Wood Rod Handles

[ollie]

For you rod builders out there, I have a question. A year ago at the Outdoor Expo, I saw some fancy rods that had wood handles. I thought I'd get a little crazy and try to do the same, since I liked the look so much. I picked up some birdseye maple and turned a handle and reel seat on my uncle's lathe, and now I'm ready to throw them on the blank. I've countersinked the handle to decrease weight as much as possible, and from what I can tell, it shouldn't weigh much more than your standard cork handle. I'm going to throw a coat of stain on it. Is ther anything I should watch out for? One guy suggested putting multiple layers of mineral oil on it. The ones I saw at the Expo had about 4 or 5 layers of flex coat on them.

I've built multiple rods, but this is my first experience with wood handles. Has anyone out there encountered wood handles? I would appreciate any suggestions.

[mcgx2]

I've only built one rod with a wooden reel seat. The finish used is a matter of personal preference but it should be able to withstand the elements. Some oily woods like rosewood could just be burnished because of the natural oils in the wood. On other wood you would have to use something like polyurethane or Tru oil like they use on gun stocks.

hope this helps

mcg

[Ouzel]

Having refinshed a few gun stocks and built same I would suggest using the same method as recommended in Roy Dunlap's book "Gun Owners's Boook of Care, Repair and Improvement" published by Outdoor Life, pp 218-9.
It is as easy as other methods but the oil finish becomes part of the wood rather then coating over it. The durability of the finish is remarkable.