I have a soft spot for old Fenwick poles. It's all my grandfather would use. I found two for sale and was wondering, what the difference is between Ferulite, Fenglass and Classic Glass rods? One is a FS85C 7 3/8 oz 3/8 to 1 oz lure and the other FS89c 1 to 2 1/2 oz lure.
LOVE my big ole' sloppy 12' FSH Noodle!!!
"off the top of my head" (to be corrected/expanded by people who know more):
Fenglas/Fenglass(?) -- older w/ metal ferules
Ferulite/Feralite(?) -- later tip-over-butt non-metal ferules
Classic Glass -- late 80's Taiwanese; not as good as older US-made; ceramic guides are better for braid
http://fiberglassflyrodders.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4061 (http://fiberglassflyrodders.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4061)
The only fenwicks I've used are the old straight fiberglass ones and wish I still had them. I'd be interested in what your opinion of them is if you get a few. Not sure what the different names mean but the ferrule thing makes sense.
Both have the eyes with inserts. The FS85 ( asking $40) is brown and the FS89 ($90) is the more orange brown in color.
it's all good thin-wall tubular glass -- a bit heavier & less sensitive than graphite
but MUCH more durable & forgiving to user error
dark, dull brown sounds like Classic; Ferulite is brighter, more translucent
assuming good condition, $40 is cheap even if it's a Taiwan-made Classic
$90 is fair for a good Ferulite w/ sock & tube (or very good rod, alone)
the lure weights (hence, power) are drastically different, so get what you need
if same seller, consider getting both to knock the price down
NOTE: pretty sure US-made glass Fenwicks w/ ceramic guides exist, but not so common
if it's one of those, $90 may be CHEAP! ask here:
http://fiberglassflyrodders.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=33&sid=89713fb6a09de453806d52161f9660bc (http://fiberglassflyrodders.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=33&sid=89713fb6a09de453806d52161f9660bc)