So I've been wanting to try this since I got my wood lathe and finally a couple weeks ago I did. Basically I took an old Berkley Cherry Wood 6' MH that was missing guides, stripped the cork handles off and removed remaining guides. This left only the reel seat still attached. I then turned two pieces of pine to replace the cork handles and dipped them in polyurethane. Since the reel seat was still on the blank I had to put the handle on from the butt end. Which was no problem it was still extremely snug on the blank. I epoxied the handles on, tied and finished the guides and here it is.

And before you comment on the handle being slippery, I fished several hours with this rod in 40 degree weather and never once felt like I was going to throw it in the lake.

P.S. Last night I finished coating the guide wraps on another rod. Pics of that one will come tomorrow

Before

After

Looks great!  How does it feel as far as weight wise?

Addicting isn't it? Handle looks good. Lot's of fly rods are built with exotic wood as grips. Most people don't realize that the smoother the grip, the less slippery it is, like the carbon skinned grips for example.

Thanks! I really didn't notice any added weight when using the rod. Most of my store bought rods seem tip heavy and this one is definitely more balanced. Which to me, makes it more comfortable to use.

Addicting isn't it? Handle looks good. Lot's of fly rods are built with exotic wood as grips. Most people don't realize that the smoother the grip, the less slippery it is, like the carbon skinned grips for example.

Extremely addicting! I just finished a jig/worm rod that I'm about to post and I have a blank for a spinning rod that I can't wait to start. 

how did you get the foregrip on?

In the top picture, it looks like the blank was cut off a few inches above the seat?

how did you get the foregrip on?

I removed the old guides and the foregrip unscrewed and slid off. Then I just had to drill out the wood to fit the plastic. And put the foregrip back on before wrapping the new guides.

how did you get the foregrip on?

I removed the old guides and the foregrip unscrewed and slid off. Then I just had to drill out the wood to fit the plastic. And put the foregrip back on before wrapping the new guides.

ohhhhh gotcha. i didn't know you took the guides off; i should read closer  ;D

In the top picture, it looks like the blank was cut off a few inches above the seat?

Nevermind, that's the butt end, LOL.