Smith Tokara

[Chris Young]

Hi Kevin

The Fire Vortex is a very strong rod.
Gordon Low (a member on here) has one , he is a big man and said he was lifting Duncans heels off the ground when loading it (with no gimbal).
I have a Diamond 77 which is one of the lightest in GT range rated PE5-8. I recon it is every bit of PE8. I am running SMP PE8 on it and so far have no issues with the lowrider guides.
The prices on that link seem very good, prices here have become scary since exchange rates changed!!.

Cheers

[Kevin Li]

Thanks for the feedback Chris. How do you find the grip? I like long grip for casting.
Actually how long is the grip from the butt cap to the reelseat?
What is the size of the stripper guide?

[Chris Young]

I have it in a rack next to a KD, the rear grips are identical, the fore grip on the PD is 50mm longer.
The stripper guide is size 20 high foot lowrider, it actually holds the line farther away from the blank than the 40 on the KD!

[Brock Arifovic]

Gordon is a big softie & Duncan is a light weight. Sorry guys had to say it.
But i do believe the rod is a bit of a telephone pole.

PS: Gordon i can't wait to see you use it @ Bugatti.I will have the video camera ready.

[Chris Young]

Brock.......I wonder what will break first, the fish , the line PE12 or the cage on the dory

[Kenny Tan]

The PD Black Diamond onwards is already pretty scary.

I fish with the PD Diamond 77 as well and no issue with the low rider guides either. Waiting to test the Platinum 84 next month. 

[Andy Rowe]

Kenny,

Have you tried the 'Extreme 80'??

How long is the handle, I would like to compare it to my old 7 seas GT80Ti.

Thanks

[Brock Arifovic]

Chris

I said to Aaron when he told me that Gordon bought that rod, the cage will be the first thing to give way, especially when i am laughing at him. I have a few things to say to Gordon as he is fighting the fish that will make him go harder.

Order"

Cage
Rod
Gordon

Myself rolling around in tears of laughter!!!! PRICELESS

[Kenny Tan]

Andy

I don't have the Extreme 80. I can check the handle lenghth from my pal who have this model.

[Brandon Khoo]

Kevin - are you sure you want a Fire Vortex?!   
It'll be suitable if you're pressing about 150kgs in the gym.

[Kevin Li]

If I can't get an UHL, I'll go with PD as I can get it from SG.

What model in the PD range has the same power level as a UHL? 

As for the gym, I train 3 times a week and for now squatting 90kg.

[Brandon Khoo]

maybe Aaron can comment on this seeing he has a UHL and is familiar with the range of PDs
The only person I know who has a Fire Vortex now is Gordon Low - maybe Aaron can tell us what weight he can squat (I'm not being facetious, by the way)

If I can't get an UHL, I'll go with PD as I can get it from SG.

What model in the PD range has the same power level as a UHL? 

As for the gym, I train 3 times a week and for now squatting 90kg.

[Mick Cunningham]

If I can't get an UHL, I'll go with PD as I can get it from SG.

What model in the PD range has the same power level as a UHL? 

As for the gym, I train 3 times a week and for now squatting 90kg.

hi there
oh kevin i have been looking for the UHL of course i love the carpenter but i can,t get one cos they are hard to get so i have gave it up and end up with the PD black diamond 77
( P.S i am 85kg )

i talked to Aaron as i was told that the PD black diamond 77 is alike the UHL maybe a bit stronger not sure but Aaron own them both so he can tell the different (Aaron should be about 95kg)

i would stay away from the fire vortex too much power on it i not think i can hold on 

[Kevin Li]

Hi, thanks for the feedback. I'm 77kg and still will be pushing more on the squat as I've been training for 7 months now. I've to be realistic that pushing twice my body weight on the press would be nearly impossible!

The fighting would definitely be a problem as you guys are heavier than I am and are happy with the black diamond 77. What is stunning is that there's also a black mafia which is suppose to be AAA rating! I think what ever I choose I will be ok with the casting.

BTW, are the rod weight light compared to other brands?

How does it split up in two? Handle+ tip?

[Andy Rowe]

BTW, are the rod weight light compared to other brands?

How does it split up in two? Handle+ tip?

Kevin, these are the heavy weights when compared to other Japanese brands,

Eg. Fire vortex 540gm, black diamond 77 500gm. over 100gm on some of the other high-end Japanese producers.

They part at the handle like the others