Drew,

The reel seat can be wrapped in a heavy plastic bag (like a freezer zipper type bag) and dunked in boiling water to remove it. Check frequently to make sure you apply just enough heat to loosen the epoxy holding it in place.

The cork can be cut off with a knife, but be careful once you get near the blank so you don't damage it. If the cork is not damaged, it can be cleaned with warm soapy water to remove any oils, and lightly sanded after it's dry if need be. This saves you having to replace the handle and winding check, unless you want a new one for a better fit for your hand.

Have fun and post some pictures of your progress if you can. It's a labor of love reworking old rods, especially when you can build a brand new one in about 4-5 hours.

Joe