I own a Sage 4wt in 8’6" 2 pc that was built for me from a Sage blank
I also own a Sage 5wt in 8’6" 2 pc that I purchased throught FAOL “For Sale” board
I love both of them and consider them 2 of the best rods I have ever fished with. My question is:
On the rod that was built for me, in the description it has IIIb and the one purchased through FAOL has IIIe
I am assuming that IIIb lets them know, if there is a claim, that this was built from a blank and IIIe lets them know it was built by Sage. Would that assumption be correct? Do you feel there is any difference in the blanks themselves other than where they were built?
You’re right about the “b”, but I think the “e” actually designates a different material that the factory “III” rods. I’m not sure about this year’s models, but I know a few years ago the VPS used “III” material while XPs and SLTs were made from “IIIe”. So I don’t have an exact answer for you. I bet JC would know or could find out.
As far as factory build blanks vs. custom blanks, they are all the same, same material, same tapers, same eveything except the letter b. There’s a few brands that desigate the highest qulity blanks for their blank program (i.e. the straightest, best fitting ferruls, best finish), and blanks with imperfections (very slight and un-noticable) are used in the factory built rods. I doubt Sage does this because of thier high degree of quality control makes it a non-issue.
The Sage blank is labeled Graphite “III B” to designate it was purchased as a blank. Sage warrantee will cover replacement of the blank only. The Graphite III with serial number is a completed factory rod. The rod material and quality is identical.
The newer rods changed to Graphite IIIe material and that is most likely a factory finished rod you have. My Sage 990-4 XP blank has Graphite “IIIe B” labeled.