Here is a look at Andy's new Exotic Laguna Burl and the new Exotic Burnt Burl. Has a look like the AllPro rod grips. It took 3 hours to get this grip turned down, I used the same pattern that you see on my rod site in the grip design section. The one thing I have noticed with this burl is that it doesn't turn as easy as the imported burl that I have used in the past. But it does produce one heck of a nice looking grip. This grip is a Tenn. style w/sliding graphite rings, that will be set at the desired spot for a slightly tip heavy rod. The rod blank is a St.Croix 3S70MHF. The reel it is being setup for is a Cabela's Daiwa® Prodigy 3000..

Here is another look at the grip....

Well off to finish this rod lots more to do on it....

Tight Wraps!  

awwww, man, THAT IS SWEET!   ...i see LOTS more of those in your future  -  i think you're on to something my friend.

justtrying,

That burl does make a sweet looking grip, but it was a pain to turn down.

I just glued it up to the blank, and it is looking good. I'll try and get a pick of it when it is cured and I have the butt cap shaped..

Tight Wraps!  

ReelMech, you obviously have a slicing jig!  Very nicely done!  Your work inspires us!  It's elegant, in a masculine way!  ...lol  

I did some checkerboards with laguna and burnt last week, but did them by hand with my eyes as the jig.  ...lol  They actually turned out pretty good but not perfectly even.  I'll be buying a real jig one of these days.

I am confused about something though, you said:

this burl is that it doesn't turn as easy as the imported burl

 What are you using to rough it out?  It's a little different but I haven't noticed it to be any more difficult to shape or turn.  I believe it takes a few extra minutes because it is denser and I go a little slower with it but that is all.

Oh, one more thing... if you call Andy and ask, he will make rings with no hole so you can use them as butt rings without having to fill or plug.  I've done it on a few rods so far and really like it.  Have a few more rings with no holes... waiting in line to be used.  

;DLooking good ReelMech!! ;D  This rod making is worse than the tackle monkey!!!  Now I am thinking about another spinning rod with a Tennessee handle ;D  I haven't even finished the ones I have going now. :  

flechero,

When I said it was a pain, I'm use to the imported burls (like the german browns and the reds) they tend to turn faster for me. For all of my shaping I use hard wood block (planed level) covered with 40, 60, 100, grit.

For my butts I use the rubberized cork all without holes, I drill them to fit half the rings depth. When I glue up the rig the fighting butt and rubberized cork gets clamped, once it cures then I hand shape it. Just got done shaping this one and will post pic tomorrow.

vtbassin,

This rod making is worse than the tackle monkey!!!

Same monkey just a different version...

Now I am thinking about another spinning rod with a Tennessee handle   I haven't even finished the ones I have going now.

Well get going, and don't forget the pics..

Tight Wraps All!

As promised, here is the finished grip and butt. Glued up and set at the position asked for.

In this shot I have the reel that the rod is being built for mounted.

Now it is off to start the guide layout.....

Tight Wraps All!  

I use hard wood block (planed level) covered with 40, 60, 100, grit.

Ok, that makes perfect sense.  I rough out and shape with a Sureform blade and a large rasp and sand after it's close to my final size and shape.  

That has to be the best looking spinning grip I have ever seen!!  Fantastic work my friend!

reelmech,

this rod is an exact representation of why i'd want to build a custom rod.

it's Beautiful, it's Classy, its a "one of a kind," it's absolutely Custom - the owner will be thrilled to not only use, but, to show off this rod to all his buddies.

if you could just walk into a store & buy one like it, then, it would lose it's uniqueness, but, you Can't!

i know, "it's just a fishing rod" but, you should feel good about this one, for it will set a standard that a lot of us will strive to reach in our rod building.