25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
- doomtrprz71
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25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
Does anyone actually have one of these rods, I see the blank manufacturer is not listed like the other rod series and was curious if its worth buying, for some reason this rod calls to me.
Re: 25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
The blank is made from the machinery that produced the original Helium series... a different manufacturer purchased the equipment a while ago and is now producing blanks. Kistler went to them with the original design to have these anniversary blanks made celebrating the original series using the same guides and everything.
Cal, Managing Editor
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
- Hogsticker2
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Re: 25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
Can you elaborate a little on this please? What exactly are you referring to as the machinery? Was it Loomis that purchased the original Shikari blank mandrels?Cal wrote: ↑Tue Mar 26, 2024 10:39 amThe blank is made from the machinery that produced the original Helium series... a different manufacturer purchased the equipment a while ago and is now producing blanks. Kistler went to them with the original design to have these anniversary blanks made celebrating the original series using the same guides and everything.
Re: 25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
Man….the Helium LTA 69APC was my very first “high end” rod!! This site talked me into buying it and started me down the path!
I loved that blank and caught a ton of fish with it. Did not like the real seat as Diawas would sometimes pop out on a hook set. However, it pretty much stayed paired with my Scorpion 1000! I still have them both but have put them into retirement out of respect. I might need to break that combo out again for old times sake!
I loved that blank and caught a ton of fish with it. Did not like the real seat as Diawas would sometimes pop out on a hook set. However, it pretty much stayed paired with my Scorpion 1000! I still have them both but have put them into retirement out of respect. I might need to break that combo out again for old times sake!
Re: 25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
In blank manufacturing, the raw material is wrapped around a mandrel. Those serve as a sort of pattern. Then, the material is processed in a kind of press before it goes into the oven.. that's the machinery of which i speak.Hogsticker2 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 26, 2024 2:59 pmCan you elaborate a little on this please? What exactly are you referring to as the machinery? Was it Loomis that purchased the original Shikari blank mandrels?Cal wrote: ↑Tue Mar 26, 2024 10:39 amThe blank is made from the machinery that produced the original Helium series... a different manufacturer purchased the equipment a while ago and is now producing blanks. Kistler went to them with the original design to have these anniversary blanks made celebrating the original series using the same guides and everything.
Cal, Managing Editor
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
- Hogsticker2
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Re: 25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
Yep, I'm aware as to how blanks are made. Just not sure what you're referring to as machinery - the press itself? The original press used for the OG Helium, graphite layup, blank materials?
Re: 25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
That's what I said.. the press.. that's the only machinery involved. Layup and material is not machinery.Hogsticker2 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:24 pmYep, I'm aware as to how blanks are made. Just not sure what you're referring to as machinery - the press itself? The original press used for the OG Helium, graphite layup, blank materials?
Cal, Managing Editor
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
Re: 25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
This post took me down a rabbit hole on Shikari blanks.
Interesting read here: https://www.rodbuilding.org/read.php?2,548940,548994
Always interesting to see how one man with a plan can have a big impact and what happens when that person steps away
Interesting read here: https://www.rodbuilding.org/read.php?2,548940,548994
Always interesting to see how one man with a plan can have a big impact and what happens when that person steps away
Re: 25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
Cool share, thanks. I could have sworn in the back of my mind, I had heard Shikari was located somewhere in the middle of the country and that thread indicates OK, which lines up with what I vaguely recalled. Turns out, however, they were in the Pacific Northwest - similar to G.Loomis, Lamiglas, and now Northfork. I only know this because I was told the company that purchased the machinery, Stryker, set up shop either in the same building or at least the same area. Maybe there was more than one factory?Polkfish1 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 28, 2024 4:42 amThis post took me down a rabbit hole on Shikari blanks.
Interesting read here: https://www.rodbuilding.org/read.php?2,548940,548994
Always interesting to see how one man with a plan can have a big impact and what happens when that person steps away
Cal, Managing Editor
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
- Hogsticker2
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Re: 25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
Hmm. InterestingCal wrote: ↑Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:36 pmThat's what I said.. the press.. that's the only machinery involved. Layup and material is not machinery.Hogsticker2 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:24 pmYep, I'm aware as to how blanks are made. Just not sure what you're referring to as machinery - the press itself? The original press used for the OG Helium, graphite layup, blank materials?
Re: 25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
What i heard is when ATC bought shikari, they took the mandrels to a different factory. But after ATC closed down, no one really knows what happened to them. My guess is they probably got split up and got sold.
Re: 25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
That would make sense I guess.. the mysterious dealings in the world of rod blanks
Cal, Managing Editor
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
Re: 25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
The mysteries in the world of rod blanks
"The Loomis brothers are making them... i heard"
"One of Loomis sons running the factory...i heard"
Re: 25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
sounds about right...
if I ever start a blank company, it's going to be called "Heresay Blanks"
if I ever start a blank company, it's going to be called "Heresay Blanks"
Cal, Managing Editor
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
- doomtrprz71
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Re: 25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA
Or start one called L00mis