Can a spinning rod with a Tennessee handle be converted to have a more conventional handle (i.e. reel seat, etc.)?

If so, where would one go to find information on how this is done?

If you can get the cork off without damaging the blank, it is doable, but it will take some knowhow to get it back together properly. The blank is tapered and you will have to use a larger reel seat and shim it to fit properly when you glue it back up. You can post your questions on ....

www.rodbuilders.org and get some help there. If you were close to me, I would help you.

Ronnie

As Ron stated it's doable.

But just the fact that your working from the back of the blank calls for some advanced rod building experience.

I have 15+ yrs experience, and I would talk the client out of this mod, and onto a build with what is wanted on a spinning rod.

Use of the rodbuilders.org search engine will put you on some of the best information.

Good Luck....

Leave it as is.....Tennessee grips are gonna make a comeback.  They are couture fashion in Japan right now. 

I too, would tend to advise against modifying this grip, especially if this is your first rod building project. It could get a little involved. Francho's right about the Tennessee handle coming back into vogue as well.

Leave it as is.....Tennessee grips are gonna make a comeback. They are couture fashion in Japan right now.

I hope you are right.  I hate the screw handles.  I've been considering having a rod made with a TN handle.

Just about all of the spinning rods in my arsenal, and all of the rods in the boss' arsenal are Ten. Grips.

This one is almost 10 yrs old...

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But this grip style is lighter...

Tight Wraps Builders! 8-)

RM,

Can you combo those up and make a split grip on a TN handle?  Just have a bevel on both ends of the cork before it splits?  That would be sweet.

I fish the screw lock ones but they just hurt my hands after awhile.

Back a few yrs Low Budget Hooker asked me about a Tenn. grip that wasn't really a Tenn. grip

Here is a look at just what can be done with the old Tenn styling...

What is the advantage of such a handle ?

Well I think its safe to say I've been deterred (i.e. scared) from attempting this modification.

Just to be clear, I don't hate the Tenn handle per se. The rod I have is a St Croix premier 6' medium, from a few years ago when they sold a stock model with the TN handle. On this model, I feel the TN handle is much thicker than other brands. I have short fingers, which essentially makes my hands function "small." What I really want now is this blank with a grip more like the Legend Tourn. rod series (and not just for the aesthetics -- that grip fits my hand perfectly with barely any foregrip.) But it sounds like I'm stuck with what I've got, which isn't terrible by any means.

Thanks for all the advice.

Back a few yrs Low Budget Hooker asked me about a Tenn. grip that wasn't really a Tenn. grip

Here is a look at just what can be done with the old Tenn styling...

That is what I'm talking about RM.  Sweet!!

The benifits for me is no plastic threads to eat up my hands.  Some reason after hrs of fishing it starts hurting my hands where the threads are at.

That and have you ever picked up a spinning rod grabbed the black reel seat that has been sitting on a deck in 105° sun..

F&%#@&% HOT! is a word I have screamed many times in past years. One of the main reasons why I went to Tenn. grips...

Tight Wraps Builders!    8-)

Back a few yrs Low Budget Hooker asked me about a Tenn. grip that wasn't really a Tenn. grip

Here is a look at just what can be done with the old Tenn styling...

Nicely executed.  That's gotta feel nice on cold and hot days.

Only one problem with that type of Tenn. grip. The rod has to be balanced as the grip is installed..

Were as with a true Tenn. grip you have the ability to move the reel and the rings to achieve the balance point desired.

Tight Wraps Builders!

What is the advantage of such a handle ?

Primarily flexibility of reel placement and grip comfort.