All of the older bamboo rod manufacturers had their own methods of building rods, some good some not good. For instance some of the manufactures did not heat treat the cane, and some used less the desirable varnishes to keep moisture out of the cane.
This is why you see lots of refinished rods, especially the production rods like the Shakespeare's, and South bends on ebay that have been refinished. If they have been refinished properly, then they would be good rods. But that leaves a lot of variables in the craftsman who did the work.
The impregnated rods, are best in my opinion, because they are treated completely through the rod to manage moisture. I have several impregnated rods, and have fished them hard in some of the worst weather, ice, rain very low temperatures, and they all are still functioning and working well.
The fact that there are so many around, and still fishing well after 60 plus years, is a testament in itself. I fish a rod that was made in 1949, and it casts and fights fish perfectly. Most of the rods I own are Orvis, and most are 30 plus years old.
I fish them hard, and often, with out incident.
Just my humble opinion
