I recently got two kingrods back from a customer for minor repairs. These rods were Seeker CLB 704's built blank-thru with slick butt sleeves. These rods had been fished hard on the SKA for two years, and although the customer had no complaints, I noticed a significant amount of marking on the sleeves from time spent in rod holders. Most of the best blanks for kingfishing, and stand-up are designed to be built as blank-thru construction, and do not lend themselves well to the use of an Aftco Unibutt. I have never seen this type of marking on a Unibutt, so I have to beleive that anodized aluminum finish on the Unibutt is significantly harder and more wear resistant than the nylon slick butts. With so many of the better, more high-tech blanks not being designed for Unibutt construction, it would seem that there might be a market for an anodized aluminum sleeve to be used as the slick butt sleeves are used. Blank-thru construction with more wear resistance and the ablility to be built lighter than a Unibutt. What are your thoughts along this line? I like slick butt construction, but is there something better? Or should there be?

I agree. I have used the slickbutts and have gone back to cordwrapped butts because the cord is easily replaced when worn and protects the rod well.

I would be interested in an alternative to slickbutts that is lightweight and durable.

'Sorry - double-post. -Cliff Hall+++



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/29/2005 11:07PM by Cliff Hall.

Could some household Soft Scrub cleanser-abrasive, or some buffing compound help restore the nylon finish of the Slick-Butt, after smoothing out any gouges? I don't have a boat, but some of those marine railing & cleat cleaners might do the trick, too. ... Just thinking out loud, had no need to try it. Don't want the battle-wear on the Huffman arsenal to be too obvious. Best Wishes, Lynn. LOL, -Cliff Hall+++

Now you are making me think that maybe some hardwere store anodized aluminum tubing may be better for a butt ?

Lynn,
I have noticed this as well. I think that the t top rocket launchers do the most damage. The last set that I built, I put the sleeve over a turned down piece of full leangth EVA instead of tape bushings or arbors. My thought was that it would be much eaisier to cut off the nylon butt and scrape off the EVA and replace from the butt end than to deal with the removal of epoxy and drywall tape, which is how I used to do it. Haven't had to replace one yet, but that was my thought process.

Lynn,

Batson has a stainless steel 12" butt sleeve under their salt water section (misc) that is right next tp the nylon sleeves. Check it out and see if it will work. Gary

Thanks to all. I'll check on that 12" SS sleeve.
Lynn

How would you install a reel seat and gimbal flush to the Batson (SSCAP138) Stainless Steel Cap

OD is 1.46
ID is 1.38

Any one ever install the Batson SS Cap on a standup???

Got my answer from Batson:

"The SSCAP has a cap welded on one end commonly used for Surf rods as a large butt cap to protect the butt end of blank. They will stuff their rods into rock jetty ect. Instead of using a rod holder. I think the Slick butt may be a better choice so you can add the gimbal the AG27 fits this best without a butt cap with a cap use the AG25.also comes with one trim ring for reel seat end."