Details -

TL Johnson synergy blank. Fibreglass with a 'west coat USA' action ie relatively fast for glass or medium for carbon. Carbon scrim (no it wasn't Hardy's idea) and a fast physical taper on the blank to a chunky butt - end result crisp feel, fairly fast recovery, tip finesse and protection plus serious beef lower down.

6.5" FW grip with modified front taper, and reel seat barrel turned from 'flor' cork, no filler
Pac bay NS uplock skeleton mounted downlock on a spigot to step down a fat butt fibreglass blank
Two minima4 strippers, 8 Snake brand universal snakes and tiptop wrapped opposite the spine and spaced by static deflection and test casting
Gudebrod A#340 old gold finished with 5 coats spar no CP, accents tipped 3-turn silver

Trimming the blank for reel seat spigot, double sleeved spigot


The fitted spigot


Grip assembly and home "lathe"




Finished grip








Low build spar varnish finish



thanks for looking

Very nicely done sir, those blanks were a steal man. I casted a couple of his graphite rods also very nice. The guys i know that build and fish glass a lot love these and can't stop talking to me about them.
Nice components as well, the snake brands are a joy to work with..


Lovely rod i hope you enjoy fishing it..

Jerry

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When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

Superb build T, nice bit of cork as well.
S.

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"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

Very nice looks great.
gary
Nicho Bamboo Rod Co

This guy is selling Johnson blemish blanks and had a sale of blemish rods up till xmas. I got a 9'6" which has a spot on the tip section and, curiously, a slightly warped third section at the top which makes the tip stand out at an angle to the rest of the rod. I'ts a great rod, casts like a dream with a GT140 on it - although I got it without a fighting butt which was a bit ambitious - One could expect a rod with a straight line but given his appalling marketing and the lack of reviews it was a worthwhile investment which has convinced me to get another.

Its a cracking looking finish Taniwha. I'm a bit fed up with the high build epoxy now and fancy the look of your wraps - would you mind saying what the specific spar varnish you use and where should I buy it from?

Cheers
Ben

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Make Tea not War.

Thanks all

Ben, I use epiphanes spar, best mail order price here, pricey shipping as it is volatile -
Flint Hire & Supply Ltd Epifanes Clear Gloss Varnish

This stuff has a very high tung oil content and is pretty thick. Decant a small amount into a small basin, set in a dish of hot water to warm up then thin up to 10% with white spirit before applying.

Best applied with a toothpick, bodkin or similar in thin coats 24-48 hours apart. Work the varnish into the thread especially around the guide feet. Set guides down to help fill the tunnels (no turner needed) and wick away any excess after 15 minutes or so. You will need about 5 coats to just fill size A thread. Thread will usually go more or less transparent and darken considerably from spool colour, unless you use CP

After 4 coats set aside in a warm place for a week then razor or gently sand out any bumps or blips (1200 grit paper or fine fingernail buffer), then apply the final coat. Leave another week or three to fully cure the varnish before fishing. Varnish is pretty slow - but even slower if you glob it on.

Keep the tin well shut and sealed, keep it open for the shortest time possible. For guide wrap usage (a few mls per rod) it will go off long before you get through a 250ml tin. Also does for dip and wipe coats to (re)finish rods

Others say rustins and international schooner spar is OK too, but never tried them myself.

Thanks for putting all that together Taniwha, it's more than I expected and the details really going to help with the finish! I'm looking for that transparent effect so I will give the colour preserver a miss. Cheers for the link too - there's sailing shop down the road so I will give them a bell tomorrow.

Ben

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Make Tea not War.