St Croix 6-12lb with Abalone Veneer inlay and full MATAGI components.

This built was requested after seeing the abalone inlay on the MHX.

This SCIII blank is a 2pc 6-12lb.

A closer look at the painted MATAGI reel seat.

Setting up the handle length and spacing before fixing the abalone veneer inlay.

Starting off by cutting the veneer sheet to size and fix it onto the blank.

1st epoxy coating applied.

The 1st coating of epoxy was roughen with sand paper and wrapping are done on the epoxy coating.

A final layer of epoxy to the Abalone veneer inlay.

Then the handles and reel seat are fitted in, leaving the butt cap to be done at a later stage.

Rod decal fixed prior epoxy coating.

Sample wrapping

After epoxy...

Handle with abalone veneer done up.

MATAGI butt cap.

COMPLETED ROD

MHX Cockle Rod

This blank is similar to my sample blank for my own custom rod. 6'6" of length and rated at 4-8lb 2 section.

My friend called this a "cockle shell" rod because of the abalone shell used for the split butt section exposed blank.

Parts for the rod

Arrangement

Abalone deco to exposed blank at split butt.

Test fitting before epoxy

Sky blue thread with titanium trim at the center.

Guides done

On the drying jig after epoxy

Wrapping after epoxy

MGX mounted on the rod...