Just picked up a Compac 3 piece fly rod 8.6 length. Guides and original wraps are in good condition . Was going to strip , rewind with new guides, etc but see no need. Someone mentioned Tru oil for rod (gunstock finish). Any comments. Hate to buy Varnish for one rod. Windings are verigated and original. Can I use Flex coat? Not much sign of original coating but plan to give whole thing a scrub with acetone. Thanks Bill Gaude

I use Tru Oil finish on bamboo rods that I restore. I produces a very nice finish with a "hand rubbed" look (which of course it is); I prefer it to varnish. The bottle is small and inexpensive (about $10 I think) and it will last you two lifetimes of bamboo rod building. I would keep bamboo rods and acetone far away from each other! I use only alcohol, and them minimally. Bamboo is a natural, absorbent grass; it's as far away from impermeable graphite as you can get. Proceed with patience and caution; you'll be happy with the result.

Jim

Bill -
PLEASE STOP! If this rod is in 1/2 the decent condition that you describe (guides all in place/windings good) you should not consider stripping or "scrubbing". Unless you know that this rod has NO VALUE as a collectable piece you ought not change it. Are there any labels in place? If so how legible are they? I would urge you to take a photo or two and post it to one of the Collectable Bamboo rod web sites before you do anything to it.

Appreciate your reply- since everything is in good shape, I am not "restoring". Forgot to list the following- Compac F-2092 "Golden". This will be used for fishing but an interested in any information on it. The label on case says registered (not readable) and product of (not readable). Nothing on rod. thanks

Bill,
I tried to look up the rod based on the information you gave but had no luck at all. In the meantime I did find this item on @#$%& which is what I've used many times to remove surface gunk from cane rods. Musical instrument (guitar polish) also works well. @#$%& item:
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It looks "hokey" and something out of the early 1950's but does the job.

No real need to worry about any "value" this rod might have, it's what's know as an "occupation rod", meaning made in Japan after WWII and sold to G.I.'s by the thousands. There are so many of them left in the world that they aren't worth much.
john

John,
Do you have any idea what the full label says and/or what the design of the label is? I've started a small catalog/ database of "odd ball" bamboo rods because I'm asked questions on origin/maker time frame. Of course you're right today most of the 'occupation' rods aren't worth much but some are increasing in price especially those with the "prettier" labels and those acutally marked "occupied Japan". If you have any more information about origin / years of manufacture or whatever I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance for your time.

Ken;
I'm sorry, but I don't have any further data. I haven't made much of a study of these things, I recognize them when I see them, and know their names when I hear them, but other than a rough idea of current market value, I don't really know that much about the individual companies.
john

Thanks John. I just figured it would be easier to start cataloging these things before they got really hard to find good examples of. Try to get the wrap colors and spacings, basic materials used on the guides, ferrules. Something similar to what has been done for the more collectable bamboo from American and English makers.