Just a note for fellow rodbuilders-

I ordered three St. Croix Custom handle kits SG-14 from a large sponsor on this board. These are supposed to have the 7" butt cork. All three kits instead had a 6" butt grip. I was somewhat chagrined to first realize this after I had already installed one on an expensive St. Croix SCV blank, and it did not match my previous rods. All three kits look like they were labelled SG-14 at the St. Croix factory, rather than at the sponsor's store.

I like these kits because it is a one-stop shop- but beware- you still have to check all the components.

Did you tell the supplier and St Croix???

Notified the supplier, and assumed that they would notify St. Croix. I guess I had better take of it myself.

Just wanted to let folks out there know so that they don't have the same thing happen.

Yes. Notify St. Croix directly. You can email them at service@stcroixrods.com

Talked to phone sales rep at St. Croix. Seems the problem is with St. Croix, not Mudhole. The St. Croix Web site lists the same 7" butt cork as the Mudhole catalog, and the same ones I had obtained previously. The St. Croix bill of materials for that kit, however, lists a 6" butt cork- not in compliance with their web site or even their own catalog. To be safe, I ordered a kit with an 8" butt cork and will have to cut it down.

Cutting it down may not be the way to go. The handles in those kits are shaped, and when you shorten it it may not have an acceptable contour.

Glue some rings on, then shape it.