The rumour mill turns

[loomisguy]

I'm hearing that a announcement that Kistler is moving away from the NFC blanks is coming soon.
I hate to see it but I'm not completely surprised given the price bumps the rods have taken.
The KLX has gone from $199 to $300 in a few years and I'm sure Trey is passing on price increases from NFC. If the NFC customer service on the blank side is as bad as it is on the finished rod (Edge) side then I guess Kistler is doing what they have to do be competitive and I'd bet that means buying blanks offshore like Falcon.
Trey is one of the really great guys in the industry and I will buy one of the 2021 models to try.

[earldogg]

Bummer, those nfc blanks are special. My custom zbone is the best rod I've ever seen, held, used.

[loomisguy]

I feel the same. I just picked up another Helium. Maybe the upper end rods will still be NFC. I hope so anyway.  The new Graphite series is from a different supplier already.

[BHenke]

The 2021 Z Bones are already available on the Kistler website and there is no mention of NFC blanks on the specs. It just says 100% Carbon Fiber Kistler Blank now for the Z Bone.

[loomisguy]

It's going to be interesting to see what kind of prices the NFC models bring on the secondary market.
Also in Japan where the Kistler prices get really crazy. I will be a interested observer.

[TProud]

I was bummed as well as I just bought my first kistlers this year simply to try an nfc blank at a decent price. I checked the heliums on the site and they went up to 400. What I dont get is the helium and zbone so far are built on the same blank and 150 difference with only guides that I can tell doesnt seem right. I thought the zbone was supposed to be a rod unto itself. I wish id have spent more and got a few more rods. Last gripe is they lost the mod fast action on the light medium heavy they made great chatterbait/ spinnerbait rods for me. I did upon learning they departed nfc buy 2 xray blanks and 3 delta blanks to build up. I thought the price of a rod would go down with the new blanks rather then go up. sry for the length just bummed. Ill wait to hear how the new rods fair.

[loomisguy]

The KLX and the Helium shared the same blank the z bone had the Xray blank.
The difference between the Helium and KLX is, or was the guides and handle shape.
Once I saw Kistler getting into the reel business I figured something was up.

[TProud]

Yeah the klx and helium used to but now the zbone and helium do. And having just guides different doesn't justify 150 bucks. It looks like the klx is on its own blank atm and argon is as well zbone/ helium -KC9 blank, klx -KC8, argon -KC7 magnesium wasn't updated yet nor feel n reel

[loomisguy]

If the Z bone has Torzites those things are stupid expensive.. I'm glad I got the old NFC Helium at the sale price. I thought about a new Z bone but I ordered another NRX instead. I'll have to say what folks have to say about the z bone once they are in circulation.

[earldogg]

Had an opportunity to get a new helium for 220$, don't like them changing from NFC, but pulled the trigger. Got 6'9"lmh fast. Test drive in 9 weeks!

[FD]

If the Z bone has Torzites those things are stupid expensive.. I'm glad I got the old NFC Helium at the sale price. I thought about a new Z bone but I ordered another NRX instead. I'll have to say what folks have to say about the z bone once they are in circulation.

They are stupid expensive for sure.  The Torzites cost me over $100 for a typical guide train and I can't tell the difference between them and a $25 ATC set.

The X-Ray blank, is worth the extra money.  Being unsanded it is a little harder to build on, but it is also very crisp and super sensitive.

Arti-FISH-ial Entertainment.    FDx Custom Rods.   CPFLURES.COM

[loomisguy]

Had an opportunity to get a new helium for 220$, don't like them changing from NFC, but pulled the trigger. Got 6'9"lmh fast. Test drive in 9 weeks!

That's a good pick up for sure.