Steeldrifter 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2018 Finally caught up on customer rods enough where I was able to sneak in a few minutes here & there to work on a new rod for myself. This is a 10' 4wt that I built to add to my own collection and use on the big waters of the Au Sable. Blank is Xi H&H 10' 4wt 4pc, grip has seven coats of urethane, classic twist brown & black wraps with metallic copper trim and a custom matching sock.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fshng2 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2018 Wow! ...didn't realize it at first but I'm actually drooling. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjm 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2018 Really like that color combo. Not too sure that I would like fishing with that super slick looking grip though it is pretty to look at. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steeldrifter 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2018 While it looks slick, the opposite is actually the case. The urethane coating gives a very high traction "grippiness" (is that a word? lol) Before I did my first one years ago I always looked at coated grips and wondered how guys ever were able to hang onto the slick looking grips. Then I did one and was amazed at how much traction they have. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2018 That is a beautiful rod, Steve. I like the tapering wraps at the grip ... and I LOVE the grip !!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave G. 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2018 While it looks slick, the opposite is actually the case. The urethane coating gives a very high traction "grippiness" (is that a word? lol) Before I did my first one years ago I always looked at coated grips and wondered how guys ever were able to hang onto the slick looking grips. Then I did one and was amazed at how much traction they have. Ya I did a grip for my wife's 4 wt in spar urethane just as a sealer coat ( two coats) and if anything the gripping action or traction improved.. But it's some slow drying stuff ! Nice rod Steve,great colors, rich looking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjm 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2018 The high traction grippiness is exactly why I thought it might be unpleasant, as a long time carpenter, I learned to avoid urethane or varnish on any handle, because nothing in the world creates a blister faster. On a rod the hand might not get blistered, but my instincts all flare up at the visual of varnish on a handle. It is very pretty though. Wish you much joy and many fish on it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steeldrifter 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2018 I have two other rods I did the handles on like this as well, never had any blister issues at all, probably because your not using the type of force with a rod as you are with a hammer. Thanks, should be putting it to use in a few weeks. Got a steelhead trip planned for 3 days in about a week but once I get back from that then we'll start hitting the trout and this rod will start seeing some action then. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Powershooter 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2018 Beautiful rod Steve . I have never seen a grip like that before . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swamp Fly 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2018 Okay I gotta ask, how did you make the tapered wrap? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steeldrifter 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2018 Just reduced the number of turns on each wrap from 8 down to 2. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swamp Fly 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2018 Okay, I get it now (I think). They are bands, not a single spiral that tapers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steeldrifter 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2018 Yep individual bands. Not even sure why I did it, just an idea that hit me lol. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swamp Fly 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2018 Well I like it. I wonder how that would look as accents over guide foot wraps. Might add some weight if you want a smooth finish but I bet it would look style'in. Guess my brain saw what it wanted to as far as a spiral. I was just trying to figure out how you did it it was, I can think of a couple things to try, but what a PIA it would be to make it look natural and neat. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
islander727 0 Report post Posted April 24, 2018 Individual bands?! Wow. Very impressive! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites