25th Anniversary Kistler Helium LTA

[doomtrprz71]

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.

[Cal]

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.

[Hogsticker2]

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.

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?

[Tigerbass]

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!

[Cal]

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.

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?

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]

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?

[Cal]

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?

That's what I said.. the press.. that's the only machinery involved. Layup and material is not machinery.

[Polkfish1]

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

[Cal]

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

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?

[Hogsticker2]

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?

That's what I said.. the press.. that's the only machinery involved. Layup and material is not machinery.

Hmm. Interesting

[4g63power]

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.

[Cal]

My guess is they probably got split up and got sold.

That would make sense I guess.. the mysterious dealings in the world of rod blanks

[4g63power]

My guess is they probably got split up and got sold.

That would make sense I guess.. the mysterious dealings in the world of rod blanks

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"

[Cal]

sounds about right...

if I ever start a blank company, it's going to be called "Heresay Blanks"

[doomtrprz71]

Or start one called L00mis