I had a customer bring me two rods to swap grips on. The favored grip was on a broken Thorne Bros. rods and the rod it was to go on, came from a large sporting goods chain. Both grips were removed by using hot water to loosen the epoxy holding them on. There was very little epoxy and masking tape on the Thorne Bros. rod and the blank extended into the cork by approx. 6". In addition, one masking tape arbor was not permeated by the epoxy. The other two were as that was the only place that epoxy was applied, on the tape. The chain store rod on the other hand, had only 3" of blank extending into the cork grip but the cork was bored just large enough to slip over the butt. At least there is a life time warranty on Thorne Bros. products should that grip have failed. The feel of that grip was hollow and certainly didn't give the St. Croix blank it's full potential. If the store rod's grip had weakened it most likely would have pulled free of the blank since there was so little to support it to begin with. I suggest taking photos of things such as this. Keep them in an album so that when someone asks you what you do that is different than the other guys or from a "factory" rod, you can show them. We all have our own way of doing things, both with material choices and techniques and that is fine. Just be sure to do it well. The individual's work makes the difference. My 2 cents. Opinions? Thanks all.
Ray

I build alot of ice rods useing st.criox ice blanks with 8"tenn.handles.I run the handle in and out 5 to 6 times, add epoxy each time to get plenty of it in side the handle.If the thorne bro. rod is life time warranty why did your customer bring it to you,why not them.I live in the same state they are in and was just wondering.if you took pic I sure would like a copy if you did'nt mind.you could e-mail them

And people ask Why a custom rod?

I use light wood like balsa or lace wood and a size 16 reel seat. In my opinion it makes for a better quality ice rod. most the guys I build them for want them just because it has a good reel seat.

I used to get, let's say....."upset" with people who brought cheap rods in for repair. When asked why they buy this stuff, 99% tell me it is the ole "Buy one and, if you break it, you get two free". Most of my customers do not fall for this and do not look at a quality fishing rod as something to use once and throw away. About half of my business was built on people who brought cheap rods in for repair, after going through the proctoology exam process of trying to return a broken rod.

Someone once asked me "Besides the blank manufacturer guarantee, what guarantee do you offer on your workmanship?. We were in my shop which is slightly detatched from my home and I told him to look around. I have been in the same place for 24 years. I have no plans to move out of the country anytime soon. If you call me with a problem, you will talk to someone breathing, with a pulse. He ordered three rods. None have been returned..............

Obviously, Raymond Mazza and quite a few other rodbuilders have a sense of responsibility and ownership in what they do. I try to do the same.

Bill,
The Thorne Bros. rod blank was broken due to carelessness and the gentelman wanted the grip removed and placed on the Chain Store Rod. I do have pictures and I'll send them to you later.
Ray

THANKS RAYMOND...I'LL BE LOOKIN FOR THEM...BY THE WAY CHECK YOUR WANTED ADD...I GOT SOME INFO FOR YOU...BILL