The new issue of RM shows how to make the clear plastic handles with the rod blank butt inserted as a plug or ferrule. My question is how strong can these handles be? Is there some limit as to how much pressure they could stand before they snap? Just don't want to spend time doing all this work and then the handle not being able to stand up to the pressure.

The article was more about that type of handle and blank attachment than it was about the acrylic handles. That’s why there was no extreme detail about that particular handle material itself.

Having said that, your question is almost impossible to answer due to the various styles, shapes and diameters that handles can be made in. A larger diameter handle is going to be stronger than a smaller diameter handle. A handle with deep insets for the seat hardware will be less strong than one with shallower insets.

I can tell you that I’ve never broken one but would add that I’ve only made such handles from solid acrylic for use on ultra-light to medium type freshwater rods. They appear to be more than strong enough for those rods and could be strong enough for much heavier fishing. I just can’t tell you what the limit is on any of them is - I’ve never tested one to failure.

If you’re working on a very heavy rod application, then you’d almost surely want to go “straight-thru” with your handle construction. Of course this puts you back towards a more standard and current method of handle construction and away from the older handle/ferrule/blank method which the article referenced.


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Hello Garry.

Tom has an articule in the 13-6 RodMaker on pg. 10 about acrylic handles.

Tight Wraps.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Bob,

Thanks, but this is whole different animal.

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Hello Garry, Tom.

My bad, just got the new magazine last night, looks interesting.

Tight Wraps.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.