[Rob Brownfield]

First things first, I needed to get my butt into shape. Final sanding tonight before I start on the grip.

[Ben Dixon]

Please tell me you're not going to put that butt plug on a 4wt Rob?  I've seen smaller butts on 12wts! 

How's the lathe working out?


Ben

[Rob Brownfield]

Glued up and ready to file/sand.



After(ish) without any filler etc.



And sort of complete. Need to do a little more fine sanding as the cork was not as good a quality as I had hopped for.



And yes Ben, that butt is on a 4 weight. Its turned to exactly fit along my fore arm in the perfect balance point. The foregrip is slightly shorter too so that I can put my index finger directly on the blank. The 3 rings at the top are exactly where my thumg sits to give me a bit more feel as well. Feels really nice in the had and with the reel (and taped on rings) the balance is exactly where I want it.

Excuse the photos, they are off the phone. The last photo distorts the handle and makes my butt look bigger! 

[Ben Dixon]

Cool Rob,

Be interested to see it when it is finished.


Ben

[Rob Brownfield]

Be interested to see it when it is finished.

#

I did not get much done last night as I was playing around with trim bands and weaves to come up with something a little different but not to blingy.

I think I may just use simple whippings as the rings are blingy as it is. and then do some weaving on the butt and joints.

To be continued.

[Rob Brownfield]

Finally got round to whipping the thing. Olive tree butt wrap and plain old black whipping on the rings (Chrome Alconites). I had done accent rings and single thread inlays but the more I looked at it the more I thought it was too OTT.





Not to everyones taste, and I am still crap at writing on rods...buts its mine, and no one else will have one like it

[Hamish Young]

Looks very nice Rob and I get the whole no-one else will have one like it thinking  That said the rings look 'interesting' to me, they look quite .... how shall I put this..... "retro"

H

[Rob Brownfield]

That said the rings look 'interesting' to me, they look quite .... how shall I put this..... "retro"

Interesting as they are one of the latest and lightest rings on the market for fly rods Not quite as light as the titaniums Ben used but still lighter than a snake guide.

It has been built for nylon/braid/french leaders when nymphing so I wanted extremely small rings, lots of them and something that will stand up to years of abuse The guides on the tip are affa wee

Thanks for the kind comments though.