Hello people, I am new to rod building, I have just finished my third rod and am thinking about making custom handles. Have been looking at the photo gallery and have seen some awesome handles. Want to know how the handles are made with the checker and diamond patterns. Have never seen this before. I was thinking you burn them on, with maybe a templete with the shape cut out or something. If any one does this with thier handles and would be nice enough to give up some info, would apreciate greatly. Even what the best cork to use is would help. thank.

Are you talking about cork or wood? I believe Custom Tackle has an aluminum jig for slicing cork so you can make either checkerboard or diamond patterns. At least I think that's where I bought mine. Andy Dear's exotic burl cork works really well for that stuff. If you're talking about wood, that's a whole different issue.

RodMaker Magazine has plans for making about anything you've seen on the photo page.

Generally, handles with any type of pattern are created by alternating rings of various materials or wood or cork types . Or, cutting various similial materials and then rearranging them as they go back together.

Some patterns will require a jig to cut your pieces. Others are achieved simply by alternating the materials themselves.

............

Eric,
Here a pix of the jigs (from Custom Tackle) that are used.
[www.rodbuilding.org]
[www.rodbuilding.org]

They are cut and glued like this (there are numerous methods of glueong them up) [www.rodbuilding.org]
Feel free to e-mail me.

Like Tom said, Rodmaker magazine has run many great articles on various custom grip techniques. Check out there web site and look up back issues


Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

to Gerry I was talking about cork handles. Tom and Mike thanks for the info. Thanks for the pictures I have never seen those in my rod building magazines. I am at work so it takes me awhile to make a reply.

This mag has any new and old ideas. Shows you how to do it all. Get yourself a subscription
[www.rodmakermagazine.com]

Check the site, you can also get back issues of things your interested in.

Check out the custom handles at Merrick Tackle

[www.merricktackle.com]

Or check in the custom components section [www.merricktackle.com]


Interested in some retail prices, call us at ACK Fishing, Merrick for wholesale customers.

[www.ackfishing.com]

Peter Maltby
Toll Free 866-285-0673

And Andy might have even a better one to cut checker boards. Huh Do ya Andy, Do ya????



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/29/2006 08:14PM by Bill Worden.