A couple of questions about blocks:
1. What brands are considered the best?
2. What brands do you buy and why? Cost, value, availability, dependability, performance, found em at a flea market?
Were you sailing today E of the Oak Island bridge?
Unfortunately, that wasn't me.
Depends on what I'm using them for. Practical Sailor spoke highly of Garhauer (http://garhauermarine.com/), they might even be OEM on ComPac now? In any case, I've ordered genoa track cars with stand-up blocks for two different boats and been very happy with them. When it comes time to replace other larger blocks, I plan to use Garhauer. The biggest downside is shipping cost (I'm too used to Amazon Prime).
For smaller blocks I usually end up with Harken or Schaefer, just depends on availability and relative price.
Mostly Harken. Really depends on the use. One tip though. Be careful when using Sailkote as a lubricant for Delrin bearings. It's too slick and will cause a sheer on the bearings. Use One
Drop instead.