I have a St. Croix rod that I broke when I set the hook on a rock, I made that rock cross-eyed, but it blew the rod up. I tried returning it, but I didn't have the receipt. I sent it back and St. Croix promptly sent to me. What I wanted to know is can I salvage the handle and reel seat? I have a pistol grip rod that I can't stand, and wanted to put it on that one. I have been wanting to try it for a year now, and didn't want to ruin it.

You can try to salvage the reel seat but if it a blank exposed reel seat there is not a good chance of it fitting your other rod.  It is much easier to spend $4.25 to buy a new reel seat.  I would not even attempt to remove a cork handle, I usually take pliers and rip it off in chunks.  What model St. Croix is the rod and how old is it?  Where did it break at?

Often times you can salvage all of it...  but as said, the reel seat might not fit the new blank and the cork is also fitted.  Cork grips are much tougher to salvage (w/o damage) and is a 50/50 proposition at best. (for me anyway)

This is just me talking here but depending on which model rod it was, it's cheaper (if you count your time) to just start with new stuff.  I do put a value on my time so I don't waste it recovering cheap components.  I'd rather spend $XX on a fresh set of guides, than to pick old finish off the feet and touch them up...  now if they were TiSiC or Cermets I'd gladly pick away.  

Thanks guys

I have a 5'6 lightning rod my son uses and he doesn't like the pistol grip. I have a broken Triumph that I have kept for some odd reason and just wanted to know if I could kill two birds w one stone.

What are some of the ways you guys have had success removing the blank from the handle?  I have one or two broken rods that I would like to take the handle off and place on a new blank.  I can see how it would be a 50/50 chance of success, it looks like to me that there is epoxy through out the hole in the handle.

Boiling water will remove reelseats

I drill a hole in a piece of wood the exact size of the blank where the grip or seat meets.  Boil for 10-15 minutes and then use the block of wood as a push tool... only push from the end to keep from tearing the cork (which gets soft when you boil it)  SOmetimes a few light raps from a hammer will help in breaking it loose.

Also, I cut the blank a couple inches from the grip or seat, it makes it easier to boil and to maneuver.