Tom Davis, who not long ago wrote a review of the TenkaraUSA 9’3" Iwana and the Daiwa 10’2" Soyokaze http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/showthread.php?46587-Review-of-10-2-quot-Soyokaze-and-9-4-quot-Iwana has just published a series of rod reviews. It is interesting to get an independent view of a number of rods. You can read his review here: http://tetontenkara.blogspot.com/2012/07/6-month-rod-summary-july-2012.html
I think Tom did a terrific job of testing rods and reporting his results. I’m particularly attracted to the few-words Conclusions at the end of teach rod review, such as: "Conclusion: I really, really like this rod"[Daiwa Sagiri] and “Conclusion: I was disappointed with the Ito and sold it.” So often I read a review in which the reviewer both praises and criticizes a rod and I want to ask him, “Okay, but on balance do you like it or not?” Tom answers that question without pussy footing. He doesn’t claim that his answer is the final answer, but you at least know where he stands.
I hope Tom does more of this sort of testing and reporting. He does it well, and his blog earned a spot on my favorites bar.