I usually use the very front end/edge of the "handle" as the fulcrum point, but will allow that point to be on the blank, right where the blank enters the handle. Not "all" of my rods balance dead even ... but I would rather they lean towards the reel end than the tip end, because a tip heavy rod is more taxing on your wrist/forearm than a handle end heavy rod. Even so, I don't want the handle end to drop like a rock when I try and balance it, and neither do I want to have to move the reel so far forward that I have very little handle left in front of the reel's foot. In those cases I opt for a smaller or lighter reel to maintain the balance point & still be functional for the techniques I intend to use with that outfit.