My builder ordered in two blanks for me to get a look at.

Both are RainShadow, This is my first custom

build.

What was your first custom build? Are you still

happy with it?

My first spinning and casting build were on $5 mudhole blanks. I gave them away. My first fly build was on an old Fenwick root beer blank. I still have it cause I'm not too embarrassed to say I built it!

First Custom Buiild:

 

G Loomis Slate Blank in Garnet and Gold with Fuji hardware, still love it! 

 

Which Rainshadow blanks did you order?

RX Series? (Immortal?)

First Custom Buiild:

G Loomis Slate Blank in Garnet and Gold with Fuji hardware, still love it!

Garnet and gold is such a classy look, especially on grey blanks.

Garnet and gold is such a classy look, especially on grey blanks.

 

 

Robert is a classy guy. And it doesn't hurt he is a FSU fan.

Robert is a classy guy. And it doesn't hurt he is a FSU fan.

You better brush up on your definitions, but I am a Noles fan. 

First Custom Buiild:

 

G Loomis Slate Blank in Garnet and Gold with Fuji hardware, still love it! 

 

Which Rainshadow blanks did you order?

RX Series? (Immortal?)

 

This build is for a toad/frog rod.

 

Immortal IMMC73HXF

RX7 IFS904 7'6"

If you don't use CP on garnet it comes out a very distinctive, rich looking, 'black cherry' color.  See approx what it will be by doing a test wrap, then applying alcohol to it.  Before the alcohol evaporates you'll see the approx color.  Looks very good on the Ti Chrome Rainshadow Immortals.

 

My first build was in high school, graduated in '58, did a few then and when in college, then gave it up for a long time.  Used to order all the parts from Herters.  Remember "Finest Procurable Quality?"   Kids/work/rebuilding an old house.  Did my first modern build as a present for my adult son, an avid fisherman.  So he could experience a world class rod.  I built a St Croix SCV 7' MF.  He was pleased, but after we really looked it over, we found that I had misaligned the guides.  What to do?  Being "new" to building, I tried bending the guides into alignment.  The guides were Fuji Y titanium guides, and those of you who have tried to bend one know, it isn't easy. And it really didn't come out well.   I didn't know at the time I had damaged the blank (longitudinal cracks under the first two guides).  My son used it for a few years with no problems, but then I asked for it back to fix it right.  When removing the guides I found the blank damage.  Only option was to carefully add a fiberglass cloth reinforcement at those points, straighten the guides to original geometry (again, a very tough job even off the rod), add the guides and rewrap.  You would have to know what to look for to detect anything out of the ordinary with the rod.  Son has used it for another 4 years or so, no problems, no detectible loss in sensitivity or other functions, and all is well.  Since then I have built him another St Croix SCV , his wife one, one for me, and two Avids for two of his kids.  All great blanks.  The 70MF SCV is a terrific blank for tubes and other finesse.  

 

The main moral of the story is, for first builds, don't use a $160 blank.

If you don't use CP on garnet it comes out a very distinctive, rich looking, 'black cherry' color.  See approx what it will be by doing a test wrap, then applying alcohol to it.  Before the alcohol evaporates you'll see the approx color.  Looks very good on the Ti Chrome Rainshadow Immortals.

 

My first build was in high school, graduated in '58, did a few then and when in college, then gave it up for a long time.  Used to order all the parts from Herters.  Remember "Finest Procurable Quality?"   Kids/work/rebuilding an old house.  Did my first modern build as a present for my adult son, an avid fisherman.  So he could experience a world class rod.  I built a St Croix SCV 7' MF.  He was pleased, but after we really looked it over, we found that I had misaligned the guides.  What to do?  Being "new" to building, I tried bending the guides into alignment.  The guides were Fuji Y titanium guides, and those of you who have tried to bend one know, it isn't easy. And it really didn't come out well.   I didn't know at the time I had damaged the blank (longitudinal cracks under the first two guides).  My son used it for a few years with no problems, but then I asked for it back to fix it right.  When removing the guides I found the blank damage.  Only option was to carefully add a fiberglass cloth reinforcement at those points, straighten the guides to original geometry (again, a very tough job even off the rod), add the guides and rewrap.  You would have to know what to look for to detect anything out of the ordinary with the rod.  Son has used it for another 4 years or so, no problems, no detectible loss in sensitivity or other functions, and all is well.  Since then I have built him another St Croix SCV , his wife one, one for me, and two Avids for two of his kids.  All great blanks.  The 70MF SCV is a terrific blank for tubes and other finesse.  

 

The main moral of the story is, for first builds, don't use a $160 blank.

 

I agree....

 

I'm not building it.. I'm paying the price.

First: G.Loomis 1448, blue over silver, alconite guides, sic tip. Best sea monster was a 71/2' manta Ray that was foul hooked. Still use it for 6oz and bait, or 6oz spoons..

Favorite: MHX CB843 purple with silver trim, alconite guides... Love throwing cranks with this rod.

my first custom rod was a Rainshadow ISWB 945 and followed a week later with a Rainshadow ISWB 946 , both swimbait rods . the 946 i got rid of , the 945 i still have but didn't fish it for awhile but recently lengthened the handle myself , now it's a dedicated catfish rod . both blanks were moderate action which i don't like . from those rods that i really didn't research much about , i learned to really find what i want out of the blank and components that i want so i have applied them to all my future builds . now i fish with rods that fit my style of fishing and what baits i throw .

Just checking in.. Seeing how your builds are going. 

Just checking in.. Seeing how your builds are going. 

in another thread , he said he bought an Abu Garcia Ike rod so he won't be going the custom route ...

Wow... go from a custom rod to an ABU?? Not sad that he isn't using our rod blanks, but rather chose a built rod that uses standard graphite vs a custom that you can get anything built any way with the best stuff. .. HMMM lol 

Wow... go from a custom rod to an ABU?? Not sad that he isn't using our rod blanks, but rather chose a built rod that uses standard graphite vs a custom that you can get anything built any way with the best stuff. .. HMMM lol 

yeah i think the same thing !!! custom is the only way to go in my book ...

 

maybe one day he'll get there and wonder why he didn't do it sooner !!   

What was your first custom build? Are you still

happy with it?

 

Mine was an 8 1/2' 6-weight fly rod built on a G. Loomis blank.  I built it back in the pre-Interwebz days, when you didn't have access to all the good advice, information, instruction, reviews, etc. we have now.  It came out pretty nice; I made a small wrapping mistake on one guide, I think.  Several years later, it developed a very slight, but very annoying play in the grip area.  Some day, when I have a lot of time, and ambition to go with it, I'll attempt a repair.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

Wow... go from a custom rod to an ABU?? Not sad that he isn't using our rod blanks, but rather chose a built rod that uses standard graphite vs a custom that you can get anything built any way with the best stuff. .. HMMM lol

The Abu Ike is a fantastic Frog and Toad rod.. I never said I wouldn't put the money into a more important rod for sensitivity, a jig rod is going to happen.

I'm leaning towards the immortal blank.

The Abu Ike is a fantastic Frog and Toad rod.. I never said I wouldn't put the money into a more important rod for sensitivity, a jig rod is going to happen.

I'm leaning towards the immortal blank.

it's not about the money , it's about building a rod that is everything you want ......

it's not about the money , it's about building a rod that is everything you want ......

 

As far as price is concerned I think the IKE rod is one of the best rod values out there. If someone is going custom it should be all in.. So yes, I agree.

My first three rods were built on "yard sale" blanks. Pre-shaped cork and EVA grips, and the cheapest reel seats and guides I could find. I stripped and re-wrapped all of them twice and one a third time. I spent almost nothing until I got most of the bugs worked out of my technique. Those "rods" are stashed away, never to see the light of day.

 

Then I built a workbench, bought an Alps power wrapper, and got some "real" blanks and good components. Then another workbench,  Rikon lathe, two Nova chucks for the headstock, two live centers and a phillips chuck for the tailstock, drill bits, turning tools, cork slicing jigs, mandrels and threaded rods. Now I can make my own grips.

 

I salvaged a dehumidifier and got it put in place and running; bought a hepa filter and got it in place and running; and am now building a dust collection system. I need to get it finished before turning any more cork.

 

And thinking about another workbench. I need to get this all done before I retire. Got a month.

My first build was a 6wt fly rod. Gave it to a friend.

Ya Im just very curious.. Its because customs are far better in every way. Even production customs through a private label. At least you will know that it was assembled by an experience rod builder, guide spacing is correct, and the spine is where its built on vs straight edge... 

 

Who wants to fight a fish and the rod at the same time??

 

Just weird to go into a forum, ask about rod blanks, etc.. then go and buy a $100 rod.