|
This is the
custom reel
seat that I use for all my Custom rods
less than 8 foot 6 weights. Its classic styling reflects both
simplicity and functionality. The wood insert is claro walnut
burl.
|
|
This is the
seat on the trout rod I have personally fished most for several
years, a 7' 6" five
weight. The wood is Carpathian Elm Burl.
|
|
Integrating the
wooden reel seat filler into a grip check makes for a nice look.
On this two weight rod with a light Cherry burl reel seat insert the
cork grip flows smoothly into the reel seat. Those who often grip
low on the rod find this arrangement comfortable as well as attractive. |
|
Some prefer
deeply blued nickel silver hardware on their rods as seen on this 8'
three weight. This wood is a magnificent ash burl.
|
|
Stabilized
Australlian Fish-tail oak complements the bamboo in theis darkly flamed
7'6" five weight. My personal tastes tend toward the color of the
reel seat insert coordinating with the overall scheme of the rod.
Not everything has to match exactly, but coordinated colors look better
to me.
|
|
Sometimes the
simplest woods make the most striking statements. This quarter
sawn oak seems to change its appearance depending on the angle from
which it is viewed. The golden oak colors complement the very
lightly flamed bamboo.
|
|
Though I lack
the
artistic talent to do my own engraving, I contract a few seats each
year with one of the country's finest engravers. This level of
work is beyond craft, and is truly art. Engraved seats like this
add approximately $300
to the price of Custom Rods |
|
Engraving
can be used to add a custom touch, like the initials "GKH" added to the
butt cap of this seat. This level of engraving adds about $150 to
the cost of the custom rod.
|
|
Brilliant
burled cherry insert, bright orange wraps, blonde bamboo, and jewelry
grade engraving made this an attractive rod. |
|
Perhaps we can
call this "Engraving Lite". Just a touch of engraving to make the
rod one-of-a-kind.
|
|
Even simple
engraving
like this adds a note of distinction to custom made rods. This rod was
purchased by a former President of the Custom Rodbuilders Guild and
uses reel seat hardware from REC.
|
|
Bi-color
spalted maple adds an unusual look. I received a nice supply of
this type of wood in June 2007 and will be making a few inserts similar
to this soon. |
 |
My friend
Bob Venneri did beautful work for me for several years. I used
many of his seats in my early rod work. The stabilized black
walnut burl is beautiful, though it isn't an insert I made here in the
shop. |
|
An unusual Oak
burl in a
starburst pattern in a reel seat made for me by a my friend Leo Eck in
Jacksonville, Arkansas. |
|
Tiger striped
maple
stains beautifully, highlighting every nook and cranny of its grain. I
hand make all the fillers for my reel seats today. |
|
Angle sawn
walnut in REC hardware with a pocketed butt cap and a simple slide band. |
 |
A beautiful Bob
Venneri
reel seat with a bird's eye claro walnut filler, extremely rare.
|
 |
Crosscut Cherry
burl
makes a nice seat for lightly flamed rods. |
 |
Maple burl
looks nice in
this slide band seat made by Bellinger. |
 |
Spalted walnut
burl in an
REC slide band seat. |
 |
Olive burl
gives an
interesing look, and it smells wonderful while it is being worked on
the lathe. |
 |
Some clients
prefer
screw-locking reel seats on larger rods. On rods over 8' 6
weight, at the client's request I will use either Bellinger or REC
screw-locking hardware. This unusual insert is an Ash burl I turned. |
