BATTLEAX "Harimau" Smith Ltd.

I received 2 great blanks early May this year. I have never come across these nice solid looking BATTLEAX Smith Ltd blanks. It has kevlar wrapping at the lower part of the blank.

Here are some of the photos taken during test fitting.

I planned to use 10+1 Fuji Alconite guides on this rod, but after measuring and bend testing, I found out 9+1 is already sufficient.

And this is how it looks after completion.

The handle.

 

The guides..

the butt.... cap

Lamiglas EXCEL 12-25lb

This is another LAMIGLAS EXCEL that I have completed yesterday. This might resembled the 1st Lamiglas EXCEL that was built in January this year at a glance, but if you look closely it is very different.

The blank is 6'6" in length and rated at 12-25lb. This blank have been discontinued last year.


These parts was earlier suggested.

 

..and this was finally adopted and used.

 

 

Fuji Alconite Guides

 

Handle fixed..

then the decal

 

Guides wrapped..

 

A close-up view on the wrapping after epoxy.

 

Completed rod.

 

A closer look at the reel seat.

Just in case you wondered how the other Lamiglas EXCEL looked like..

here it is...

 

Zeds KR-Concept Spinning

Building of a KR Concept spinning rod from the St Croix SC3 6-12lb fast action blank.

The main ingredient ... SC3 - 3S60MF

Accessories :

Fuji Alconite KL guides

Fuji VSS reel seat with KDPS hood and EVA fore grip. Actual planned for EVA butt piece but later was changed to aluminum deco butt cap.

Setting up of handle. The split handle is actually shorter in the completed rod.

Rod decal installation with metallic wrapping at both ends.

Metallic trimming at exposed blank of the split grip area.

Metallic thread wrapping to KL guides pending epoxy.

After-epoxy effect. Turned slightly darker in shades.

View of full guides after epoxy.

Completed handle.

CAMO Handle MHX

I started off with the handles for this rod. Experimenting with different way to enhance the split grip exposed blank.

Of course, first I choose the material that I wanted to use for the grip.
Green CAMO EVA from Matagi.

I tried tiger wraps on the split grip area. It was not what I expected it to be. It's harder than I thought.

With the winding check at both side.

Pre fitted grip before shaping the handle.

Shaped..

MATAGI butt cap at the bottom.

Classic twist Black/Green thread for wrapping. CP is required for this thread.

Sample wrapping coated with CP.
L-series guide and K-series guide.

Rod decal

Fore grip finishing

Guides up pending expoxy.

Rod completed...

GLoomis classic

This GLoomis blank is one of those old stocks in the market as GLoomis not longer produce its' blanks for sale in the market.

At 5'6" rated 10-17lb, I would say it's a heavy duty rod to be. The blank was extended 6" to make it 6'.  Guess it would be easier to cast with extended handle.

This rod will be using GLoomis graphite reel seats with cork grips.
The rear grip is off set by 15 degree for comfortable handling.

The original rubber butt cap was replaced with a deco aluminum butt cap.

Fuji alconite guides with s/s finished frame wrapped with black thread and 'silverback' metalic trim.

Standard guide placement.

GLoomis rod decal. Made in America.

The cork grip was applied with U40 cork sealant for better protection from wear and tear.

Overall view of the completed rod.