Flyrods are not my normal build, however I have made several. What blanks and or components would you folks suggest. This customer wants good quality but not excessively expensive. (Don't we all) What length, action. guide types, handle shape do you recommend. What about wooden handles?

I don't think anyone can give random recommendations for something that will ultimately have to be based on particular criteria. Before I'd be able to help I'd have to know what type fishing the guy is doing, what he's throwing, hand size, etc., etc., etc.

Wood handles on a fly rod are fine. Again, really depends on what the customer prefers.

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I had the same questions as Tom but then I went back and saw the topic head. A steelhead rod! A lot of people use 10 footers now. Personally I stick with a 9 foot rod in a 9 weight. I also have some 8 weights. They are a little more pleasant to use because they are a little lighter.

I like a moderate/fast action and have been using Single Foot guides mostly. I use wire on the smaller trout stuff and ceramics on the bigger stuff. Still get down to size 7 running guides though. I like a full wells in a rod that length and size. Haven't tried any wood handles but might like to at some point.

I have a 10 ft. Dan Craft Sig.V in a 7 wt. that is ideal for steelhead. Light enough to cast all day, strong enough to fight 30"+ fish. I'd use a double wells grip, fighting butt and woven graphite or PacBay channel lock reelseat, and I prefer snake guides, as they seem to ice up less.

To me a 9 of 10 wt are a winter, heavy water, big fish rod. For the average fish/average NW water I use an 8 wt. My 10 wt doesn't leave the cabinet unless it's 20 lb or better March "B" runs or chinook salmon, they just wear you out compared to a good 8 wt. I really like the Dan Craft products both for the value, performance and diverse line of blanks. Have quite a few customers that really like their Rainshadow RX7s, not the lightest or fanciest, but they reliably fish well under real world steelhead conditions unlike some of the top end fast action rods I can think of.
Wood grips are very nice, the lace wood grip and reelseat I received form FishSticks4U has been a joy to fish with on a Dan Craft Sig III, 5 piece, 8 wt.

I've had good luck with both Rainshadow and St. Croix models in 9' 8wt. I use the Ritz grip so the user can alter his hand spacing during the day without getting cramps. It's become my favorite grip style.

There are some guys who use these rods with reels loaded with mono and they flip with split shot. Ask your customer about that. I know this is done a lot in the upper midwest around the Great Lakes.

That's true but you don't have to build it any differently to use the mono-split shot set up.

I'd look hard at the Batson Rainshadow IF908 RX7. It's not expensive, pretty tough and will get the job done. The Croix SCIV in a 9' #8 would also be a great choice but will run you more $$$.