I am building (2) TX-714MH-C Phenix K2's for a customer and he wants titanium reel seats. The catch is that he wants it to be a split reel seat or "skeleton" style. I have cut several aluminum and graphite seats to create this style but never titanium seat. First question is about the actual seat itself. REC makes a few I believe. Are there any other ones out there? Second question is what challenges should I expect in doing this other than the obvious. (e.g. sanding the rough edges or cutting a straight line) I am more interested in how the material reacts to cutting techniques and conditions. Slow band saw? Should I use a lubricant/coolant? Just wanted to get some feedback. Thanks again for such a great place to get information.

I've never seen a true solid Ti reel seat, other than some very spendy custom seats on a few spey rods. Plated yes, a full Ti reel seat would be hugely expensive. Lamiglas quit using it on their rods/blanks for that reason.

Ben,
The very simple and expensive thing to do, would be to take a sample of the reel seat that you want and take it to an air craft tool and die machine shop. They will have a ready supply of titanium and the ability and machines to manufacture such a reel seat.
It is possible that they might make it for less than $500.

Good luck
Roger

Ben,
Seriously, if you want perfect edges, the nicest way to achieve this would be to put the reel seat in a lathe and have the cuts made on the lathe. Then the reel seat will be perfect.

If you or a friend have a small metal lathe, you can do this job in a few minutes.

Roger

Sometimes it's best to tell your customer that what he asking for is unrealistic , impossible to to , cost prohibitive or all of the above and then look for a solution that'll benefit him and not get yourself in a chaotic mess for you to try to figure out.

Lance

I had three custom fly rods made (pre-rodbuilder phase) with Struble titanium reel seats. I wouldn't do it again. They "eat" aluminum reel feet.
Herb