Like you I received my latest fishing catalog and saw carbon rods had finally surpassed the thousand dollar price point. My thoughts on this topic are well documented, but I couldn’t help wondering – has the price of graphite made bamboo rods a bargain?
Prices listed in the H.L. Leonard and Orvis catalogs of the 1980’s were more pronounced, a graphite rod was in the vicinity of $165, and their bamboo counterpart somewhere between $800 to $1000 each.
Today the graphite is $1000, and the handmade bamboo is somewhere between $2000 and $3000 per rod. Comparatively that’s a decline in the difference between the two of nearly 50% in 28 years.
During the same period bulk pricing of Polyacrylonitrile fiber has decreased from roughly $6 per pound (1984), to about $0.30 per pound (2005). Once used solely by the military, carbon fiber precursor is now part of everything from cars and cement to roof tiles and outerwear.
Tonkin cane has always been the preferred bamboo source, and while prices spiked in the late 60’s and early 70’s (because we were napalming it with great gusto), relationships in the region have since normalized. Tonkin cane was about $10.00 per bale in the middle 70’s, and today a bale, 20 culms, is nearly $400. (Cheaper if you travel to China and purchase your own.)
Figuring the balance of parts used on graphite and bamboo rods are similar; Portuguese cork, carbide guides, stainless snakes and tip, etc., we can assume the material costs of making a bamboo rod has risen considerably while carbon fiber has declined during the same period.
As carbon is tied to petroleum costs, it fluctuates with energy prices, but as carbon fiber and precursor is used by hundreds of industries and world production is in excess of 500,000 metric tonnes, mass production has lowered the cost dramatically.
So, why have graphite rods prices increased so dramatically?
I can’t answer that, and rod companies won’t.
Some rod company executive is likely spitting venom at his screen – claiming I’m one in a long line of simplistic rubes that couldn’t possibly understand the economics of rod construction.
Largely true, but only the TARP bailout has less transparency than rod companies and their cost structures.
I think it’s time to buy Bamboo. I haven’t heard of any breakthroughs in mass production that would account for the decline in bamboo rod pricing, it’s plain that these rare craftsmen charge less per hour today than they did 28 years ago – and should rethink that.
$6500 per handcrafted and handrubbed specimen would restore parity, until then $2000 per rod is a bargain.
You can please your stock holders by reducing costs or increasing price…or both…so long as profit is higher than last year. “Rare craftsmen” are more likely to settle for steady income.
Wait until they find a way to add services and charge by the month. That’s the business model of the future.
“I think it’s time to buy Bamboo.”
I must have stumbled across the wrong website.
Just checking to see if you were awake, and noting the disparity between rods shat out of machine that makes a sound like “BLORT” – versus painstakingly crafted fishing tackle.
No need to feel my forehead.
Hell, I’ve been saying it for years; bamboo fly rods are now a bargain compared to high-end graphite. Most can be had for a lot less than $2K, and the things don’t go down in value (unlike last year’s Sage).
If only fly fishermen weren’t such absolute and utter whoossies when it comes to an extra couple of ounces in their hand, they’d realize it.
Signed, Chandler
Tom
Tom?
Now that I wrote this post, and shamelessly prostrated myself in the process, can I date your daughter?
Signed,
SingleBarbed
The primary reason most of the people I know fish with graphite rods is because they’re inexpensive and essentially worry free. You can put them away wet, bang them against trees and rocks, bust them in a truck door, or even use them to stake pole beans. The way some of the warranties work (specifically Orvis), how or why you damage a rod is unimportant. As long as there’s not an “R” burned into the cork, you can just mail it in and get a brand new one, free. I don ‘t know of any bamboo makers that offer a similar warranty. Accidently back over a $2000 bamboo rod and all you’ve got is some very expensive kindling. That being said, last year someone gave me an old bamboo rod that needed some work. It cost me $100 to have it fixed up (new guides, ferrules, and tip tops), and I’m looking forward to fishing it this spring. If I break it, I’m only out the $100.
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Carbon rods are graphite scrim wrapped on a steel mandrel. As long as the mandrel is tucked away in a vault, they can crap new rods (or replacement tips and butts) in a short second.
Bamboo replacement means the poor SOB has to slave over cane in dim light, recutting the 6 segments, glueing them, revarnish and refit with ferrules. It’s the same amount of work as making half a rod to replace the segment you sat on…
I’m sure for every new model of graphite rod, they’ll extend the run by a thousand blanks just to keep as warranty replacement parts. Sure, they have to rewrap and revarnish – but they don’t have to scrape burnt wood to get carbon dust – and start the process from raw.
Many bamboo rods are purchased with extra tip included, which gives you at least one ill planned move with a car door.
Only Echo has a similar option on the graphite side (that I’ve seen).
They now market fly fishing in the same fashion as all sporting activities. Just like golf, it is the equipment that will make you better, not your skill. Better, more expensive equipment will make you a better whatever. That’s appealing to the masses that fish too little yet believe that equipment will make them fish so well. Given the current conditions I think you will find that the better and more expensive scheme will fall by the wayside for a while.
You’re so right, conspicuous consumption may be on hiatus, frugal is the new fashionable.
Johntrout52 you are so right, most folks do tend to think a more expensive and stiffer rod will make them a better caster and fisherman. I think good marketing on the part of rod manufactures aids folks in thinking this way, shoot I did at one time.
Also, I KNOW you can find good quality bamboo fly rods for less than $2000.
Time for Bamboo!