i was looking at justtrying's posts on the rods he is modifying the grips into split grips.  and the graphite rings in the handle for sensativity that all pro puts in their rods seem like a great idea, and they look cool.  so the question is, do any of you have a clue where i could find these rings to put into a handle myself??

I've not seen them in any of my catalogs so I don't know where you can get them.  There was an article in Rodmaker, I think 2 issues ago about using poker chips.  The poker chips did the same thing for sensitivity and also gave you lots of options for color schemes, etc..

aggiebassin, flechero,

My guess is that because it is a graphite arbor they use, it is purchased as a block and turned to the grip diameter then sliced to the thickness they want, then inserted into the grip and clamped for finished shaping. The hard part would be locating a source for 100% block graphite, that would be able to be turned down to the grips diameter.

With the use of a ECS reel seat on the rod I think it is over kill to have the graphite arbor's in the grip when the exposed trigger get's the vibrations first anyway.

Just my .02¢

Tight Wraps!  

guys,

i don't know where they got those rings, but, after "tearing down, different manf. rods, i see where AllPro does lots of things that others don't.  let me just give you a few examples:

1)graphite handle rings -- they may not help, but, i assure they don't hurt,,, these are, indeed, the most sensitive rods i've ever used

2) they wrap all their APX series (don't know about others) w/heavy gauge thread ("d" instead of "a" ...saltwater tough)

3) they use titanium guides ..best looking, most expensive, guides i've seen on ANY shelf rods

4) they personally "spline" each rod  (i re-did a st croix & it had a mark where the spline was, but the guides were 1/3 way around the blank!!!)

5) they're all made in America!

i know these rods don't have the recognition of the "hush, whisper, awe" loomis, but, i betcha 40 dollars to a doughnut they're a more sensitive (& i believe, better built!)

and, lastly, & i'll close this ad, call them & talk w/billy or some of the other staff. i think you'll find they're the most friendly, try to help, group of guys you've ever dealt with.    ...they're good guys selling good stuff!

flechero,

on the rod you built w/ the blue rings in the handle, what are they?  

reel mech,

i was thinking about that too....i don't know if they are needed or not, but i really like the way they look.  im guessin that nobody makes a regular arbor that would be that big in O.D.?

purely decorative.  They are foam, cut out of a sheet I had in my fly tying supplies... just wanted to see how it would look.