Originally Posted by
Big Zig
Wait a minute - I'm confused (actually I'm convinced that's a well written article that tells us absolutely nothing)
"How many times have you been told that the difference between IM6, IM7 and IM8 is the difference in quality standard, or that the higher the modulus, the more graphite was used to produce the rod?" This is how the article starts - Good question, and many times; including by the rod manufacturer themselves - Does this mean they are guilty of false advertising?
"Loomis began by explaining that the identifiers IM6, IM7 and IM8 are the trade numbers used by the Hexcel Corp. to identify their product and is not an industry quality or material standard....." Good, I can accept that fact. But keep this in mind (it will come up later) Why do they have three different identifiers for one product. I'm assuming at this point it's the same product because of the statement in the first quote that IM6. IM7, and IM8 are not different qualities.
" An acceptable strain rate for a fishing rod is 680,000 or higher. A graphite rod made from IM6 Hercules Fibers will have a modulus of 36 million and a strain rate of 750,000....." Ok, now what can I compare that to?
"Intermediate modulus rods (33 million to 42 million) with high strain rates (700,000 or higher) still offer a lot of sensitivity and responsiveness and are quite durable" Well said - IM6 is an intermediate status rod. Now, what about the specs for IM7 and/or IM8?
"The high-modulus, high-strain-rate, extremely light rods are usually a rod manufacturer’s high-end product. These rods are the ultimate in responsiveness and sensitivity, and they cost a lot more than the average fishing rod." Ooops - there's my answer. Would this be relating to the unspoken IM7 and/or IM8 graphite built rods? Must be - they're more expensive.
Think about this article, or please explain it to me, because I obviously missed something. After reading the article I still don't know what IM7 and IM8 are. Are they just IM6 in disquise? After all, they aren't anything but identifing numbers. (To Id what?) they did a good job telling us some specifics about IM6, but did nothing to compare it to IM7 and/or IM8. And if IM6, IM7, and IM8 are the same thing (just an identifier) why are the rods priced differently? Take note to the last quote. Or are we getting shelled by the rod manufactures'?
Someone got good information and forgot to share all of it in that article - or someone's doing what he(they) can to protect a secret by obscurring the facts.
It doesn't seem that I don't believe everything I read does it? :D