Quote Originally Posted by SMClark View Post
. . . please tell me the winding check in the pictures of the finished rod wasn't bought to go on THAT rod !
Heavens, no. It's there to hold the rod upright so you can see the feather inlay in the picture.

It's a "blank" check I have started from a stainless washer. I toss a washer in a doming block, smack it around a bit, ream it out a bit, smack it around some more, file the rough spots off, and when I am happy with it, I polish it. If I never get happy with it, I am out a few minutes time and 12 cents.

Other cheap and effective winding checks you can use in a pinch are beveled faucet washers and thin neoprene washers with small center holes. The neoprene washers make a nice smooth transition from grip to blank and take the rod finish nicely.