I have some rods that I got from an old homestead in Saint John NB, and have inherited some from along the way…
They are not bamboo they are what is called lance wood or greenheart wood
I have one that is a blank of this it is about the size of a fly rod but is still squire and in a jig.
I also have some old rod holders and parts…
Just not sure if they are worth any thing or how to preserve them.
Anybody with ideas or advise or directions or suggestions?
Do you have any pictures that you can post so we can see the items?
Joe - They are at the house in SW AB, Ann and I will be there end Aug for a couple of weeks, will get some then
SORRY…
Lancewood and greenheart were the materials of choice for rods before bamboo rode into view. Once Chinese bamboo came in it was more ‘predictable’ in rod making, makers knew what the rod would be like - whereas lancewood or greenheart were … woods. Strength and flexural properties were never the same. Fiberglass came in shortly after the war replacing the popularity of cane, and graphite arrived after that. The last 2 arrivals more affordable to the common consumer. Cane seems to be making somewhat of a comeback in it’s own right now, and I think in years so will glass (for some un-guessable reason or other).
What I’m trying to point out, is although the Lancewood and Greenheart may turn out to be not-so-desired an entity NOW … who knows, it just might return like bamboo rods of Eustis Edwards or Sam Carlson. Just takes time … :?
Would be interesting if you could post pics in a while.
darrell,
Any wood rod from the Saint John area should be looked at VERY carefully. Saint John was the center for rod makeing in Canada from about 1860 to about 1900, both of these dates are + or - a bit. There were 3 makers of note in the area, Dingee Scribner, C. Baillie, and Joe Dalzell, all of these makers worked with wood, like lancewood, greenheart and some times ash in the but sections. These rods often were “lashed”, no ferrules, but not always. I have 2 Scribner rods that have brass, spiked ferrules. Many of these rods would have rattan or formed wood grips and flip ring guides were the norm. By todays standard these rods would out sized, many being
12’ feet + in length.
The bottom line in all of this is that those wood rods could be a great find and very collectable. Some one with a background in old rods should look them over.
Bruce
Ps By the way, the sequence of materials would be, wood, calcutta cane, tonkin cane, fiberglass, etc.
There were also a number of metal rods, cheaper to make and quicker but weight was a huge issue. I have about 6 wood rods and 2 I am getting work done to them. I have cast the other 4 and was not thrilled. The woods that were used did very by the area they were made in with more made for a more dapping like cast then what we are used to. Their value is also an odd thing, mostly never going sky high to due to demand with many that are worth very little due to condition. A good condition wood rod can go for alot when you find the right person and if the rod is in very good condition.
Joe Fox
Well just got back from SW Alberta and here is a Pic of the Wooden rod blank and the Card of the guy who made it
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z274 … GP0187.jpg
This rod by Charles Baillie is a VERY collectable item, hell even the card is a collectable. The card lists his address as King St, he moved to that address in 1898 and remained there until about 1917. From the picture it looks like the rod is a "lashed " rod, no ferrules. There is a very good chance that this rod is pre 1900. He also put his rods up in a very nice form case, much like Dingee Scribner’s. Its thought that his total output of rods was rather low, which explains why many more of Dingee’s rods are in todays collections. In all the years I’ve worked with old rods I’ve only seen one Baillie rod, and it wasn’t for sale.
Bruce
