I know this isn't a fly fishing question but here goes.

Does anyone know if there is a book detailing the history of B James rods? Failing that, can someone help me with the following query? I am trying to find out what type of handle I have on two B James rods I own. I know they manufactured rods with onion handles, trumpet handles and doughnut handles. The trouble is two of the rods I have don't seem to fall into any of those categories. If I was to hazard a guess then they look like small onions, although it doesn't look like the onion handle that is on another rod that I have which is also made by B James.

I hope that makes sense.

Simon,
post a picture if you can. I have owned many B James rods, which haven't fitted the normal categories. What type of rods do you have?

Well the two that are posing a problem are the "Richard Walker MK IV" and the "Avon Mk IV". Looking on various websites, these two particular rods seem to come with a variety of handles. I'm presuming this is down to what year the rods were made.

I'll get a photo and post it to show you what I mean.

OK. IMO the rod at the bottom has the classic onion shaped handle, whereas the one at the top doesn't seem to fit any of the categories that I have seen. Both these rods are Richard Walker Mk IV carp rods.

Hmm! You are quite right that the bottom handle is a true onion. The top one might be so termed by some, but, for me, it isn't, it's more of a doughnut hybrid. Rods with London England address, collars and hook-keepers are 1957'ish, by the way. I've got some info on this, (if I can find it!). I have such an Avon and would quite like to find a similar Carp to go with it.

Some of the early rods were whipped in green, I believe. Those with writing along a flat, rather than round the rod, were actually made by the great man himself, or at least signed by him if made by BJ. There is a way of telling which are which, but I've taken too much of the grape to remember at this moment....

ttfn
Richard