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Don't suppose anyone on here has any experience with these rods:
https://www.forgetackledirect.com/products/hammer-stick-bk-carp-rod-black?srsltid=AfmBOoqYzz1GVKqhZvSKW8koeA64--vlwLKBsBUa7cE9XUDIvM5MUdt9
Forge Tackle Hammer Stick BK - 10ft 3.5tc
Someone fairly local is selling a near new set.
Thanks
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In reply to Post #74
Century make other stuff besides rods as well and export a lot to the states which has become a huge market for them as well as now owning the zziplex brand.
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In reply to Post #77
Yes, when Baitman posted I had a quick look, saw the dates 
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In reply to Post #75
It always has been seperate busineses
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In reply to Post #74
Yes, Steve told me when I was there. I wonder if he'll split the business when the time comes? Though I can see the benefit of 'fingers in different pies' I can't see a fishing company/collective paying a premium for the extra, though you never know, asset stripping is very popular.
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In reply to Post #73
Harrisons produce so much more than just rods/blanks. Canoe paddles yacht parts carbon tubing for all sorts of different companys etc.
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In reply to Post #67
I don't think it'll be too long before the reins are passed on, maybe then they'll blitz social media..though...roast me...I hope they don't.
Maybe he's not maximising the business, and could drive it harder, but there's something about social media that sells the soul out and cheapens the product to me. Every man and his dog has the latest thing ready for sale bigged up by consultants (yeah) and tested for years only to fail in mounts of use...then there's Harrisons just quietly getting on with it 
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In reply to Post #70
My Ballista's are unground and I love the finish.
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In reply to Post #69
Yeah he has . He started the business from his bedroom.
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In reply to Post #67
What some find bling others may not, I'm actually a bit of a ungrounded fan as I like how it looks and feels and believe it contributes to strength.
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In reply to Post #68
He's come a long way since I used to buy maggots from him and his mums shop on smithdown road.
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In reply to Post #67
I don't reckon they need to worry about their sales figures haha
And fishing tackle ain't sexy haha
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In reply to Post #66
Steve needs to get with the programme, more bling, sexy sells
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In reply to Post #64
Not really. It's function not fashion, why add it if it's not needed?
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In reply to Post #64
Century, free spirit don’t weave all the way to the tip, I guess if you added the weave it would probably just make the tip section stiffer and heavier, probably changing the action of the blank it’s like this on my ngs.
It seems more cosmetic that actual benefit to the blank.
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In reply to Post #61
That's what I thought but their information on their website is a bit confusing:
"we usually use plain woven fabrics as surfacing layers. These are available in 1k or 3k weaves, and are made on machines little different to the looms that used to be found in the mills of old. These fabrics add a little extra crushing strength and give a handsome appearance, but most of a rod performance is defined by the hidden UD layers below."
If woven doesn't change the tip that much then it seems odd to leave it off.
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In reply to Post #60
All done for a reason as mentioned.
Who ever looks at the tip section on a rod anyway. If its cosmetic looks your after. Your eyes are naturally drawn to the butt section. The reel seat, handle, whippings,decals etc.. 
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In reply to Post #60
Because as i said Harrison develop the best blanks for the job desired. A 13ft blank will not be the same as a 9 ft . The carbon walls differ . Butt sections are thicker stiffer etc . Just because a blank has a 1k weave does,nt mean its better than one that does,nt . Horses for courses.A torrix blank will do different things and act differently to an aviator,trebuchet etc .Harrison and century dont make blanks just to look nice .
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In reply to Post #56
Great information, thanks.
So why aren’t all Harrison blanks like this?
I know Torrix blanks are like this but Aviators aren’t?
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Opinions are like ##@#** as they say, we all have them and like wise all want certain things from a rod, finding the perfect fit for you is the tricky bit. Of course it helps if you know exactly what you want from the rod and how you are going to use it but I still think it's disappointing that you can't try before you buy unless you know someone with to he rod your interested in or are on very good terms with a shop that is willing to let you try one.
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In reply to Post #56
Harrison develop the best blanks for the job intended
Make that a sticky. Same as Century, and they have done for years. The rest are “catching the masses”
By a rod for a reason, not the next trend
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In reply to Post #56
Function over fashion 👍
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In reply to Post #55
Harrison develop the best blanks for the job intended . Its a unidectional tip which aids recovery . In the development they used various tip sections inc 1k weave and this was the best in steve and fieldtesters opinion.
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It's a bit disappointing that Harrison haven't included 1k weave to the tip section on the Telos, especially at this price point.
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In reply to Post #53
As much as I do rate sonik rods, they really won't be comparable. Nobody makes blanks as good as Harrison imo
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Oooh, and now Sonik have released a custom option for 100 a pop.
Makes it 3 4 1 versus Harrison.
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In reply to Post #42
I have torrix 10fts 2 piece and 12fts also have korum retractables which I don’t mind leaving in the boot at 85 a pair
I have thought of getting Harrison retractables
But do i really want to leave £400 rods in boot definitely not
So I think retractables have a place which is cheap enough not to worry about them
So if I am only going to leave Harrison retractable in house and loading in car when going fishing
So might as well use the ones I have
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In reply to Post #50
That’s a good question, with everyone trying to cash in on it and take the working man’s money, I would say a matter of days or weeks before the next best thing comes along 
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how many years does it take for a fad not be a fad??
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In reply to Post #48
Lots of fads especially in carp fishing do well
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In reply to Post #40
Fad... they said that when Nash bought out there scopes. That was ten plus years ago. Most tackle company's have them in there range.. they seem to be doing alright for a fad.. 
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In reply to Post #44
So will my 3 piece harrison stalkers
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In reply to Post #40
Each to their own.
I have dozens of rods that are 12ft and when travelling with dogs, family etc, the retractable rods are a revelation when it comes to loading the car. No longer do I have rods or a holdall stuck in the way of my arm when I drive, they simply fit across the boot or in a roof box that wont take a 12ft rod.
As for quality and performance, I am yet to see where my £400+ Century C2's perform better or are better built than my new ESP Quickdraw rods.
45 years ago when I started carp fishing, rods were 10ft, then 11ft, now 12 and 13ft, yet remain 2 piece.
Match rods of that length have always been 3 piece and dont suffer performance issues but are so much easier to transport due to the short packed size.
Call me old fashioned, but the 10ft rods feel really good in the hands and retractable is proving to be just another benefit for those that need it.
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Must admit I'm converted too. I drive a small car and retractables in my quiver with the brolly sit on the front seat well with everything else in the boot. So the quiver comes in the house everything else stays in the boot out of sight.
I upgraded from xtractors to quickdraws a month ago so about £50 to £85 per rod which for the improvement in build was well worth it, not had a fish on them yet though
Oddly,I believe I'm more accurate casting and actually enjoy playing fish on a shorter rod which I hadn't expected.
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In reply to Post #40
I don’t know about that, they will fit perfect into the boot of a Corsa 
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In reply to Post #42
I,ve walked up and down river banks with one piece 6ft and 7ft pike rods for 40 years . Telescopic rods have been around all that time . I totally agree with you i would,nt be spending serious money on a pair though 👍
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In reply to Post #40
A fad? ... Possibly ... but retractables are easier to carry .... especially if you dont want/need to use a barrow or are walking up/down the river.
I personally wouldnt spend big money on retractables ... but a set of £50/£60 retractable rods is worth a punt and you dont need to be too precious about them.
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Those Telos are on Mark Tunney’s web site now
Two models, the more expensive one is £355 for a cork handle
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In reply to Post #39
Another fad
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Don’t understand this fashion for retractable rods, most carp anglers I see have vans, 4x4s or estate cars? I even used to carry 12ft carp rods and all the gear for a 3 night session in my old Golf GTI back in the 90’s.
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In reply to Post #34
The retractable blanks are called Telos . There is one available at the moment as said 10ft 3 1/4 t.c. The others are still being tested and will be available early next year . Im not a fan of retractables but have some blanks arriving next week i wont be building anything until next year due to the house move and all the work im doing on it . The factory rods i believe will be around £300 mark
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In reply to Post #34
No but they’re based on a torrix blank.
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In reply to Post #34
Or a price? Nothing on the website
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In reply to Post #33
Any idea if these new Rods have been given a name yet?
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3.25’s are, 3.5’s end of month and 3’s early next year.
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In reply to Post #31
They were supposed out already weren't they?
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Waiting for january when the 10 foot 3lb harrison retractable blanks are hopefully going to be ready.
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Hi Guys,
For those who have Chiltern rods in 3.5 tc how do you find the action? Also any preferences of what fittings you went for?
Cheers!
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In reply to Post #28
Don’t think the handles are any shorter on the Propels.
If you look at the length of the rod past the handle it shows they are the same as the scopes.
You are right alot of other rods have a longer section above the reel seat making the handles shorter.
Not so on the Propels
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Another for the Chiltern rods, lovely blanks, great finish and excellent service.
I was really keen on the Propel R's but the only thing that put me off, (as with some other retractable rods) was the short handle length. Scopes don't have this issue and the Chiltern's are custom so you can have the handle pretty much wherever.
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In reply to Post #23
Propels arrived.
Not used as yet of course but they are very nicely finished and very light. Ringing is nice and impressed.
Will report once used…..
Might have my custom CR spectra’s for sale 😉
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In reply to Post #25
I'm just in the process of getting a set priced up from them!
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Chiltern custom compact rods, excellent quality at a good price
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Expensive i know, but never had any issues with my Scopes. Landed cats to over 60lb and carp to over 50lb with no problems. I do tend to take a while lining up the rings but thats just my OCD!
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In reply to Post #1
Just getting some Propel-R’s to try.
Will report back versus my custom Spectra’s from CR
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In reply to Post #12
If you want high end rods drop Harrison an email: info@harrisonrods.co.uk
Their 10ft blanks should be listed on their site this month.
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I've recently changed from Sonik xtractor 3.25 to esp quickdraw 4k 3.5's.
The esps are lighter, thinner blanks. Very crisp action and accurate casting up to around 60 yards, playing action not much different.
So far I've been really happy with my upgrade, imo the ESP are a step up in quality from the Soniks which I was very happy with.
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Looking as well. mainly for bank work but boat work / euro fishing in future.
Interested in the ESP quickdraw 4ks in 3.25 or 3.5.
i really dont want something to pokey as i do fish smaller waters a lot but still want the option to chuck a 4-4.5oz lead if possible, not big distances but i fish a few places where you need to cast bigger leads to deal with big winds/weed only about 70-80 yards.
I see a lot of people rating the 3.25 but cant find much online review wise. Does anyone have any experience using the 3.25 and 3.5?
Same with the bionics anyone got experience chucking leads with the 3.5s?
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Ultimate Bionic rods. Absolute bargain about £50! I bought a set of four for boat work thinking that at that price if I only used them once who cares. They are superb. Apparently same blanks as sold by Cotswold for a lot more £.
These are quality rods. Lovely through action, full duplon handle.
To put this in perspective apart from a set of Shimano TX7s all of my rods are custom made and cost about £400 each!
https://fishdeal.co.uk/t/carp-rods/ultimate-bionic-10ft-extender-carp-rod?v=180238&bg_source=ga&bg_campaign=21032215359&bg_kw=-mi-117223143-pi-180238-ppi-&bg_source_id=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21038892173&gbraid=0AAAAAD4AJp-gpLropirPMzTJ1z329uHtB&gclid=CjwKCAiA8vXIBhAtEiwAf3B-g2XYiKN9z4DUdEQTap-cP67SfGiQifQykIuDXC4VaUCghgmCOfmyIxoC3lMQAvD_BwE
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In reply to Post #12
Another vote for the ESP Quickdraw rods. Bought a set in 3.25lb to replace my 12ft Century C2's and cant fault them.
A lot of rod for the money and I question why I spent so much money on rods in the past.
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In reply to Post #13
I've got the ESP 10ft 3.25 tc cant fault them
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In reply to Post #13
I can fully recommend ESP in 10ft or Soniks in 8ft
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In reply to Post #12
Not retractable. But for off the shelf rods, then I really like my Greys MK2 aiircurves in 10ft, they are great rods if you can still find a set.
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In reply to Post #11
Just Bumping this...
I wonder If I could just have one set of 10ft rods for all my carp fishing... I'm wondering if there are any decent sets (high end blanks) or if they are all cheap Chinese ones
I don't need to be a massive caster.... 100 yards max would do.
The ESP Quickdraw Mk2 rods looked decent from the mass produced stuff.
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In reply to Post #10
I've still got a set of Sonik Insurgent 10ft 3.5 tc rods which I've not used much but looking at the spec of the Xtractor Pro rods they look like the same!
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Yeah, I noticed Sonik were doing a 'pro' with fancy carbon for about a hundred quid each. Wondered if they could be the same with the tax added
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In reply to Post #8
Had a look at these on ebay. It says in the description not Harrison blanks.. I enquired a while back with Harrison, century and freespirit if they were in line to bring out retractable. None have yet replied ( Rude ). So I wouldn't hold your breath. The blanks these custom builders are using are probably just some generic blank from Ali express or the like..
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I see Calvin Hancock is advertising some retractables on the bay. Appreciate they may have been there for a while, but would this mean Harrison has a retractable blank available?
I imagine that would bring a whole new level of tart to the retractable market if they have.
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I’m going to get some 4k quickdraws. Was looking at the custom built but that’s a minimum of £200 more.
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In reply to Post #1
Ive just got a set of ESP quick draw in 3.25 tc and cant fault them great rods
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In reply to Post #3
I ended up getting some cheaper ones, new ESP Quickdraw.
My first retractable / shorter rods so just thought I should see if I get on with them first
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I was curious so got a set of three customs priced up which came in at over £700 which surprised me a little.
So I'll be sticking with my £45 per rod xtractors which have been great since owning them and got lots of positive feedback on here when I asked 👍
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In reply to Post #2
Opps!! I did search but that thread didn't come up... guess I could have put a typo in!
Have you decided what to go for yet?
My only concern with spending quite a lot on these type of rods is the wear on the lower retractable section over time which I've seen on some.
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In reply to Post #1
I did a post a few days ago about 10ft retractables ( just a few posts below ) and the higher end rods recommended were -
Chiltern
Lee Preston Customs
Trakker
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Hi All,
I've decided to switch over to 10ft retractable rods for all my fishing now. I just prefer fishing mobile with as little gear as possible now and the lakes I fish aren't very big (3-5 acres). Max cast is probably 80-100 yards ( 100 yards to the far margin on two of lakes).
I'm looking for a really nice rod, I've had Scope 9ft 3lb many years ago and they were quite nice to use but I'd like 10ft.
Any Recommendations please?
Ryan
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