I recently acquired two David Darnell Engle fishing rods, these rods were made in the early nineteen hundreds and were made from rare exotic wood. The wrapping on the rod are simply amazing. The reel butts on one of the rods is marked sterling silver.
However the shellac finish on the rods literally looks like it is melting off. The wrapping on the rods are so amazing I'm afraid to try and remove the shellac without hurting the wrapping. Does anyone know if it is possible to remove the shellac without hurting the wrapping? Does anyone know someone who might be able to restore them. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks Tony
The wraps can be easily saved during restoration if the person knows what they're doing. Just my opinion, but I'd leave the one butt section as is, except for polishing the metal. Looks nice to me.
Are you sure it is Shellac and not a later over varnish? This will not work on Shellac but if it is old over varnish it is easy to remove it. I have had great success on over varnished older rods using a simple washcloth with some ammonia on it simply softly rubbing the rod. The darker the varnish has turned the easier it is to remove.
I love to get old reels, work on them until they run as smooth as silk and the take them fishing using pre-1960 plugs, mostly surface fishing for Largemouths after dark.
Beautiful rods Tony! I had to walk away from them as I didn’t know how to handle the conditions and preserving the wrappings! Please keep me/us/everyone updated with the “AFTER” photos....Tight Lines Nick
Wanted Ultra rare salt water reels including big game as well as unknown rare surf reels!
