another Birch bark grip

[Mike Popick]

IMG]http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q245/gatech2001/IMG_0016.jpg[/IMG]

end caps and reel seat are stabilized elm burl, winding check is tapered elk antler, rod is a St Croix SCV

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[Sirrom]

Mike,
Looks like you have done it again. Very, very nice.
Chuck

[mhedlund]

Wow that looks AWSOME!!!

[LadyFisher]

Very classy!

[DShock]

Mike,
That is a work of art! WOW!
Doug

[mhedlund]

What did you use for finish on the birch bark? I used tru-oil on the one I made and it seems that it might be a bit slippery when wet?
Mike

[Mike Popick]

I have used tung oil, Man of War varnish thinned in the past and it turns the bark dark which sometimes looks pretty good. Right now I do not apply any finish, the bark has some resins in it and it tends to restrict water entry. Most important is to let the rod air dry before tubing it. Much like caring of a bamboo rod so far no complaints in 3 years from those who have the grip. 90% of the rods I get orders for have the birch grip requested - the time it takes to build the grip, turn the reelseat, winding check, end caps is about 6 hours. Since this is a hobby and not a profession I limit my rod production to 1 a month.

[cholcomb13]

Nice work

[DShock]

I have used tung oil, Man of War varnish thinned in the past and it turns the bark dark which sometimes looks pretty good. Right now I do not apply any finish, the bark has some resins in it and it tends to restrict water entry. Most important is to let the rod air dry before tubing it. Much like caring of a bamboo rod so far no complaints in 3 years from those who have the grip. 90% of the rods I get orders for have the birch grip requested - the time it takes to build the grip, turn the reelseat, winding check, end caps is about 6 hours. Since this is a hobby and not a profession I limit my rod production to 1 a month.

WISE man!
Doug

[Jeremy]

Very classy looking piece of work Mike.

She begs to be sitting on cane...*G*

You did a nice job.

Jeremy.