I'm no rod builder but I have a 1088 that I won in a raffle here a few years back and all I can say is that its one hell of a stick.By far my favorite rod in my collection.
there are still a few Allstar 1085/2 blanks in a shop in New Bedford, Mass available which I think fit the 1-3 ounce 9 foot stick quest better than the Rainshadow offerings. I have and use one all the time. 3 would absolutely be tops though IMHO.