Unique 7-pc Rod!

You got 'em, we know how to clean 'em
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john elder
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Unique 7-pc Rod!

Post by john elder »

Jon sent along this little blessing. It's only new life may be to be a total replacement of the wood sections. However, since it isn't going fishing again, regardless, let's see what can be done.

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Steve
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Post by Steve »

What good taste. At least we can't see any butt crack. yay-banana
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john elder
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Post by john elder »

aahhh, rod humor...just can't get enough of it :D
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Farace
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Post by Farace »

Interesting scarf joints. But what's wrong with it? :?

:wink:
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Ron Mc
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Post by Ron Mc »

here's the original taper:
Dr. James Henshall's specification for the bass rod (The Book of the Black Bass, 1881):

Total length, when put together, 8'3"
Length of each piece, 34-1/2", includng ferrules

Butt:
Extreme end of butt, 3/4" dia.
Small end of butt, 1/2" dia.
Grip or hand-piece, 1-1/16" dia.
Reel seat, 1" dia.

Second piece:
Large end, 7/16" dia.
small end, 17/64"

Tip:
large end, 1/4" dia.
small end, 3/32" dia.

reel-seat, 4" long
From extreme butt to reel-seat, 7"

weight about 9 oz.
"The angler who seeks lightness in the rod at the expense of anything is worse than an infidel." Messrs. Abbey and Imbrie.

He used a mix of different woods for the 3 pieces and said that, while split bamboo was nice, it was prohibitively expensive.
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Steve
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Post by Steve »

reel-seat, 4" long
From extreme butt to reel-seat, 7"
John's isn't a Henshall bass rod. Over time, the specs varied, and even Henshall described his personal use of an 8'1" Leonard split-bamboo version. Here are some commercial versions, as shown in a later edition of B.ofB.B. Various catalogs show all-wood versions, including combinations of lancewood and ash, which Henshall labeled as "standard." All were supposed to be strong, flexible, and light, somewhere in the 8' to 8'6" area, weighing something in the 9oz. area. John's looks like a much heavier ex-rod.
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john elder
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Post by john elder »

Yes, Jon's rod is a saltwater rod...would look great with an EVH 3/0 in the driver's seat!

it is now, once again, a 3-pc rod, but will require a bit more work to make prime time...wish I was sure of the type of wood I have here...it's a tight grain wood and doesn't have enough figuring to be hickory...maybe ash is the best bet, among the woods that were used (of which I'm familiar).

Late edit...on further examination of the rod, it could certainly be for black bass and would, in fact, be pretty light for saltwater...I don't believe I'd like to hook a tuna over 10-15 lb on this rod (when new), that's for sure!
Last edited by john elder on Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Farace
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Post by Farace »

I'm far from being an expert, but weren't greenheart and lancewood two popular rodbuilding materials?
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john elder
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Post by john elder »

Yes, along with Snakewood and hickory. With saltwater rods, many were composites of black palm and hickory. I believe that hornbean was also used and this rod has a lot of similarity go that wood. Beech is another possibility, based on grain pattern, but not much on use.
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john elder
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Post by john elder »

When I opened the box,
I received quite a shock,
The rod looked like something
Designed by Springbok!

An Adventure in Moving,
Took a side trip:
Moving truck 1,
Fishing rod Zip.

But thanks to some Titebond,
And an hour or ten,
The 7-piece rod
Is a 3-piece again!



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Robin Sayler
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Post by Robin Sayler »

Nice work...Just like new :D
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Steve
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Post by Steve »

Ode o'kudos:

Vive la difference 'twixt old rods and reels!
Though repairing of each takes forever,
With rods you just wait while your gluing congeals,
But with reels a part's always left over.
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Farace
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Post by Farace »

Wow, good job, John.
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