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Shikari blanks background info?
Posted by: Michael Danek (---.chi01.dsl-w.verizon.net)
Date: April 07, 2009 11:33AM

Can anyone fill me in on the background of Shikari blanks? I think I know it was an Oklahoma company, it seems like their product was/is highly respected. Can anyone fill me in on the company's history and what happened to it? Did they sell out to a major? thanks, Michael

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Re: Shikari blanks background info?
Posted by: Tom Kirkman (Moderator)
Date: April 07, 2009 12:30PM

I believe Wade Cunningham did a lot of their design work. Much of their product, like many others, were clones of the older and very popular G. Loomis products. I've often thought Shikari came closer to the Loomis designs than anyone else.

I don't want to get into specifics of why they sold their operation. Just business and having to carry too much debt. ATC (Advanced Tubular Composites) parent company bought the name and equipment but didn't last.

As of right now, Shikari is just a footnote in rod building history.

...........

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Re: Shikari blanks background info?
Posted by: Darrin Heim (---.tukw.qwest.net)
Date: April 07, 2009 01:01PM

Hi Michael,

Shikari used to be called Tridon Composites and was started in the early to mid '90's. A former partner of Gary Loomis (obviously after they left Lamiglas) and after departing from Talon/Osprey, built the factory in Oklahoma. Already offering great blanks, Wade came in to help with new designs and enhancement of their existing products. This large OEM factory was operated successfully for years by Brian Kaupke. Brian was responsible for building the business and brand to represent the quality and integrity Shikari was known for, unfortunately he did not make the transition to ATC. Not sure as to what happened after that but as Tom said, "a footnote in rod building history".

Best Regards,

Darrin Heim
American Tackle Company

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Re: Shikari blanks background info?
Posted by: John Martines (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: April 07, 2009 05:16PM

I thought I read on here that Brian has bought back the equipment and is going to make Shakari blanks again??

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Re: Shikari blanks background info?
Posted by: Tom Kirkman (Moderator)
Date: April 07, 2009 05:43PM

No.

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

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Re: Shikari blanks background info?
Posted by: Scott Taylor (---.spark.wsfcs.k12.nc.us)
Date: April 08, 2009 08:29AM

What a sad fate. Shikari was 30 minutes from where I grew up.

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