Cork Handle extension - EVERGREEN

A heavy poundage rod with a short handle really will irk the angler when not able to control the rod when fighting a 'big' fish. Some prefer not to use it anymore and just put it aside as it is troublesome to get the butt extended.

Recently I have this butt extension project for a 8-20 pounder rod with a full cork handle.  Need to extend 3 1/2". 

This is the original condition and length of the rod.

One section of the cork ring have to be sacrificed in order to remove the butt cap. 

After the butt cap was removed, insertion of the extended blank are done.
Then the cork rings are stacked and glued to the blank.

After 24 hours, the cork handle was lathed carefully  so that the shape of the new cork handle matches the old handle. This will give a seamless joint between the old and new handle.

The holes are then patched before the handle is coated with the cork seal.
Last, to glue the butt cap back to position.

Refurbishment Project : Cortland FR2000

Got a request from my buddy to do another handle refurbishment.

Existing condition of the fly rod handle.





The cork grip have to go...

Found some masking tape underneath the cork grip. I believe the rod have gone thru' some sort of refurbishment some years back.

Had the blank clean up.

And had the reel seat removed to fit in the new cork grip.

The new cork grip fitted. I have to lathed the cork handle on the blank for more accurate shape to fit the reel seat.

Then the reel seat was fixed to its' original position.

Done and it looks as good as new... but received another phone call informing me that the rod click....

Got to use some tricks up my sleeves to solve that... and it was clicking no more..

The JOHNSON "Profile" reinstatement

It was finished like that a week ago, but due some technical glinch, it had to be redo.

So, everything have to come off and rebuild.

All new cork grip right down to the reel seat.



The all new handle with cork sealant finish.

The JOHNSON "Profile"

This rod is about to get the whole new handle...

The cork insert at the reel seat was removed.

The existing cork handle was sanded slightly before wrapping over with rattan

New section of cork insert was made for the reel seat.

The new reel seat inserted and a few coats of Spar polyutherane on the rattan grip.

There... DONE.

Refurbishing handle of a Vintage EAGLE CLAW

I am just showing the completed refurbished handle or rather completely newly built handle for the Eagle Claw fly rod.

The existing cork handle was really in bad shape...  the owner should know how bad was it.. LOL