|
|
| Post Number: 1
|
Garry Webster 
Group: Members
Posts: 20
Joined: Jan. 2012
|
 |
Posted on: Mar. 14 2012,13:28 |
|
  |
Freestone makes Scott's Premier SC rods
Freestone is the manufacturer of Scott's premier SC line of rods – The SC range is Scott’s most exclusive – using the highest quality fittings available to the industry today – and has done so for years. In NZ dollars, by the time these rods reach the NZ flyfisher the cost is close to $4000.
When Scott decided to embark on their Premier SC range of fly rods, who did they commission to design and produce these rods ? . . . Bernard Ramanauskas of Freestone. Bernard’s design partner and production manager at Freestone is Sam Drukman, who was head rod designer at Scott for many years before being ‘head hunted’ to be head rod designer at Winston.
Before I answer the absolute BS being posted about Freestone’s “poor quality cork, full of filler, and fittings you would see on a $500 rod” – let me quote to you directly from the official Scott website concerning their Premier range of SC rods.
“Scott SC rods are masterfully crafted with the finest components”
Those finest components are the same finest components used in every Freestone rod.
“Each cork is selected for the highest grade and each piece of wood for its unique and expressive figuring”
The same highest grade cork and wood used in every Freestone rod.
“The hand made Snake Brand guides are wrapped in clear silk tipped with burgundy”
Does that ‘ring a bell’ to those of you who have examined our Freestone rods ?
“wrapped in clear silk tipped with burgundy”
Exactly the same clear silk wraps and color combination used on every Freestone rod.
And by the way . . . I do think Scott make an extremely fine range of fly rods.
Now for the BS:
Dan . . . Maybe it’s time to get your eyes checked . . . too much BS floating around.
Please tell me the last time you looked at a Sage, Winston, Loomas or Scott that didn’t have filler ? At the hundreds I have looked at, I haven’t found one. Why single out Freestone for using filler – Everyone uses filler, even hand crafted Bamboo rod manufacturers use it.
Dan, you posted . . .
“The fittings were just as you would see on a $500 rod, and the cork had a lot of filler in it, again, as you would see on a $500 rod.
When designed and manufactured, $500 rods are produced from one mandrill. Many of the ‘name brands’ are produced that way also.
Every Freestone rod has an individual mandrill for every section of every rod they produce – The rod companies that use a single mandrill for each rod, spin it, that it provides greater blank consistency – Another load of BS – quite simply, it’s a cost saver.
$500 rods don’t use spigot ferrules, again too costly. Nor do they use clear silk wraps, or are individually hand sanded.
So much for Freestone being just another $500 rod.
Freestone and myself welcome fair criticism – it was to obtain genuine feedback of our rods that we introduced Freestone to NZ, and almost 100% of the feedback has been gratefully appreciated from extremely fine fisherman and exceptional casters.
What next ? . . . Is someone going to suggest that Scott’s Premier SC range of rods has the build quality and components of a $500 rod – Scott’s Premier SC range has exactly the same quality of manufacture and components that go into every Freestone rod.
Cheers
Garry
|
 |
|
|
| Post Number: 2
|
powergel
Group: Members
Posts: 191
Joined: May 2011
|
|
Posted on: Mar. 14 2012,14:15 |
|
 |
hi Garry
....just an observation if you don't mind, I have never seen or handled a "Freestone" rod but I am sure they are an exceptional piece of kit to those who appreciate them.
The unfortunate reality of retailing is that not everybody likes the same thing and everybody is entitled to their own opinion.
I have yet to see any product or manufacturer that has benefited from an internet forum slanging match and would respectfully suggest that in this case the "Freestone" rods should speak for themselves and let the market decide.
Do yourself and "Freestone" rods a favour, take the criticism on the chin...I guarantee you will sell more rods that way.
kind regards
Ross
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 3
|
Rudy
Group: Members
Posts: 380
Joined: Mar. 2010
|
|
Posted on: Mar. 14 2012,15:58 |
|
|
Ross, that is Sage advice. 
--------------
"you know, trout are kinda like the fat woman of fly fishing - they're picky...but really, they'll eat pretty much anything" - some guy on a fishing movie
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 4
|
|
|
| Post Number: 5
|
waitakidan
Group: Members
Posts: 922
Joined: Sep. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Mar. 14 2012,20:10 |
|
|
Gary, to answer a few of your points.
Filler. Yes, all premium brands use it. But a Freestone is $1250, other premium brands are around $700. I asked you about the filler in the cork several times, every time you were adamant that Bernard and Sam would never use filler. So are you admitting that the cork has been filled? I have seen better cork out there, it is available.
Fittings, yes they were nice fittings. But nothing special, which I guess I expected on a $1250 rod.
Now I don't know much about blank manufacturing, but I thought spigot jointed rods were cheaper to produce because you only needed to roll one blank for the whole rod, then chop it up, rather than needing to roll two blanks to get one fit-over blank. So what are the advantages to rolling each section seperately?
Gary, I gave your rods credit where it was due. I tried to keep an open mind, but the price tag of $1250 keeps jumping into mind. I wasn't even going to post anything about them, till Matt posted his "review".
And Ross is right, you will not do yourself or Freestone rods any favours by bagging anyone who didn't fall in love with your rods.
If someone is trying to market rods at this pricepoint and claiming they are the best in the world, you need to be prepared to cop a bit of flack.
Dan
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 6
|
Nesameletus
Group: Members
Posts: 396
Joined: Sep. 2008
|
|
Posted on: Mar. 14 2012,20:26 |
|
|
Sorry Garry,
I haven't seen or cast your rods but your response to these opinions hasn't endeared me to your product. We are all different and while others on here have a low opinion of one of my favorite rods, the Sage TCX, it's just their opinion. Mine's different. As Ross and Dan have said, take it on the chin mate, you'll be better off.
Webby
--------------
Webby
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 7
|
Tore
Group: Members
Posts: 885
Joined: Jul. 2006
|
|
Posted on: Mar. 15 2012,00:22 |
|
|
Finish and build quality is tricky to "sell". If you don't know what to look for you wouldn't know bad from good, or average from superior.
I was sceptical to the way these rods were marketed, and I always react when the word 'best' is being used about things that are highly subjective and impossible to measure.
BUT, I do feel pretty confident that the build quality and finish of these rods are likely to be some of the best available. Now, I haven't seen a Freestone rod, but judging from the images on the website the craftmanship is top notch. Very even windings, straight and thin finish, minimalistic, no bubbles or thread butts sticking out etc.
And I still feel that this should be their major selling point. These are not rods for the masses and probably shouldn't be marketed as the best innovation since sliced bread.
Cork is a natural material. So the number and size of little holes will vary from handle to handle, ring to ring. Even on flor grade quality. You can see filler on the photos on their website as well, as you will on Scott's SC images on their site. So unless the handle was full of filler, and some of it coming off (as with cheaper rods) I wouldn't hold that against it.
Guides, well snake brand on a Sage TCX or Scott M-series and snake brand on a Freestone will look the same. But they're easily recognisable on how their feet are very even compared to other guides. Again, to the average angler they will look like any other guides.
Reel seat; the hardwood is selected, stabilised and turned by the fellas themselves. Pretty sweet to know. And of course nickel silver hardware. Unfortunately you won't be able to tell the diference between this highly custom made seat from an off the shelf NS seat from Struble or REC. But I'm sure the potential buyer of these rods WILL appreciate the fact that special attention has been given to this detail. I know for sure that I would!
Comments regarding action will always be just a reflection of the respective individuals' personal preferences. So that part I always more or less ignore, regardless of which rod is in question. Just like I ignore the superlatives from the various manufacturers. Facts I find interesting. The rest is at times almost insulting.
I look at these rods as boutique style rods. That's the feel I get from reading about them. With the guys involved etc. it would FOR ME be like owning a carbon equivalent to a boo rod. Made by some highly respected blokes in the industry. Hell, I wouldn't even care if they WEREN'T the best rods I'd ever cast. I would buy one based on the story behind each rod. And I would never sell it.
So my feeling is that the introduction maybe was a little off target. And that these rods might be judged on not so accurate premises...?
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 8
|
nickf
Group: Members
Posts: 274
Joined: Sep. 2007
|
|
Posted on: Mar. 15 2012,09:04 |
|
|
Hey Gary, haven't seen your rods, did watch your approach to this forum with interest... and I'm certainly not a regular here... with a hiss and a roar you appeared, availed yourself of Steve's hospitality and made some big claims. It may be a cultural thing but in NZ that's an invitation to not be taken too seriously at best, or hacked down at worst. The forum welcomed you - phew! You fronted, brought the rods, and let them be used - kudos for that. Now I'm not a certified caster, or a trained caster, and probably not much better than an average/good caster, but what I do know from playing with lots of rod and line combinations is that what works for others often doesn't suit me AT ALL. So if I were you I wouldn't get too hung up or upset by feedback. I'd listen to the feedback of guys who are well respected and perhaps try and harness the positives. You may feel that some of the feedback is hard nosed. Yup, that's the way of it. You may think its unfair. If your product speaks for itself then let the individuals who can buy it decide if its for them or not. But dont get defensive.
--------------
My blog: http://snuffitramblings.blogspot.com/
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 9
|
Steve
Group: Administrator
Posts: 1224
Joined: Jul. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Mar. 22 2012,13:43 |
|
|
Closed
--------------
Steve Gerard
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
had to join in 