trayner Posted April 10, 2014 Report Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) Morning all, what are your thoughts on handmade rods v shop brought rods, do you think that one is any better than the other as it were, I was looking on the Vic Gibson site at the handmade rods they make and they do look very nice but very expensive, I'm not knocking the cost as they are what they say on the tin "handmade" I was just wondering would they outperform a standard shop brought rod? I am thinking of upgrading my rods, I have a present a couple of (I only fish with 2 rods as I feel thats more than comfortable for me personally) Fox Warrior rods, very budget, but were good to learn with and certainly seem to do the job, but I have been looking to treat myself to a pair of second hand rods on fleabay either Harrison or Century around 3lb to 3.25lb test curve, or even saving up and getting a pair of handmade rods from one of the rod builders on that advertise on the net. Which rods do you all use and if you had unlimited money what rods would you buy as a first choice? Edited April 10, 2014 by trayner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carpbell Posted April 10, 2014 Report Share Posted April 10, 2014 I know a little bit about hand built rods, a guy called Malc Rooker used to make rods, I have used a couple in the past, all the blanks are either Harrison or New Century, he also did a Harrison waggler rod which is a real quality piece of kit, I used to use one one the canal, it's what got me into carp fishing.He closed his shop and moved a number of years back, haven't heard of him doing anything since then.I often look to see if I can find any of his rods on the second hand market, never have. What would I buy if money was there, Harrison ballista slims, by Malc Rooker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grangemilky Posted April 10, 2014 Report Share Posted April 10, 2014 Build wise, many machine built rods will not be built using the natural spine of the blank.Aside from aesthetics, Where a custom rod really comes into its own, is the fact that its custom. You can have the handle length set up perfectly for your arm length, and the eyes positioned perfectly dependingon what reel you are going to be using. salokcinnodrog and grangemilky 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grangemilky Posted April 10, 2014 Report Share Posted April 10, 2014 And to answer your question, I have only ever used shop bought rods. I would love some custom made, but no one building using the blank I wanted, for a price I could afford! (Trebuchet light) For me, I went for a mass produced rod, from a company, and shop, that I knew of it snapped on the first outing, I could have it replaced quickly and easily. Rod blanks can have slight imperfections, and even the best rods can snap. And for me, i like the comfort in the back of my mind that if it breaks due to a manufacturing error, it won't be a hastle, with 6months wait for a replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Perry Posted April 10, 2014 Report Share Posted April 10, 2014 Simon uses custom built rods by Bruce Ashby, the Perrimiter XP model, took about 6 months waiting, but they are amazing. We actually went to try out the whole range and then Si decided on those..they are worth the money. I use shop bought and can tell the difference straight away, but it does come down to cost and how much you fish.. I like the look of the Cotwsold range...the Paceman ones I think they are called are £150 each which is very good value..heard some great things about these as well.. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smufter Posted April 10, 2014 Report Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) I currently use Chub Outkast rods, and have been very happy with them. I've got the chance to buy some second hand (almost mint) Free Spirits in just the size I want (11') and they are effectively half the price the guy paid for them new. They won't catch me any more fish that's for sure. But they look the dogs doodah's and will I feel a million dollars using them? You bet I will. Can't wait to pick them up. Edited April 10, 2014 by smufter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalthegooner Posted April 10, 2014 Report Share Posted April 10, 2014 Personally, I don't see the point of spending all of the extra cash on a custom built rod. But then, I've never used one either. If I were to try one I might totally change my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouchthathurt Posted April 10, 2014 Report Share Posted April 10, 2014 I got a set of centuary 12ft 2 3/4tc canon carp rods, they are a lovely set of rods, but they are starting to show their age. (arent we all??) nothing a good clean and a rewhipping of the eyes will sort out. The blanks are mint! I also have a set of 11ft shimano 2lb tc rods that i love, they are pretty old to, but ive never found a blank that is thinner, crisp and snappy as these rods. I love them, although they are "dated" by modern standards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salokcinnodrog Posted April 11, 2014 Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 Years ago I bought a set of Century Armalites, hand built by John Wilson when he had his shop in Norwich, John's Tackle Den it was. I eventually replaced them with a set of standard Armalite mk ll's. The ring spacing was slightly different, and the handle wasn't quite the right length for me, so I stripped down the blanks and rebuilt them, to my own specifications. The SP's I bought around 2003 were off the shelf, and seemed right anyway. As for my NG's, custom built. However these are not cheapo budget range rods at all anyway Now I'm not sure, but I think that cheaper standard range rods are not likely to be as well built as more 'luxury' up market tackle ranges. I noticed someone mentioned the spline of a rod not always being lined up on a factory built spec, and I have seen this in action, in fact if I remember rightly, Sharpy86 may even have something to say abut Free Spirit rods not always being lined up properly. Some of it is undoubtedly snobbishness, yet some of it is getting it right for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouchthathurt Posted April 11, 2014 Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 I want to strip and re-eye my centuary blanks, i'd love to replace the duplon/foam handles with cork as i love cork handles. I had to get my blanks re-eyed years ago after the eyes were twisted around themselves by a rather angry ex... Well she was an ex swiftly afterwards! Sticks and stones may break my bones but keep your mitts off my carp gear!! On the plus side, at least it was the fishing type of "tackle" that she chose to twist off... :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smufter Posted April 11, 2014 Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 I had to get my blanks re-eyed years ago after the eyes were twisted around themselves by a rather angry ex... I would have left as is mate. Would have been ideal for fishing the margins from your pod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouchthathurt Posted April 11, 2014 Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 Yeah! Although i shouldve re-eyed the rod before giving her the push, she could have paid for them as a leaving present... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonezy Posted April 11, 2014 Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 I got some NG's custom made a while ago and for me it was more about confidence and injecting abit of excitement back into fishing (like a kid with new toys). I also don't see the reason not to pay, when buying a top of the range rod, an extra £30-£50 for better workmanship and having them exactly to your specs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welder Posted April 11, 2014 Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 I want to strip and re-eye my centuary blanks, i'd love to replace the duplon/foam handles with cork as i love cork handles. I had to get my blanks re-eyed years ago after the eyes were twisted around themselves by a rather angry ex... Well she was an ex swiftly afterwards! Sticks and stones may break my bones but keep your mitts off my carp gear!! On the plus side, at least it was the fishing type of "tackle" that she chose to twist off... :blink: You're not alone in loving cork handles. I'm sort of betwixt and between in that, a few years back, I had my Greys Prodigys customised to suit me and my needs rather than having full-on custom built rods. The first thing that I insisted on was full Portugese cork handles which came out just perfect for me, all these years later I'm still loving them. I also had Fuji reel seats fitted, all of the eyes relined with PTFE which has the lowest coefficient of friction in the civilised world (possibly ) and slightly larger diameter tip-eyes. Oh, and rather posh brushed stainless butt caps. These rods are now fully mature (read "old") but I'm very fond of them and ain't looking to change them any time soon. Ian salokcinnodrog 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouchthathurt Posted April 11, 2014 Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 I was wondering if you could buy the cork and do the job myself? It seems such a simple job, and i dont have any specialist tackle shops around me who could do it for me, i dont like giving my rods to someone else either, when i had the "mature" (like it!!) blanks rewhipped, i was warned not to fish with them for about a week to let the varnish harden off and dry thoroughly, needless to say, 4hrs later ive blasted them with a hairdryer and am set up in a swim merrily angling away... Yeah, the varnish all cracked and warped and i had to strip it all off and redo it all over again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalthegooner Posted April 11, 2014 Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 I was wondering if you could buy the cork and do the job myself?... Clicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouchthathurt Posted April 11, 2014 Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 Many thanks buddy! Just checked it out, O...M...G...(to quote a teenage girl!) the 19" cork sleeves looks proper gucci...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoorayhenri Posted April 11, 2014 Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 Got the Bruce Ashby's, Harrison Ballisters an god knows what else-nice rods and far superior to my 35 year old Hutchison horizons so I keep telling myself.....yet these are the first I pick up when I head for my local ponds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouchthathurt Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 Ive got several sets i could chose, but my centuries have been there through thick and thin and i feel "lost" fishing without them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoorayhenri Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 (edited) That takes me back to an era when carping was about more about being one with nature - not like the current brigade. loading up with tinnies , casting out 100 metres + co's the carp are huddled in the middle scared Edited April 16, 2014 by nigewoodcock Swearing again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouchthathurt Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 Ive had the absolute priveledge of being able to fish for carp for 19+yrs, i love all aspects of the sport, including watching and appreciating the wildlife, i dont understand the current trend for drinking on the bank, these days getting the bivvy up, tv on etc before getting on with the inconvienance of getting the rods out... I know one lad who used to set up on the pond, cast out anywhich where and retire to his bivvy for a weekend of fostors tinnies, an ounce of weed and several hard core porn magazines, you wouldnt see him from one day to the next!! Personally, i dont really care if i blank, being there is enough, remember: Take nothing but photographs, Leave nothing but footprints, Kill nothing but time... We "borrow" the swim from mother nature, we should at least return it in as good a nick as we were lent it, we owe them that, litter louts, drunks, stoners, noisey neighbours, they dont deserve to see the wildlife in the close intimate way that us anglers do. As a footnote, i have no qualms with those who enjoy a can or two on the bank, just dont kick the asre out of it! trayner, dalthegooner and Phil 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trayner Posted April 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 Ive had the absolute priveledge of being able to fish for carp for 19+yrs, i love all aspects of the sport, including watching and appreciating the wildlife, i dont understand the current trend for drinking on the bank, these days getting the bivvy up, tv on etc before getting on with the inconvienance of getting the rods out... I know one lad who used to set up on the pond, cast out anywhich where and retire to his bivvy for a weekend of fostors tinnies, an ounce of weed and several hard core porn magazines, you wouldnt see him from one day to the next!! Personally, i dont really care if i blank, being there is enough, remember: Take nothing but photographs, Leave nothing but footprints, Kill nothing but time... We "borrow" the swim from mother nature, we should at least return it in as good a nick as we were lent it, we owe them that, litter louts, drunks, stoners, noisey neighbours, they dont deserve to see the wildlife in the close intimate way that us anglers do. As a footnote, i have no qualms with those who enjoy a can or two on the bank, just dont kick the asre out of it! Very well put sir welder 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wess Posted July 5, 2021 Report Share Posted July 5, 2021 On 10/04/2014 at 12:21, Carpbell said: I know a little bit about hand built rods, a guy called Malc Rooker used to make rods, I have used a couple in the past, all the blanks are either Harrison or New Century, he also did a Harrison waggler rod which is a real quality piece of kit, I used to use one one the canal, it's what got me into carp fishing. He closed his shop and moved a number of years back, haven't heard of him doing anything since then. I often look to see if I can find any of his rods on the second hand market, never have. What would I buy if money was there, Harrison ballista slims, by Malc Rooker Hello @Carpbell i have some malc rooker rods over here you can contact me greets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carpbell_ll Posted July 5, 2021 Report Share Posted July 5, 2021 I'm out at the moment but if there is anything I can help with post here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wess Posted July 5, 2021 Report Share Posted July 5, 2021 I sended you a private message @Carpbell_ll Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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