The F1-MA departs from conventional thinking by a quantum leap. We have started from a position that we require a neutral taper in the butt section: the butt is therefore parallel and incredibly just over ½" in diameter at its base. This allows us to position the power bands in exactly the areas that will generate maximum tip speed. The design of the rod is now governed by the materials and is less reliant on a fixed taper, which hitherto had a disproportionate influence on design and performance. This is one of the reasons why all our World Records have been achieved with parallel butts.

Century use a complex series of ultra high modulus, high modulus and intermediate modulus carbon patterns cross-linked in the axis of the rod. The hoop strength is increased with the use of 1K-1K carbon twill and special cross wrap carbon fibre interply which we call AT-T. The new action in the tip blends into the butt with a flowing arc when under compression and acts like a pretensioned spring. The rod is incredibly quick in recovery and the virtues of braided line can be used to the maximum. Conventional line is well protected and the revised action really helps prevent hook pulls. Casting distances in excess of 200 yards have been a regular feature of our development programme and the tip has many of playing characteristics of the Century FBS range. A truly remarkable combination fused at birth in the autoclave for action retention and total integrity.