Within 30 minutes of my new "Tachy Mop" abalone arriving, I was picking it out of its boiling water bath and wrapping it around a 6-inch length section between split-grips. It was almost rubbery and I wrapped it on this spinning rod in about 15 seconds-no cracks, not even a near-crack. I simply followed Kevin's instructions contained in the latest Rodmaker. Folks-it's good as advertised-if you ever thought about using abalone but were intimidated by the process, give this a try. 1 sheet is enough for four spinning rods and at $35 per good size sheet, I have enough for 3 more rods. Great stuff!!

I'll second that! Amazing stuff. I MIGHT have enough to last me to the show!!

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!!

What size blank are you wrapping it around

7-foot medium-light spinning blank. I could have just as easily wrapped it around a pencil. Just follow the instructions. The only thing you need to be sure of if you've never wrapped it before is to avoid letting your fingers touch the adhesive as you peel off the backing. As you would expect it is really sticky.

The measurement I was looking for was the diameter, But the pencil reference works. I used some from MH that was supposed to be micro flex or what ever they call it and followed their instructions and it cracked on me. I'll have to give this stuff a try.

There is a NIGHT and DAY difference between the new abalone that Kevin has and anything else ... including Kevin's previously released versions. It absolutely is simple and works perfectly.

I've been using Kevins Tachy-MOP since the Spring/Summer, awesome stuff!!! Very easy to wrap around, even small blanks!

I'll jump aboard this band wagon. Put it on a Batson IMU 70, which for me, is a larger diameter blank, and it went on like a dream. The only problems I encountered were purely my fault. One bit of advice is always measure twice, and cut once!

Thanks Kevin for a great product, and all your help.

Got a question... even after re-reading Kevin's article several times, I'm left with a nagging question about overlapping the abalone on top of itself when making the wrap. Does this present any noticible "lump" in the finished product or does the overlap kinda disappear when it is coated with epoxy?

Clyde

The stuff is thin. I coated mine twice because I wanted to put a name decal on top but there was no lump after just one coat. Heck, there's hardly any "lump" after wrapping it.

Thanks David, just what I was hoping to hear. Ordered 3 sheets a couple hours ago, and have a couple projects it'll be perfect for.

Clyde

Clyde-Let us know how it goes.

I can not seem to find the instructions on his site
Any one got a link ?

Thanks

Bill - willierods.com

Bill-The instructions are in your latest Rodmaker magazine.

David,

Where can I purchase The "Tachy Mop" abalone which you described in your post?

Thanks in advance,

Rena

[www.anglersenvy.com]

Jim

Thank you very much.

Rena

Looks like this is a real breakthrough. I expect more of the "hobby builders," like I am, who build only a few rods a year, would encourage the offering of a package of various colors in smaller sizes. Not being 100% confident of the colors, it would be nice to buy them all and try them without investing $350. Or just making a mistake on one at $35.

I'm sure I don't understand all the aspects of marketing, but Angler'sEnvy, give it some consideration.

I have and being the small guy, I value every customer I have. You want a sample piece of a color, you just send me an email and I will send you a sample piece.

Howz that?

Kevin