Reading back through the archives here as I completed my first build recently, I went with the recommendation to try Dr. Ph Martin's calligraphy ink in iridescent silver and it turned out great! Got a fairly cheap calligraphy pen with it at Michael's and did a lot of practicing before trying it out on the blank. Even then, I still had to use some rubbing alcohol and start over a few times. As ha
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the great feedback all! With my first rod completed, I certainly learned a TON on that first build. When the weather recently warmed, I was able to get it outside and take some test casts and it performed beautifully. Fishability and design wise, I'd give it an A. Aesthetically, I'd have to give it a B-. Working with micro guides for the first try definitely gave me a few fits, but le
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the great feedback from all! As the grip and reel seat are curing now, I've saved the sleeve for when I begin wrapping guides next week. It's already looking beautiful and I can see how this can become an addiction.
Forum: rodboard

Good evening all, I'm very excited to register on the site after lurking for about a month now. Getting into rod building has been something I've been considering for a while now and I've spent that last few months becoming a student of the game so to say, reading as much as I can on this site and through the great resources on YouTube. The pages and pages here in the vault at rodbuilding.org
Forum: rodboard