[Euan Innes]

Definitely an A from me Sandy.
The smoked nickel is superb in real life, adds a sharper look under clear wraps and matches more reels in todays market.
The agate has a Tigers eye feel to it. All of them go with the insert but I think A really "pops" and becomes a feature rather than a matching accessory 

Euan

[Sandy Nelson]

Smoked nickel silver and E for me.

Ahh now we might a wee misunderstanding, the 3 strippers on the left A-C are smoked nickel and the 3 on the right D-F are bright nickel, hence the question about the metalwork, I don’t want to mix smoked nickel reel seats with bright nickel rings, it won’t look quite as good as having it all matching. So if you want smoked nickel hardware I’m afraid you need to pick from A-C but if you fancy E then we are going with bright nickel hardware. Have a think and see, you can change your mind anytime up to the end of the poll👍
Sorry for the confusion, I was just going to use smoked nickel, but with the insert that was chosen I rather liked agates D and E so added the bright nickel option to make them options.😁
Cheers

Sandy

[Dave Robb]

Obviously, doh! 

A and smoked or E and bright silver.

I like both.

Edit.

I’ve gone with A on the poll.

[Eddie Sinclair]

Ok Sandy, now I will go smoked nickel with A,

Maybe this explains why I have been known to wear socks of different colours

Eddie

[Sandy Nelson]

Cheers guys.

Eddie, did you change your vote on the poll?

Sandy

[Eddie Sinclair]

I have now

[Dave Robb]

There’s a clear favourite now.

[Kerry Jordan]

Agree! Smoked reel fittings and agate A. Classy and understated.

[Jeff Donovan]

In fairness, they are all attractive compliments to the rod blank & as others have voted, I went for A too.

[Sandy Nelson]

Cheers Guys

So we have a build spec.



I've stacked the cork this evening so it will be ready to turn tomorrow, i shall run a  snap poll to see if anyone wants a handle different to my standard and preffered, snub nosed style full wells. I prefer this grip as it gives better control for presentation casts
but as i turn the cork from shives i can make any shape for a customer.

So as a snap poll, do we want the standard grip, which allows me to NOT use a winding check.



Or do you prefer a reversed style half wells grip which will require a winding check.



It will be a quick poll as i intend to turn the grip tomorrow or thursday depending on whether i go fishing or not.

Cheers

Sandy

[Euan Innes]

Standard Sandy.
I didn't know if I would like the standard when I got mine but the control is excellent. I also love the way you can "FEEL" the blank under your hand.
And  yes, it does not need anything fancy up the front of the handle, just cork to glass. Classy!

Euan

[Jeff Donovan]

The majority of my rods have the full wells style handles apart from one, so it' has to be the standard for me.   

[Eddie Sinclair]

Standard for me Sandy,

Eddie

[Sandy Nelson]

Cheers

Standard style grip it is 

So cork is stacked and blank marked up ready to go



Sandy

[Sandy Nelson]

So i've  had some time this morning

So she is all whipped up and the cork turned. I went for a 3 colour wrap at the ferrules to match the Agate banding and the insert figuring.



The multi colour wrap has been a theme for 2019 builds, so nice to keep some continuity.
I also spread the 3 colours on the butt section for the measuring wraps. it all seems to work rather nicely.
I hope it is looking how you all imagined  i'll probably get the first coat of epoxy on there tomorrow to make it all Disappear 





Cheers

Sandy

[Mike Barrio]

Looking good Sandy

[Euan Innes]

Aye Sandy, that insert really works with the black nickel hardware. The 3 colour wrap is a lovely "vintage" touch.👍
Euan

[Sandy Nelson]

You like the ‘swap shop’ wraps
Reminds me of a scarf I had when I was a kid.
😎

[Sandy Nelson]

First very thin coat of epoxy applied 👍



 

Sandy

[Sandy Nelson]

Second coat hardening off for a few days.



Ferrule wraps looking nice too


 
Sandy

[Hamish Young]

Looking grand 

[Jeff Donovan]

Oh, Wow! 

[Dave Robb]

Finally got out with my Epic today (there’s a photo of it on page 3, it’s the olive one with ghost wraps). 

Gave it a good workout with a few rainbows including one fatty which had the rod bent right over.

Ace rod to cast with, didn’t take long at all find my rhythm.  Was thinking 8’ was going to feel a bit short but not at all.

I definitely want a 686 now.

Can’t wait for proper trout season. 

[Sandy Nelson]

Thats great stuff Dave, i'm really pleased you are enjoying it.

So our forum Spec build is now finished, many thanks to all who have had an input into the final spec, i think it has turned out really nice and i'm hoping to keep it for myself as the 2019 Demo, however i'm open to discussion as always

So here she is, my new demo and the product of design by committee,  its all panned out rather well .
I hope you all like it and that it has emerged as you imagined.












many thanks again and if anyone wants to try her out to see what the fuss about glass is, then just give me a shout.
I now have demo's for the new style 580 and 476 with a 370 in production too.

Sandy

[Mike Barrio]

Looks great Sandy