I was just wondering how long it took some of you more experienced rodmakers to make your first rod, and how many rods you were able to make out of a single culm your first time out. Also, have any of you hand-planers had any luck sharpening your blades with a bench grinder? Just looking for an easier/quicker way to get a nicely honed edge (short of buying a pricey set of waterstones). Thanks again.

Joe Martin
Salem, OR

P.S. I was over at Bellinger the other day and got a peek at one of Daryl Whiteheads rods that they had there- had an ivory reelseat and ferrules with this amazing engraving on them. Just beautiful (and I'll bet it casts quite nicely too).