I'm making a spinning rod for a friend that has been nice enough to invite me up to his place in Michigan for some walleye fishing.  He isn't a very accomplished fisherman on his own as he mostly goes out on charter trips.  Anyway, I purchased a quality blank and guides along with some Kaleidoscope thread that looks awesome on the guide wraps.  I'm adding a walleye decal and his initials on the blank, but I'm debating whether or not to also do a butt wrap.  The reason Im hesitating isn' because I don't have the time, it's because he has a tendency to abuse his equipment and although I'd be disappointed if the rod were abused, I'd be distraught if I saw him doing it to a rod with a one of a kind customized wrap.

My question is; Am I being selfish by not wanting my work to possibly be ruined by it's owner??? I mean it will be his rod to do with as he pleases, or should I just give him a nice custom built rod and feel good about it?

 

Don't do the butt wrap.  It's supposed to be a nice, happy gesture between you and a friend, don't allow yourself to have a second of resentment over it.  Your friend will be thrilled either way.

I decided to do a simple diamond pattern for a butt wrap. It accomplished two things in that doing so gives him a more unique gift and it gives me the satisfaction of knowing I didn't just throw a rod together.  Besides, I can always use the practice in layout and design for future builds.  If he abuses the rod, that's his doing and I can be happy knowing the rod is truely a special gift from me.

The first coat of Flex Coat is on already.  Pics to follow

The guy mentioned has a  very good friend, wish I had a rod building friend that gives rods as gifts...

 

Yo DVT, let's go grab a beer sometime, they're on me!  

Make it Southern Comfort and I'm in!!

SoCo! Sounds great!

 

Oh by the way... erm, I gotta birthday comin up in just like... 5 months..... Say, them k2 blanks are the shizz aint they?  match them with some micro recoils and a handleless minima reel seat, thatd be a rod right there... just, erm.. just sayin ya know???