Does anyone know where I might purchase some exposed blank (with cutout in some catalogs) spinning seats in 16 or 17mm. Have looked extensively and can only find them in trigger seats. They must be out there as I have two 'store bought' rods with these seats.

Thanks all for the previous help on rod dryer speeds:

Den

Fuji makes skeleton spinning seats in those sizes. They're listed as SKM16 or SKM17 with a letter code for the color. They're just the hoods and a nut, but no insert. I don't really know of anything with a "cut-out."

Dennis,
I've used both the Fuji and Pac Bay skeleton seats with the cork inserts to achieve this. Ream the cork insert to desired I.D. and test fit, remove the cork and place reamer back in cork firmly and tape over both recessed ends. With fine half round file begin removing the top outer cork slowly where you want your palm to come in contact with blank, (in my case it has always been the entire area between the hoods). As soon as the file comes into contact with the reamer remove and slowly file and sand with fine grit paper, the half moon palm shape you are after. Test fit frequently to ensure your not removing too much material.
I have done many of these on Steelhead drift and float rods as well as trout rods with return customers that want nothing but now.

Good Luck, Joe

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/11/2005 08:42AM by Tom Kirkman.

I don't see how this would make the seat more comfortable. Are you sacrificing comfort for sensitivity?

I agree it for one will be uncomfortable and two you wont really gain any extra sensitivity. My advise for a very sensitive but more comfortable reel seat. Use the Pac Bay or fuji skeleton seet and make a insert whatever shape feels the best to you out of a DENSE material!! I.E. wood,plastic,resin,. I have tried a exposed seat only to find that I hated it and ruined a $5.00 seat and about $20.00 wood and about 6 hours of my life. I have also found that a convex shaped insert is alot more comfortable to fish with than a concaved insert. just remember to make the bottom of the insert fit the reel as well.

Gentlemen,

We are talking about detecting the slightest of strikes, shaving weight and "comfort" are we not ? The application of this type of seat I should have stated, is used only on a centered or reverse handle configuration. (Meaning equal amounts of cork fore and aft the seat or reverse "Skamania style".) When fishing the center, or especially reverse handle, the hand is always holding on the tip side of the seat similar to a fly rod. When handling/balancing the rod in this way it puts the outside lower edge of the palm in a top front center position on the seat, (barrel/ hood is now in the middle of the palm cradle void, not unlike the convex seat ). Right or left hand retrieve is not an issue as the seat can be shaved a bit on either side after it has been installed to accomodate either.
This seat keeps the hand lower to the rod and "incorporated" as opposed to cradling the reel foot between the fingers and having to suffer the upside down coat hanger effect all day!

Joe