You might want to read the article on handle and grip ergonomics in the Volume 10 #3 RodMaker. Most reel seats are improperly shaped and sized from a bio-mechanical perspective. This is one area where the custom builder can really outdo commercially made rods.

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My most comfortable seat is a simple pipe seat, up locking, with ramps off the ends of the seat the same diameter as the seat itself, made in size 18. IMHO, no seat made on a size 16 will be very comforatble for the whole day. I use ramps made of reel seat shim rigid foam material, and when coated with epoxy finish, with the same diameter as the seat, it's very comfortable. Want a palm swell? Just turn one of cork, slot it to clear the stem of the reel, and apply it to the seat with two sided tape, or when you get confident of it, epoxy it to the seat
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This may be late but consider the Alps Tri reel seat mounted down locking. Taper the rear grip to the seat hood starting aprox. 1 to 1.5" below it. Its very comfortable with no seat threads digging into the heel of your hand. With that reel, if wanted, you can cut 5/8" off the threads to shorten it.

Phil

Great grip, Stan. Would make a nice article in the magazine.