This is a really nice rod. When I first saw this rod I thought, "This is different". And having used it a couple of times I still think so. In spite of having "Fast" printed on the blank it is a far cry from an unresponsive, useless broomstick. It is sensitive, bends deeply into the handle, loads up weel and releases the power in an elegant and smooth manner, yet with sufficient brawn. The swing weight feels light, and I feel confident when casting tight loops into the wind. The handle has been easy to get used to, and I hardly notice the different feeling in the hand anymore. Instead I enjoy the benefits of it: The blank working more freely, good grip with wet and/or slimy hands, and the absense of the cork creaking when put under stress as is often the case with massive handles. I can safely say that I recommend this rod.