and two new chucks, some drill bits, and carbide turning tools to incorporate hardwoods and acrylics into my handles.

 

Gonna be a winter of experimentation for me.

[MickD]

I am interested in your response to the Quickline when you get it built. I've done fly blanks, like them, but no other Quicklines.

 

You are right about the Anglers Resource power/action numbers. I'll have to look at my old catalog but I don't think they gave an action angle, right?  But they did their power measurement at 30 % instead of 33 % of blank length.  Their XF actions are in the range of 78 degrees AA, if I remember right.  I came up with a conversion to get their power  number to correlate with CCS.  One catalog had actual CCS numbers, then they took them out.  If you need their numbers, or a conversion for their numbers to CCS, e-mail me and I'll hunt them up.

On 12/2/2017 at 9:27 PM, S Hovanec said:

 I'm on the fence about trying one.  I found the perfect DS rod for me, so I guess I'm just looking for something else to do! Lol

I suggest you do build one.  You are a respected builder, and I, for one, would like to hear your evaluation of one.  AND, no one can have too many rods.

[Angry John]

They have CCS numbers on there site now.  Seems good....

[S Hovanec]

5 hours ago, MickD said:

  You are a respected builder, and I, for one, would like to hear your evaluation of one.  AND, no one can have too many rods.

Thank you.  I guess I always do preach that one can never have too many DS rods!

13 hours ago, .ghoti. said:

 Also got a new compound miter saw to up my cork game, .

That's where it all started for me with the cork.  I had the saw, just never thought of using it for rod building.  Then I saw an elliptical inlay someone did, then the cork blocks and strips became available.  Now I rarely use the miter saw except to hack the handles off of NRX's!  Everything gets cut on the band saw.

[.ghoti.]

Scott, I don't have room for a band saw in my tiny shop, so a miter saw has to do. I have some cork blocks and strips, and a selection of knife handle liner pieces to experiment with. Also found a source for 1/8" thick exotic hardwoods. Havent ordered any of that just yet.

[S Hovanec]

2 hours ago, .ghoti. said:

Scott, I don't have room for a band saw in my tiny shop.

 

Grizzly now has a tabletop model with some features of the bigger ones!  

[MickD]

On 12/4/2017 at 9:19 AM, .ghoti. said:

so I have no numbers,

What is the model number?

[MickD]

17 hours ago, Angry John said:

They have CCS numbers on there site now.  Seems good....

Can you post the exact site address for this?  I just went to PointBlank.com and there are no power numbers there.  You may have found the old site that had the numbers, since replaced by a new site without.

[Angry John]

http://pointblankrods.com/product/

I looked at the xxhmf blank.  Have not verified all have the data.

[.ghoti.]

10 hours ago, MickD said:

What is the model number?

PB701MF

[MickD]

Length: 7 ft
Action Angle: F • 65-degrees (RDA) • 78-degrees (CCS)
Power: Med / 460gr (RDA) • ERN 23.1 (CCS)
Weight: 1.94oz.
Butt Dia: 14.31 mm
Tip Size: 1.73mm (5.0)
Lure Wt: 1/8 to 1/2oz
Sugg Line Wt: 8-14 mono
10-15lb braid

Data from the PointBlank.com site, only shows on the individual listings for the blanks.  Nice work Angry John for finding this.  If you have the conversion chart for ERN (Effective Rod Number) to CCS grams you can have the CCS power number.  The RDA numbers are grams to deflect the blank to 30% from horizontal instead of the CCS 33%.  Same process, different deflection.  since the deflection is less, the Action Angle will be less.  Based on my experience with Point Blanks the AA will be about 78 when deflected to 33%. (Just noticed, the data above say 78 for CCS) About the same as a  St Croix Legend 70MF.  I thought I had a good conversion for RDA to CCS power numbers, but not so sure now.  I think this blank may be a little under the power of a St Croix 70MF or just about the same.

 

I just noticed something on the catalog RDA data for the PB731MXF, 7 foot 3, medium power, extra fast action.  It is their only blank that they rate differently on their power data from their normal RDA process.  They give the grams to deflect the blank to tip angle 90 degrees, or vertical.  What this means is that the blank is so fast, with such a soft tip compared to the rest of the blank, that the tip goes vertical before the deflection reaches 30%.  It was the ONLY blank on their catalog listing that was evaluated that way.  This is not mentioned in the on-line data.  They call the AA 67 RDA and 82 CCS.  This is the blank I tested today and I was amazed how differently it reacted relative to any other blank I have ever tested.  I got an action angle of basically 90 degrees since I deflected it to 33%.  A St Croix Legend 70MF has an AA of about 78 degrees.  I was surprised at the CCS power number I got,  way above what I expected for a "medium power" blank (775 grams).  What this all means to fishing is that this blank will cast light lures because of its light tip and long length, but it loads very quickly with added force so that it will also cast quite heavy lures well.  It will handle very powerful fish well because its mid-section and butt are so powerful.  Very interesting indeed.  This is an entirely new animal to me. This is a VERY powerful rod with light tip.    I believe one might call it a 7 ' 3" "hotshot rod."

 

S Hovanec, if you want to try a Point Blank, try this one.  I'll bet it will be different from any other rod you have.

[MickD]

By the way, the other two Point Blanks I have made were PB 6' 9" medium power, XF action, built into casting rods for my son.  He loves them, and casts a very wide range of lure weights with them.  Here are the PB data:

PB691MXF

Length: 6 ft 9 inches
Action Angle: XF •67-degrees (RDA) • 76-degrees (CCS)
Power: Med / 440gr (RDA) • ERN 20.7 (CCS)
Weight: 1.76oz.
Butt Dia: 14.06 mm
Tip Size: 1.81mm (5.0)
Lure Wt: 1/8 to 5/8oz
Sugg Line Wt: 8-14 mono
10-15lb braid

Notice that the 76 degree AA is 6 degrees lower than the 7' 3" discussed above.  These rods did not go vertical when deflected to 33%, so have a more "traditional" action.  My son uses them for all kinds of lures, from light blades to pretty heavy spinnerbaits and cranks.  He uses FC line.

ONe thing I forgot to mention, the finish on the Point Blanks can be "smoothed out" by the rubber wheels on wrapping machines.  The finish is described as "cat's tongue," and feels a lot like that.  Keep the force on the wheels to a minimum, or tape the blanks where the wheels will contact, especially when drying epoxy (long exposure time to the wheels.)  If it gets "smoothed" you can blend the appearance back to normal with a grey Scotchbrite pad, but better not to have to try that.

[.ghoti.]

Thanks for the data Mick. Just went to the source mentioned and located the data myself. I had been there before, but had not located the CCS numbers. Not what I would call an intuitive design for a website.

 

Interesting you should mention a hotshot blank. One of the NFC blanks I bought is a hotshot model. I had to go on rodbilding.org to find out what exactly that is. I got a couple of explanations, but I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with it. 

21 hours ago, S Hovanec said:

 

Grizzly now has a tabletop model with some features of the bigger ones!  

I found a couple of bench top sized band saws, and almost bought one. My wife wanted a new floor in the kitchen, and bought the bamboo flooring she wanted, so I got a new miter saw to use for the floor install.

[MickD]

7 hours ago, .ghoti. said:

One of the NFC blanks I bought is a hotshot model. I had to go on rodbilding.org to find out what exactly that is. I got a couple of explanations, but I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with it. 

It is probably much longer than 7 feet, right?  They are used, as I understand it, to fish hot n tots and similar lures behind river boats for steelhead.  The tip is very light compared with the power of the rod allowing the lures to dance freely and their action is easily seen on the blanks.  The light tip explains why the tip goes vertical before being loaded enough to get to 30% deflection (RDA/CCS tests).   Because of their powerful mid/butt they can handle powerful fish.  

 

I am building mine into a casting rod (with components from Anglers Resource under their latest promotion) to use at first for blade baits (smallies in the spring and fall), then will see where it goes from there. I think it will also make a great drop shot rod.  It is obviously going to be the fastest action I've ever seen.

[.ghoti.]

7'9" MagM-XF, 8-15lb, 1/4-5/8oz

 

I'll be trimming at least 6" off the butt and building a casting rod. I'm hoping to get a nice rod for flukes, tubes and finesse jigs. We will see what I get. Hope it doesn't end up  permanently stuck in the rod rack. 

[MickD]

You gotta get your CCS rig done.  Then you can test the blank as is, then move the butt back so that you're only testing the front 7 ' 3" , or whatever length less than the original blank without cutting it.  Then you can decide on whether to cut, and if you do, how much, based on objective numbers.  It's fun, and very informative.

[.ghoti.]

Mick, I won't be trying to alter the power or action of the blank by trimming it. My objective is simply a shorter rod. I've found I do not much care for rods longer than about 7'2". Sold off all my rods longer than that.

 

I do like the idea of measuring the blank at different lengths to see the power and action angle change. There's some insight to be gained by doing so.

[MickD]

If you trim either the butt or the tip of a rod it will change both the power and action as described by CCS.  Maybe not as felt by the hand.  If you have an existing rod and do not move the seat, trimming the tip will affect the power and action, trimming the butt will affect neither.  Trimming the tip is like breaking a rod near the tip and putting on a new tiptop.  I've done that, and never have liked the rod after that.  I have not yet found a good enough reason to trim either end; there are so many blanks available that I have found what I wanted.  The closest I've come is considering trimming the butt of a long "hot shot" rod.  With this new Point Blank, that will most likely not happen either.  Good discussion.   By the way, this Point Blank to be built will be done with Winn grips and the Fuji Perfect Fit hardware, my first for the latter.