Today I’m going to answer another question that has been on the mind of several of our readers. The question, “Is there a difference between carbon and graphite rods?” My guess is that some of you are looking for your next rod, and have noticed that more manufacturers are using the term “carbon blank” these days.

I guess the only way to answer this question is to start with a little bit of background. 

The Science Behind Carbon And Graphite

To begin with, carbon is the basis for graphite which is a polymorph of the element carbon just as a diamond is. Obviously there are stark differences in the two.

Diamond is the hardest mineral known to man, graphite is one of the softest. Diamond is an excellent electrical insulator, graphite is a good conductor. Diamond is the ultimate abrasive, graphite is a very good dry lubricant. Diamond is usually transparent, graphite is opaque.

Just a word of caution here: After reading this, don’t go tell your wife that her diamond ring is nothing but carbon. You may not be prepared for the response!

Anyway, with those contrasts in mind, we see how varied the end result can be of things that are made up of the same element. So how do we get from pencil lead to a diamond using the same material as the building block? Much like the manufacturing of rod blanks, it’s all in what is done with and to the basic carbon atom. And believe it or not, this is where we will shed some light on the confusion of the two terms.

As Andrew Marshall points out in his book Composite Basics,

“From the inception … the scientists involved couldn’t seem to agree on exactly what it was they were producing. Some called it “carbon fibre”, while other equally qualified authorities termed it, “graphite fibre.”

Now why in the world would these guys have this difference of opinion? It has to do with the process of creating what is the base material we now use for rod blanks.

Graphitization

To make a long story short and skip a whole lot of technical blather, the final stage of this process involves enormous heat and is referred to as graphitization. Some have said that this is what has spurred the debate. Some very intelligent folks who came up with this process just couldn’t get together on what the correct name of the end result should be.

In the final analysis, one can certainly make the case that the terms carbon fibre and graphite fibre refer to the same thing. So what, if any, are the real differences? In a word, there are none. It all has to do with the manufacturing process.

The two main rod manufacturing techniques employ using either pre/preg(pre-impregnated sheets of fibre cloth) or individually wound. Individually wound blanks tend to be more expensive but have a better control of fibre orientation. This is then bound by resin or resins and of course, the components are added as well as the finish.

So does any of this information help you in choosing one rod over another? Probably not.

Are there any real differences in products touting a carbon blank as opposed to a graphite blank? Probably not.

The thing to keep in mind here is that so much of your decision should be based on two far more important criteria. One, what techniques are you getting this new rod for? Two, how does it feel to you?

These are the questions that we always ask ourselves before buying a new rod. We are looking for a tool to fill a specific need that we have. All the hype and pomp pales when you’re out on the water and find that what you have in hand doesn’t do the job for which it was intended.

So take the time to look at rods without any preconceptions in mind other than will this stick do what I want it to do? Will it perform comfortably all day? Is it going to be well balanced with the reel or reels you are going to use with it? Answer these questions objectively and honestly and the vast majority of the time, you’ll pick a winner.

See ya’ on the water …