I recently bought an old 9’ Heddon Black Beauty.It has seen better days but I feel I can bring it back to life.I’ve been refinishing HI’s-Montys-SouthBends and feel pretty comfortable tackling the Heddon…My question is this.The ferrels are black,but are in pretty bad shape.How would I refinish them and with what?
Thanks
John
I would give Dave LeClair a call on the ferrules. I have seen them refinished with everything from oxidizing them with Oxphoblue, Birchwood casey’s Brass Black, to being painted (as they originally were as some have told me) with a black lacquor. Depending on the condition fo the ferrules themselves, you can remove the old finish with a quality stripper then assess their condition and go from there…the good news is…its all black from that point and when you finish you have a really sweet rod. What ferule size is your black beauty?
This one is a 2 1/2 ferrule.I do have an 8 1/2 2" beauty that is in great shape.I figured at least I have a good referance rod to fall back to if I have any questions pertaining to the wraps.Which brings me to another question…Who is a good outlet for silk thread? Mud Hole doesn’t have Orange.
John
Try Russ at Goldenwitch
[url=http://www.goldenwitch.com:e7e65]www.goldenwitch.com[/url:e7e65]
Darn, dleo beat me to it! But, yeah, Golden Witch is a good bet, and they have a thread matching service, as well as a ferrule matching service, if you’re wanting to get it back to near original condition.
Joe Martin
Salem, OR
The black lacquor worked great,and looks good.I’m wondering if I should varnish the ferrules or leave the alone. What do you think?
John
typically, the black lacquor would be covered with a clear coat to help protect and preserve that hard black lacquor…I think that wihout the clear coat to protect it, the black would soon chip off and become pretty ugly…
Cant wait to see some pictures of it!@!
Leo
I’m hoping to have it finished up this week.I’ve printed off the detailed instructions on the proper way to post pictures here so with any luck I’ll be able to show this sucker off.I’m not going to promise anything.
John
John,
Coinkidinks. “Hello, my name is Quinn. I’m addicted to grass!” I just sent off a small check for a Heddon #10 (low end Heddon rod) but very excited nevertheless as it is my first foray into a brand name rod. I too have been working on blue collar HI, SB, and Montys for the past couple of years.
Hope I can control this addiction. 
God Blesses!
A wing & a Prayer! ----*<(((><~ ~ ~ ~
Quinn
Caster,
All I can say is good luck.Once it get’s ahold of you,it’s uncontrolable.
John
Hey John, very very nice piece of work. I am so sorry to say that you are now probably hooked for life and addicted to the lovely reed.
Beautiful work, I hope you don’t mind me posting your great pics of your Black Beauty, and that is a perfect description of her too…
Hey folks! John sent me these pictures of his Black Beauty, and I think he did a magnificant job with it!! WHATTAYATHINK?!!!
[This message has been edited by dleo6446 (edited 25 April 2006).]
Very Nice!!! I only hope my work on the South Bend 395s comes out nearly as well.
REE
REE, I am so certain that it will.
say, by any chance, you don’t happen to have a Sharps rifle do you?
LD
John,
That lacquer looks great with the black and maroon wrapping. Inspires me clear my schedule for time at the work bench. Well done!
God Blesses!
A wing & a Prayer! ----*<(((><~ ~ ~ ~
Quinn
Dleo,
Sorry, Buddy. I sold my old (as in original) Sharps 45-70 years ago. There are some fine reproductions out there for a reasonable price.
When I did stock and inlay work for a master gunsmith we only did flintlock rifles and pistols. No cartridge models.
REE
REE, Did you know Denny is a master carver? He doesn’t talk about it much.
JC,
Yup. Denny and I talked about his talent at great length. Apparently Liz also shares the talent.
REE