trying something new for me: bamboo.
Rebuilding a 2/3 w 7.5 ft 2 piece bamboo rod just for grins and and have the surface removed with cirtri strip and a razor.
Would PG stiffen the rod up noticeably and is helmsman spar therefore the way to go ?
I am comfortable using either just after so many hours of getting it prepped want to make the right decision.
I like PG but its not something you can change your mind about easily afterwards.

Neither will stiffen the rod, both will soften it. Adding weight of any kind is weight the rod now has to carry.

PG is tougher and longer lasting, but the Helmsman is likely easier to work with.

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Try a Google search on ( building bamboo rods ) and you will fine a lot of info And many different ways of doing the same thing
A lot put Permagloss on the blank then build on that When applied correctly it gives a nice hard shine
I like the spar cause I can do the rod up and then thin out the spar and dribble it over all Blank and thread in one step Hang up for several days to dry

Bill - willierods.com

I USE HELMSMAN SPAR URETHANE (spray) WITH VERY NICE RESULTS EXPERIMENT A BIT THEN TRY ITON A ROD I ALSO USE IT AS A CLEAR COAT ON RODS I 'VE PAINTED ALSO WITH VERY NICE RESULTS Larry

Now you are in my area of rod work. I do a lot of restorations/repairs every year so this is something i know about.
Perma gloss is nice but I think it's a bugger to work on the cane.
imo spar is easier to work with. I'm not a fan of spray. I usually dip but that is because I'm set up for that.
shoot me a PM and I'll give you instruction if you want to try the "drip" method. easy and gives good results.

Gary is the man talk to him

Bill - willierods.com

PG was developed for fly rods, however I prefer to use Tru Oil. After stripping the old rod I wipe on 3-4 coats of Tru Oil then wrap and finish the wraps with PG or Lumigloss. I sometimes will wipe a final coat of Tru Oil on the entire rod after th PG is dried.

Thanks guys.
Gary, email sent.