This is the bamboo blank I got with the rattan grip I posted earlier. I stripped it down to the blank. Used reel seat and guides from a graphite rod I built, but broke the tip off. Made the walnut handle forend. Re-finished blank, retied guides and polished ferrels. The only thing I bought was a cork grip and a tip top. Is a 7'-0" three piece that will hit the water in a couple of months.
Single foot guides on bamboo?? Now that's a FrAnKen roD! Nice job, wait a couple of months? I'm still fishing bamboo on the wet side....
Is that cork grip misshapen? On purpose for fit?? Perhaps it is the photo? I like the idea of single foot guides. Jack
Finished the blank with a little linseed oil to darken, several coats of u40 permagloss then lightly rubbed with fine steel wool to give a satin look. Have to wait a couple of months because I live on the white side. About 2 feet of snow at my cabin, makes fishing a bitch. Next the runoff will start and make it nearly impossible. May/June at the earliest. Handle is not mishapen, must be an optical illusion in the photo. It is really the Frankenrod, but I am only into it about $35.00
KB2. I didn't think so. Just the way the lighting is. Thought maybe was a custom fit to the heel of the hand. I really like the walnut forend. I must tell you that the first and only bamboo rod I made came out great except that after it was all glued up and ready to go I realized I left off the winding check! I'm afraid to take it apart to fix my goof. If I ever do, I might incorporate a nice wood forend like yours. Nice work KB2. Jack
