What is a Blem?

Blank manufacturers have quality control systems. When blanks are manufactured they are graded based upon how well they fit the manufacturers quality control standards. In general three quality standards existing, the fist is a "blank" quality blank, the second is a "rod" quality blank and the third is a "blem" quality blank. If you must ask, the fourth standard is the garbage can - blanks that are badly bent, structurally not sound and technically flawed are destroyed at the manufacturer.

So you ask what makes a "blem" a "blem" quality blank - that depends on the manufacturer and their quality control standards. The higher the standard, the better quality the blem. As a leader and one of the largest blank manufacturer in the USA, Lamiglas has some very high standards. Therefore, many of the blanks they produce do not meet their standard and are sold as blems. Through a purchasing agreement with Lamiglas, we purchase all the blems they produce and offer them for sale on our web site.

What make these blanks Blems?

A blem is a blank that only has cosmetic problems - structurally the blanks are fine. A cosmetic problem can be several things.

1. FINISH - The most common cosmetic problem is with the finish. After being sanded blanks are coated with a clear coat sealant, the process of applying this sealant is an art form as much as anything else. Many times the blank finish runs, sags, drips or gets touched by on object before it dries. Most of these finishing problems occur in the tip sections or in the butt areas (which we be covered up by the handle assembly in most cases).
2. NOT TO SPECIFICATION - Blanks are made to specific specifications, i.e. tip size, butt diameter, taper. Some times somewhere in the manufacturing process the blank gets "out of range" and does not meet its specification. The most common problems are lengths are to long or to short after trimming, butt and tip sizes do not meet specification.
3. WAIVE - To make a blank, graphite of fiberglass cloth is wrapped around a tapered metal rod called a mandrel. When the mandrel is pulled (with great force) out from the blank, the blank material can deform. This deformation creates a waive pattern in the blank. The blank is straight, but a slight wave can be seen in the blank when it is eyed down its' centerline.
4. CURVED - A blank can become curved and bent for many reasons. Most of the bends and curved sections of blem occur in upper one-third or tip section of a blank. Badly bent blanks are destroyed at the factory, we inspect each blank when it is received and when it is shipped and if we think the blem blank is curved to the point that it is not suitable for rod building we set it aside and do not sell it as a blem.

Is there a Warranty?

Yes, Mud Hole will offer a 90 day no questions asked warranty. The Lamiglas warranty DOES NOT APPLY.

Still have Questions?

Please feel free and email us at sales@mudhole.com or call us at 407-277-0099 and we will be happy to discuss our blems and answer your questions about them. Please do not call or email Lamiglas to inquire about these blems - honesty they do not know about them as we buy all they manufacture. Simply put - we have them in our shop and Lamiglas can not pull one off the shelf to comment about it. Please direct your inquires to us at sales@mudhole.com and we can pull the model off the shelf that you are interested in and give you all the details about it. Thanks for you understanding.

Why Buy Blems?

The reasons are numerous - Conservation and saving waste, offering beginners an economical selection of blanks, offering a chance to try out a new model blank and a fraction of the cost, making it economical to make rods for friends and family members. Blems make great practice blanks! Want to try a Roberts Wrap? or a new epoxy coating? or a new installation method? Blems are perfect for these types of "what if" sinarios

As stated above, we purchase all the blems Lamiglas makes sight unseen. We get a great purchasing price when we do this and we pass the savings on the you our customers. This savings results at blems offered for sale at 95% off retail. This saving might be the difference between making a rod and not making a rod for your self, a friend or family member.

Blems are not for everyone. If you are making rods for sale, unless you notify your custom before hand that it is a blem, you are not serving the best interests of you customer.

Still not sure?

Still don't feel comfortable purchasing a blem - that is fine, we understand and we offer thousands of first quality blanks for you to choose from by clicking HERE.

PLEASE EMAIL US YOUR QUESTIONS AT SALES@MUDHOLE.COM OR CALL US AT 407-277-0099.