I'm a little apprehensive to start a thread such as this, but this is the most civil group of people I've seen.

I have favorite artists, photographers, writers. People who inspire me. Pieces of art that have literally stopped me in my tracks. This is true of some of the work that I see here. I think Terry Henson does beautiful work. The wood work of Ray Jorgensen is stunning. Whose work moves you?

Doc's first passion, helping others, motivates me. As does Stan Grace's and Mark Blabaum's. Very generous, giving people!! Many others to add to the list, but these three jump out at me right now.

Putter
Williston, ND

i have admired work by so many on this board there are too many to list. if you look closely each has their own style and i freely admit i have taken ideas from many builders. terry henson and ray jorgenson are two of the best. i probably attribute ray jorgenson's work to getting me started in working with wood. i dont think it is a competition and it is unfair to try to compare. how do you compare a nice handle to a weave or exquisite wrap? we are fortunate that so many fine craftsmen share their work and how it is done. that is what makes this board and the people that use it so valuable

Problem with something like this, if I answer and I leave someone out - they might be offended & I'll feel like a jerk. For me personally, when I see some of Bernie Cohen's rods, I get inspired. IF you seen a set of his rods, and a set of my rods, it's obvious that he is the person who has the most influence in how I do my rods, from butt to tip.

No disrespect to the dozens of guys who I really really admire - you guys all know who you are as you're on that secret B40 e-mail list, lol.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2008 09:26PM by Billy Vivona.

Oh my!!! This one is just to hard to answer. I am with Billy's first sentence. The list is big and in no order.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2008 10:15PM by Jim Rippe.

Hiro Tanaka's threadwork, Terry Hensons fly rods, Ray Jorgensen / Mark Blaubams wood handles...and Mark Crouse, I spent quite some time REALLY looking at his threadwork and talking with him. His threadwork aint bright, but its really,really intense!!.......then you got the other guys that inspire me daily, impress me weekly, have done huge things for rodbuilding in general for many years,help myself and others if asked...you know who are.......and then there's the NERBS, and the ones that will never admit they are one....and Roy Braurer.

Mike

NERB that types with a bar of Ivory soap in his mouth.

If I posted names of all my favorites Tom would kick me off here for using up too much band width.
A lot of them have already been named. There are so many great builders on this board and each one of them has something beautiful and unique to add to the Custom Rod Building world. But the one person that has influenced me the most is Mike Barkley. We have shared a lot of information both on and off the board.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

I think we would all agree that Tom deserves lots of acclaim and praise. I don't even have a chance to see any of these guys work without the trouble that Mr. Kirkman goes through to make all of this possible. Thanks Tom.

All of you. I don't think there is anyone who has posted here, at one time or another, who I have not learned from. And that makes it easy for me to help someone who comes to me with questions, because I know I'm just continuing what others have done for me. Meeting some of you in person at the Shows for the past three years has been absolutely a highlite each year, because it's even better in-person. When you sit with someone after hours and you think later what unreal talent they have, you just have to appreciate that.

I don't ever hope to lead the list - too many great ones. I just hope to be included on it someday.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

Some of the first custom rods that I saw were those of a fellow here in Houston that did weaves. That got me started making my rods and hoping that someday I could do weaves. It took me 20 some odd years to learn of Doc Ski and his video and later Jim Upton. I do admire everyones work especially the fine wooden handles being produced by Mark Blaubaum and others. I got a chance this weekend to see the book Billy Vivona put together and if you are into crosswraps you need to buy one. Howvever, my main interest is to become a weaver in the caliber of Doc, Jim, Hiro, and others so I guess those three guys are the ones at present that are motivating me more.

Prior to joining this forum I had only seen a few custom rods built by Aussie Rod Builder, Ian Miller. His weaves and cross wraps have to be seen to believe the quality and individuality. He recently built a 6kg light game rod for G.W Bush. He wove the presidents name into the fore grip and bordered it with two jumping marlin in mirror image. The weave was a silhoette weave done in Ian's trademark gold and black. The rod was presented to G.W by our then Prime Minister, John Howard in a purple velvet rod cover with G.W's name embroidered on it. Talk about classy. This was it for me and a great honor for any rod builder.

Other than Ian, I would have to say the NERBS for their consistant pushing the limits, Mark Crouse for outstanding overall craftsmanship, Doc, Hiro and Jim for their weaves, Mark Blabaum for his handles and Terry Henson for his fly rods. All craftsmen in their own right.

Mark Fisher

First, Tom Kirkman for providing this forum, Rodmaker, and expos. Secondly, all who post here. It's rare, at least for me, to come here and not learn something.

My favorites are the old (and sometimes young) masters that quietly sit at their lathes creating great works of art and function that stretch the limits of what is possible in this craft.
Just to name a few
Pat Vinzant
JP Timberlake
Billy V and the boys from Yankee land
Duane Richards
Doc.
Putter
Mark Blabaum
Mark Crouse
Terry Henson
Hiro Tanaka
And so on
OK, maybe their not always quite

Tom Kirkman, first and foremost! Without him, I would never have become acquainted with all of the talent, skill and artistry that this forum and Rodmaker magazine provide me!!

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!!

Mike got it right. Hands down, Tom K!
This forum, RMM, and the annual show put him at the very top.

Stan

I like everyone on this site. They give excellant suggestions and resources to help with a problem. But mostly my wife She tells me where I have gone wrong . She also keeps me from getting a swelled head.
Good Wraps Bob

Jean Harrington for teaching me and making me do it right and my Mom and Dad for always encouraging me and reminding me to share in everything. Mushy but true.

Other than them my favorites are everyone who puts their heart and soul into their work. Dont ever stop.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/04/2008 12:45PM by James(Doc) Labanowski.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

This is one of the the most beautiful things I have seen. I must add Mark Blaubaum