Restoring Bamboo Rods - CANEROD

9/11/2004 Principles and Practice 1

Restoring Bamboo RodsRestoring Bamboo Rods

Douglas Easton


DefinitionsDefinitionsWhat's the difference between “Original” and “Authentic?”– Originality is priceless; authenticity can be bought. 1

What does a “Rod Restorer” do?– RESTORATION - return to a former state; (usually

fishable, with authentic parts).– REFURBISH - renovate, make as if new; (strip and

replace with appropriate parts and finish).– CONSERVE - keep from decaying; (for museum pieces).

1 Mike Sinclair


Bamboo Rod Grading SystemBamboo Rod Grading Systemfrom "Antique and Collectible Fishing Rods" Identification from "Antique and Collectible Fishing Rods" Identification and Value Guide by D. B. and Value Guide by D. B. Homel Homel

MINT CONDITIONNew or un circulated, a rod that looks perfect. The mint rod may show signs of careful handling. Mint will always have original bag, case or tube. All tags, labels, decals are pristine.

EXCELLENT CONDITIONThe highest grade that can be assigned a second hand rod, just as it came from the manufacturer Rod will display: Fine Original finish

– No missing sections or components – No breaks, fractures, dirt or wear – Shows evidence of minimal use – Original bag, case with tags and labels

VERY GOOD CONDITIONA completely sound rod, no evidence of hard use or abuse. Rod will display:

– Original finish with few flaws – Grip, ferrules and reel seat show average, moderate use – No missing or altered components (exceptions noted) – Some minor wear to wraps and guides acceptable – Rod complete with original bag and tube or case – Rod was well maintained and fully functional


Condition GuideCondition Guide-- ContinuedContinued

GOOD CONDITIONEssentially the same as "very good" condition rod, "fishable" with few more maladies or wear and tear,

"mostly" original and authentic.– Repair or maintenance work on rod noticeable without being obnoxious.

FAIR CONDITION– Common characteristic of a "fair" rod is that it has been poorly refinished or needs some degree of

restoration.– We're talking about some damage here, rather than use and wear. Often the original bag and tube are

missing.

POOR CONDITION– The rod needs complete restoration which might include construction of new rod sections.

RESTORED*– Completely refinished to required level (usually very good to excellent) .– Original hardware/specifications were used

REFURBISHED*– Non-original hardware and/or specifications were or may have been used.– stripped and all wraps refinished replaced

*Defined by Doug Easton


A Rod in Mint ConditionA Rod in Mint Condition

Heddon Premier #115 – Mint/Excellent Condition. Note the level of finish on the rod is not the “Gossamer thread/high-gloss varnish” job we do on the rods we make.


Goals for the RestorerGoals for the RestorerFirst- Do no harm!– originality cannot ever be replaced (There are simply

some rods that should never be restored. They deserve a place in a museum somewhere).

Do as little as needed.– The toughest job a restorer/repairer can undertake is to

replace one or two guides or wraps on a rod that is otherwise in excellent condition. Think of it as a face-lift.

– If you (or your client) intend to fish the rod, you must then determine how much needs to be done to reach that goal.

Do the best you can to maintain the original look and feel of the rod.– Use original components, colors, materials etc. Do not

over restore.


Refurbish?Refurbish?

Remember, as soon as you begin to strip a rod it will never be the same!– Somewhere there is a point where the value of

the rod in the refurbished state exceeds that of the rod in the original state.

– Some rods cannot be made fishable without refurbishing.

– Some rods cannot be made fishable with refurbishing (Antique rods – pre 1900).


Refurbish Refurbish VsVs. Restore . Restore

What sorts of rods are most likely to qualify for refurbishing?– Good fishing rods with low to moderate

collector value– Rods with serious flaws which interfere with

functionality and collectability– Rods with little collector value, as is, can make

nice displays if refurbished


Learning CurveLearning CurveStart with “handyman specials.”Resources– Books – Todd’s tips– Clark’s online bulletin board– The Rodmakers List – Online photos of rods (eBay & dealer’s sites)

Tools & equipment– Standard rodmaker’s tools – Thread collection– Salvaged parts


TechniquesTechniques

Standard rod making techniques– Ferrule setting, wrapping, varnishing etc.

Restorer techniques– Identification & documentation– Thread and cane color matching– Finish restoration (polishing)– Finish removal– Scarfing– Cane repair (fractures/delaminations)– Straightening


Standard ProceduresStandard ProceduresExamine and document rod.– Determine make model and approximate age of

rod.– Make a tracing of rod– Place lose parts in a labeled container– Note all apparent problems (missing guides,

delaminations, lose ferrules, fractures, etc)– Estimate the value of rod

Determine requirements, benefits, and issues involved in restoring, refurbishing or conserving the rod.


Time RequirementsTime RequirementsI timed it out - restoring rods, that is - with a time clock. Mostly because I wondered what my hourly rate was for doing rod restorations. After a while I stopped timing because it became too depressing. I’m a little faster at performing some of the work now, because I don’t make as many stupid mistakes that have to be redone. But the truth is, it takes a lot of hours to restore a rod. Just how long always depends on a lot of factors such as the maker of the rod, its age, current condition, how much restoration the customer desires, the phase of the Moon and whether there is any likelihood of a decent hatch in the next fewdays. ~ Mike Sinclair

I don’t expect to make any money restoring rods! I mostly do it for myself. ~ Doug Easton


Some Case StudiesSome Case Studies


Case Study #1: Gene Edwards Case Study #1: Gene Edwards A & F Favorite 7’6” 3A & F Favorite 7’6” 3\\22

– Missing one tip, other tip down 5”– Bag marks (sticky finish)– Loose butt ferrule– Tube but no bag– Guides missing


A & F Favorite ContinuedA & F Favorite ContinuedRod striped – Two new tips made to

taper – All snake guides replaced

with near match– Ferrules removed/re-set– Re-wrap with close match

thread– Re-varnish– Reel seat insert sanded &

re-varnished– Cork cleaned– New bag made


Case Study #1: Gene Edwards Case Study #1: Gene Edwards A & F FavoriteA & F Favorite

Refurbished Rod


Case #2: Dame Stoddard (Boston) Case #2: Dame Stoddard (Boston) 9'6"9'6" 33\\2 by FE Thomas2 by FE Thomas

Pictures can be deceiving


Case #2 Dame StoddardCase #2 Dame Stoddard

Issues noted on inspection– 1 tip down 8”– Striping guide missing– Some snake guides missing– Some mildew on cane– Finish missing on some sections– Some intermediates missing– Reel seat carved with jack knife


Case #2: Repair work doneCase #2: Repair work doneReel seat sanded to shape & refinishedSecond tip scarfedStriping guide replaced with NS/AgatineFinish removed by scraping (original wraps retained)Missing guides replaced with original ThomasMissing intermediates replacedRod re-varnished


Case #2: RestoredCase #2: Restored


Case #3 F E Thomas SpecialCase #3 F E Thomas Special

Somewhere there is a rod in there.

– Of all the tips there is only one original and it is broken at the butt and the tip

– There is a dark stain at the butt ferrule

– The tip ferrule is missing and the butt ferrule is cracked

– This rod is in baadshape!


Case #3 Restoration Work DoneCase #3 Restoration Work DoneMake two tips based on known tapersReplace top ferrule (build up station)Scarf butt below ferruleReplace butt ferruleStrip finish leaving good wraps intactReplace missing guides & tip topRe-wrap and varnish


Case #3: RestoredCase #3: Restored


Resources Resources --BooksBooks

Sinclair, M. Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook.Out of print – limited availability.The book will help you understand a little of the history of the major bamboo companies, characteristics of their rods and gives exacting detail on wrap colors and placements, reel seat types, guide types etc. All the details necessary to restore the rods included in this book . The book concentrates on low and mid-range rods. All important techniques are discussed.


Resources Resources -- BooksBooks

Kirkfield, Stuart The Fine Bamboo Fly Rod: A Master’s Secrets of Restoration and Repair.Out of Print- limited availability. This is a comprehensive book on the subject. Starts with good overview of bamboo fly rod evaluation, and walks the reader through the entire process of stripping, repair, varnishing, and includes minute details of each process.


Resources Resources -- BooksBooks

Campbell, AJ Classic and Antique Fly-Fishing Tackle. Lyons & Burford, 1997.In-depth coverage of traditional tackle from the 1860s to the 1920s, and affordable production tackle from the 1930s to the 1960s. Discusses the history, design, construction, fishing characteristics, and identification of gear, and offers tips on future collectibles; he adds specific instructions for the care and repair of antique and classic tackle. Lots of helpful photos and old advertisements.


Books with Some Relevant Books with Some Relevant InformationInformation

Garrison, E. & Carmichael, H.A Master’s Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod. Out of print – limited availabilityCattanach, W. Handcrafting Bamboo Fly Rods. Lyons Press, 2000Gould, R. Constructing Cane Rods: Secrets of the Bamboo Fly Rod. Frank Amato Publications, 1998Schweibert, E. Trout, 1978 and 1984 Out of print –limited availability


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Restoring Bamboo Rods - CANEROD