So, let's hear some "rules" about rod refinishing!

[john elder]

Just went thru the Reel News and Roger's painful story about getting hosed by a "RodMan" reminded me of how little I knew about that world. Being a scavenger always looking to pay for my painted stick and reel habits, i've dabbled a bit in rod buying/selling. However, after having my head handed to me on a couple occasions, I came to the conclusion that if the rod wasn't in untouched condition, I wasn't going there again (mainly fly rods here...good salt rods for fishing always do well). The point of this diatribe is that I guess I was shocked that refinishing rods would be an exceptable behaviour if it was for collecting. What about re-varnishing where the old varnish had broken down? Thoughts on this issue, folks?

[JeffK]

I am a rod collector first, and everything else second. The core of my collection is rods from about 1880-1910. Were I buying these strictly for display I'd buy the best I can and leave them alone except for replacement of necessary wraps and guides. I prefer to fish mine when time allows so I tend to buy with the intention of refinishing/restoring as required. IMHO, touchup of chipped varnish on a rod that's 100+ years old is not too different from trying to touch up worn nickel plating. That way lies madness. Finish touchup on rods that old is rarely successful in a reasonable amount of time. Between varnish color matching, application, drying,and polishing I'm far better off simply completely stripping and redoing. Just my opinion, mind you.
There are techniques that allow complete stripping of the finish without removing any of the thread work. Done correctly it's a great way to maintain most of the original work while still providing adequate protection.
So, since I'm not Bill Gates, I have a collection with quite a waiting list for refurbishing but I'm saving the best for last. My Bangor Leonard and my Kosmics will be done when I have the varnish aspect down pat. The other rods deserve my attention, the real scarce ones deserve my best.
The rod in the article could have been made by Divine, Thomas&Edwards, Montague, Landman, or others. Accurate assessment of the rods origins and needs is recommended before investing too much in it. But I think that was really the moral of the story.

[Jack Bright]

For a real professional opinion, etc. contact Bob Summers in Traverse
City, Michigan. This very nice craftsman, learned and worked with the
well known Paul H. Young and now makes excuisite bamboo fly rods that
equal or surpass rod makers of today. Believe he`s in the Roster Issue.

[Richard Lodge]

Deep water indeed, when you start talking about identifying old rods and refinishing / or not refinishing. I bought the odd, beat-up and always inexpensive bamboo rod a few years ago and eventually found Michael Sinclair's excellent, spiral-bound book "Bamboo Rod REstoration Handbook," "Complete with a guide to original productoin rod specifications." If you have yearned for more info about how to ID what you think is an old Monty or South Bend or Shakespeare or Divine, the book is a must to have. Also, if you're tempted to try your hand at refinishing, you have to buy this book first, so you don't screw anything up that can't be undone. Jack is right about Bob Summers, but there are a lot of reputable rod builders and restorers out there who can be consulted if you have what you know is a valuable and/or historic rod and you want to sink the money into someone else restoring it. Sinclair used to refinish and restore rods and you should check out Goldenwitch.com for supplies and advice on rod refinishing or restoring materials. They also strip, rewrap and revarnish rods, but that does run into the many hundreds of dollars, just to get the old varnish off and high-quality new varnish on.
Anyway, from one who has messed up a couple of mid-level refinishing jobs, read up on it first, before you even start the work, and seek out a rod maker or refinisher for advice if you can.

[CJ]

Not really on the same subject..refinishing that is. But anyway, are there any reference books / book available that can assist in identifying those old bamboo rods that have no apparent identification markings? I come across so many old, really neat rods ... especially the old boat rods similar to the montagues etc., that have no markings, same with fly rods. I like the old rods but many times they are unmarked on the rod itself, reelseat or butt so I am left to wonder the origin. Any input on this, a book or maybe some websites to help me with identification and history of makers?...Thanks for any help, Chris

[JeffK]

(If your interest is anything other than freshwater rods, skip this reply)
For references, I use the aforementioned Michael Sinclair book along with AJ Campbell’s Classic and Antique Fishing Tackle. Both of mine are well-worn and soiled, and have helped guide me through countless ‘mystery rod’ evaluations. It may not pay to invest in the two of them if you only intend to buy a rod occasionally but they’ve proven themselves to be invaluable for anyone collecting. Marty Keane’s Classic Rods and Rodmakers is helpful too, though it focuses primarily on high-end makers and makes no mention of the millions of rods that were purchased by the average Joe. Prior to WW II, all the major rod making companies were cranking out in excess of 100,000 bamboo rods per year, a large percentage of which regularly show up on ebay, in yard sales, and estate auctions. In contrast, high end makers like Garrison and Gillum had lifetime totals counted in hundreds. Campbell’s book is available in softcover only these days. HC copies still show up now and then on ebay, but for about $15 you can pick up the soft cover version. Sinclair’s book originally went for $25 and has been out of print for a few years, so naturally (!) you can expect to pay anywhere from $75-200 for a used copy now. Keane’s book is only available as a used HC since no softcover was ever printed, and the scarcity of that one has driven the price of a used one to $150-200.
There’s a new kid on the block for old rods. Jeff Hatton, a maker from Colorado, recently wrote a book devoted to the early rods. It has 900 color photos and will become another mainstay for those of us who like the moldy old sticks made in the half century after the Civil War. If you are just as interested in the history as you are in the performance of the rod then you may want to look this one up. Just released within the last two months, it is available through all the normal channels. I’m buying mine directly from the author, and I’ll be paying full boat for it since I know Jeff and I also figure that the stockholders of Amazon-dot-com already eat well enough. Anyone who wants Jeff’s address can email me for it. It won’t be any overnight delivery when you by one from Jeff since he’s a one-man operation but if you don’t need answers overnight it won’t matter I guess. BTW, this one is available in softcover, hard cover, and slipcased limited editions. (Rod Crafting by Jeffrey L. Hatton)
Web-wise, there are sites catering to lovers of bamboo rods and at least 5 or 6 are on my favorites list. I recommend only one, though: Clark’s. Though Clark has divested himself of any direct interest, there is a core of avid enthusiasts there who can steer you to the answers to over 90% of your bamboo questions. Try lurking there for a month or two and use the search function to browse through the extensive archives before you ask any questions.
Lastly, if you are within reasonable driving distance of Boxborough, Mass drive there twice a year and stroll around through the dealer show at Lang’s auction. Many Clark-ites (yours truly included) are in residence there and there’s nothing like face to face communication in this cyber age we live in.

[CJ]

Much appreciated Jeff. Thanks

[SWIM JIG]

cool-thumb USA Ok this may be a answere to cane rod repairs, I friend of mine in New Jersy sent me this imfo, ( Michael Longuil 226 Gilbert Ave Pearl River , New York 10965) phone 1-845-735-5516) email (web site http:/mysite.verison.net/bamboo.mike.indext.html ) This may be a starting place for those needing repair or reworks or a new made rod! Your ohio Conection on Lake Erie at83 degress Col. m. Lorens aka SWIM JIG

[Harvey]

Carl, not Roger as John stated, (Sorry John) brought that new/old rod to Columbia Lakes to show just what he was talking about. I will agree that the rod was ruined as for an antique perspective but boy it was beautiful. Problem was it was like putting an Easter bonnet on an ugly girl. It looked so out of place and it wasn't re-varnished. It had an epoxy finish and that made it look awful. Later myself and someone else, don't remember who all was involved, started a conversation on this subject. We were joined by maybe four others and everyone had a different opinion. Do you strip, patch, replace etc.? What about an angler that bought a new rod in 1904 and used it then had it refinished for his own personal use in 1910. Is it original? Do we refinish to the original makers specifications and it is still OK? As far as doing it the way the original maker did it, what about Garrison rods. He supposedly placed his rods into a vertical pipe of heated varnish and lifted them out at the exact rate of the drying process of the varnish. Do rod re-builders take this into account? We discussed a ton of different things on rod restorations and when we broke our group up, we had settled nothing except we did agree to disagree. We all know that there are some that can fool a fox into believing that a chicken doesn’t taste good as Carl found out. My advise is do what ever you think and feel satisfies your taste but let others know when or if you pass that item along.
That’s my box and I am standing on it.
“H”