MikeK

Fore grip and rear grip replaced . . . reel seat and threadwrap intact.

Find a local shop to repair it by putting on a new tip and replacing the mashed guide. It will be fishable. Give it to someone just starting out if you won't use it.

From a cost point the kit is a value and it includes blanks that give a reasonable length I tried the handle on a spinning rod . . . Pros: It looked pretty good and is lightweight Cons: Handle is too long for me, handle diameter is too small for me, hole in front is way too big, had a 7' blank in mind and had to cut to get final length wanted because the blank is arbored/glued into the front of the reel seat. I never even wrapped guides, just gave it away to another rod builder.

That is a solid starting place. For the same price you can take their online class which includes the materials in the kit minus the alcohol burner. Class has cork grips and choice of casting or spinning rod.

Not a solution but something to beware of . . . I tried a temporary extension using a piece of blank as an internal sleeve pressed in tightly but without glue. After a little use the insert seemed to get loose but it actually split the butt of the original rod under the grip.

Use full rear grips not split. If cork, a couple burl rings at the butt.

Thanks Chris!

So it doesn't need to be coated with epoxy? What type of adhesive holds it to the blank?

I've used tungsten bullet weights with epoxy but not putty. Serch for some older posts about pros and cons of balancing and ways of doing it.

Same here . . .

Look at the Sea Guide guides on rodbuilderswarehouse.com Batson/Forecast for some reel seats. Spinning or casting?

Best hook keeper ever is frame of first or second guide 😁

I have done many as well! It is amazing how many people want a broken rod repaired.

Yep!

Could you cut off the rod at the front of the grip you want to save and then use an internal sleeve through the grip to connect to another blank?