Is it possible to cut down the butt end of a production rod to shorten the handle length? I'm picturing cutting, sectioning out 4 inches, lightly boring the interior of the butt piece with sand paper to increase ID by a few thousanths, then sliding back on rod and epoxying. Would this work? Would the integrity of the blank be compromised?

 

Anyone interested in doing this professionally for me? Or tips for me to do on my own?

Full or split rear grip? Any warranty on the rod would be toast. You could probably buy a new rod if you hurry up for the cost of a repair I myself wouldn't warranty. Much easier and cheaper to cut the blank, and slip on a new full-length grip, they come in many predrilled IDs to fit your needs, and you could probably do it yourself. After all, we rod builders had our first everything too.

There’s more than one way to skin a cat but you’re on the right track. It won’t hurt the rod structurally. You will lose any warranty as previously advised. If you decide to move forward I suggest you post pics here or message me for any insight we can offer before you cut away. 

4" is a lot.  I've shortened a fair number of rods, but always stayed < 2".  Plan in advance how you'll balance the rod after you've chopped it.

The math I don't think works in your scenario, if you cut the blank you have to concern yourself with the ID of the butt you cut off and the OD of the remaining rod, the difference between the ID of the butt and the OD of the rod isn't a few thousands, it's maybe a 1/16th" wall difference or more from the thickness of the blank walls, ferrules on multipiece rods are reinforced with more material at the junctions, not removed so the pieces will fit thereby weakening the junction. You would have to remove a lot of material to get the two pieces that are the same diameter at your cut to fit inside each other. ID on the butt and the OD on the rod, and to get a safe junction they would have to be cut back about 6 times the rod's OD diameter. This is the overlap we use in rod repairs to breaks.

Yep, I see what you're saying, I didn't think that through. Maybe better to just cut off where I want it and have a rod builder add a brand new butt to it?

DIY.  Go to Mudhole and buy a butt that you like, wrap masking tape for spacers and glue it on.