Point Blank Enters Gen 2 with Katana and More (continued)

To Keep or not to Keep: On the PBKT731HXF, I elected to install an open ended hook keeper, but I left the hook keeper off on the PBKT761XXHMF build, going instead, with the after wrap option of Fuji's JDM Multi Hook Keeper that Baron had included with the shipment. This keeper has been used by some rod manufacturer's in the past and it is so good that I am hoping it shows up more as a standalone in US stores, because it is, well, a keeper.

I hope Angler's Resource brings in these Fuji Multi-Keepers

Accents: If there's one area I feel Fuji is lacking, it's in their selection of winding checks. I find them a bit clunky (thick) and for the life of me cannot understand why they do not offer a viable option for an accent ring at the top of the reel seat. So instead, I went with some options from Matagi mixing in some options I had left over from previous builds.

I turned to Matagi for the accent pieces

I found some left over red accents in my spare parts. They just happened to fit and ended up being a nice compliment that carbon insert on the PBTK761XXHMF build

Thread: I battled with myself on this decision. On the one hand, I had a pile of neglected silk thread wraps that I wanted to use but wasn't sure I had the patience to execute. Silk thread is thinner than Size A thread and will break mid wrap if your tension is too high and/or if there is the slightest hint of an abrasive element on the blank or guide foot. In addition, I have great difficulty wrapping this thread without gaps no matter how slow I go or how much I burnish. The draw to this material, for me, is the vibrancy of the color once it's all done. Standard thread, at this point for me, is fast, quick, and dirty, but also uninspiring. I can liven it up in finish by coloring the epoxy, but I was in the mood for something more refined. In the end, I challenged myself and went with the silk option. The result was, as expected, mediocre with a lot of gaps, re-dos from the thread breaking, and so on, but oh the vibrancy! (Note, if you do not use a color preserver on silk thread, they go translucent to transparent offering yet another finish option)

Silk thread can be maddening, but the color is so vibrant I can overlook my messy work

The Lab: Once the builds were complete and epoxy all dried, the first thing I did was wrack the rods to see if I could detect any differences in characteristics from the original series. For the PBKT761XXHMF, I'm happy to report the deflection charts are nearly identical. My first build on the original blank back in 2020 came to 6.1 ounces in weight. My most recent build on the original blank in the same configuration as the Katana (12" carbon split rear handle, spiraled guides) was 5.2oz in total weight with a balance point of about nine inches up from the middle of the reel seat. The PBKT761XXHMF came to 5oz even in total weight but a balance point of about 9.5 inches. The difference in weight is so slight, it could just be a difference in components. I had a decorative winding check at the very end of the former build likely responsible for the increase in weight and slightly better balance.

Fig 1 : The chart above illustrates the deflection characteristics of our Point Blank Katana PBKT761XXHMF against the original PB761XXHMF as well as the historical averages of similarly powered rods we've tested over the past twenty plus years

For the PBKT731HXF, I am happy to report, that blank and build charted almost identical to our historical average for heavy powered rods. They fixed the blank! This had me more excited than knowing the PBKT761XXHMF is consistent with its same model from the previous gen because now the purpose for which I had originally envisioned the 731HXF is possible. Assuming, of course, I'm up for that journey of even more builds.

Fig 1 : The chart above illustrates the deflection characteristics of our Point Blank Katana PBKT69HXF against the original PB69HXF as well as the historical averages of similarly powered rods we've tested over the past twenty plus years

Ready for some real world tests

I began this project wanting to be sure the 761XXHMF felt the same (it does) and wondering if the 731XHF had been bumped to a true heavy power (it has). So now the question is whether or not it's time for a new rod turner