Homemade split grips

[islandbass]

Basstracker,

Thanks! Yeah, finding a way to chemically remove the epoxy would be ideal. As for acetone, do you think it would damage the blank. I have seen what it can do to plastic.

J,

I think the idea behind the notion of increased sensitivity comes from this - without the foregrip, the hand will be in direct contact with the blank as opposed to having cork or whatever material impede the transmission of feedback to the angler's hand. I reckon the increase in sensitivity will be there but not by too much.

GAJ,

Looking good! When you get to the point where you're going to shape the cork, I recommend covering the exposed blank with painter's tape. This will eliminate any chance of scratching the blank with sandpaper or rasp or file when you start to finalize the shape of the remaining cork behind the reel seat and the butt.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Ok but here's my issue. When I try this on some rods I want to remove the cork above the reel seat for sensitivity reasons. Will sanding the rod blank hurt sensitivity??

Sanding will not hurt sensitivity but sanding into the blank will compromise the rods integrity. Go slow and be careful.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Basstracker,

Thanks! Yeah, finding a way to chemically remove the epoxy would be ideal. As for acetone, do you think it would damage the blank. I have seen what it can do to plastic.

J,

I think the idea behind the notion of increased sensitivity comes from this - without the foregrip, the hand will be in direct contact with the blank as opposed to having cork or whatever material impede the transmission of feedback to the angler's hand. I reckon the increase in sensitivity will be there but not by too much.

GAJ,

Looking good! When you get to the point where you're going to shape the cork, I recommend covering the exposed blank with painter's tape. This will eliminate any chance of scratching the blank with sandpaper or rasp or file when you start to finalize the shape of the remaining cork behind the reel seat and the butt.

That's general idea behind no fore grip. A far as solvents go, I don't use anything harsher than denatured alcohol. If you can get under the epoxy without cutting into the blank it will often peel once you get it started.

[J Francho]

Won't make any noticeable difference on an average blank.

[GAJ]

With a rod like the Triumph, I am not trying to claim any extra sensitivity. It was a fun project on a rod that got no use and now it will.

It does seem to me that St Croix is making a whole lot more money on the Mojo than the Triumph based on the MSRP. Add a little bling, some technique specific wording, and charge $100 instead of $70. Just saying...

[J Francho]

You don't think that the Mexican labor is worth a little more than the Chinese labor?

[GAJ]

Serious?

[Dan:]

You don't think that the Mexican labor is worth a little more than the Chinese labor?

apparently it is to st croix!

[J Francho]

Wow, just wow.  :-X

[tyrius.]

You don't think that the Mexican labor is worth a little more than the Chinese labor?

Shipping over the ocean from China would be an added cost that you won't have to worry about so the difference in cost isn't likely to be that much.

[J Francho]

You'd have to prove that to me, and include any spiffs/tariffs/backroom discounts being handed out.  otherwise you pulling out of thin air.

Lemme guess, you guys all drive American cars, like the Chevy Equinox....

:-?

As far as "increased sensitivity, let me ask a PROFESSIONAL rod builder this question: If I came to you and said sensitivity was important to me, would you honestly suggest an SCII blank and a skeleton grip?  Seriously, the only reason guys are doing this is to make their rods look fancy.  I don't have any problem with that, but don't tell me your jig rod is better because you took a set of pliers and some sandpaper to it.

[Dan:]

You don't think that the Mexican labor is worth a little more than the Chinese labor?

Shipping over the ocean from China would be an added cost that you won't have to worry about so the difference in cost isn't likely to be that much.

how much more does it cost to ship stuff on a boat than on a truck?

I also wonder how much of a difference there is in cost of labor.

Either way, I think St Croix is benefiting from the "Made in North America" labels they can put on the Mojos.

[tyrius.]

Lemme guess, you guys all drive American cars, like the Chevy Equinox....

:-?

Nope, I drive an American car like the Toyota Sienna (made in IN).

Not that the manufacturing location means anything to me.

[tyrius.]

how much more does it cost to ship stuff on a boat than on a truck?

The rod made in China has to go on a boat and on a truck.  So, the added cost is getting it across the ocean.

[Dan:]

how much more does it cost to ship stuff on a boat than on a truck?

The rod made in China has to go on a boat and on a truck. So, the added cost is getting it across the ocean.

What about the cost of labor? There are TONS of industries that manufacture overseas because even despite additional shipping costs it is still cheaper because the cost of labor is so much less.

[J Francho]

T,

If you think the cost of doing business outside of the US is simply about shipping costs, then you know nothing. Produce one iota of fact about the costs of Mexican made rods vs. Chinese made rods, and I'll listen, otherwise you are blowing steam.

Want to know what I think? Its worth a fortune to St. Croix to label these rods "Made in North America." Look at all the guys that absolutely love these duds. And I say that lovingly, as big St. Croix user (9 or so rods from them).

[I Love BassResource]

You'd have to prove that to me, and include any spiffs/tariffs/backroom discounts being handed out. otherwise you pulling out of thin air.

Lemme guess, you guys all drive American cars, like the Chevy Equinox....

:-?

As far as "increased sensitivity, let me ask a PROFESSIONAL rod builder this question: If I came to you and said sensitivity was important to me, would you honestly suggest an SCII blank and a skeleton grip? Seriously, the only reason guys are doing this is to make their rods look fancy. I don't have any problem with that, but don't tell me your jig rod is better because you took a set of pliers and some sandpaper to it.

I'm no pro, but I'll give my answer. 

  No, I would try to get you to buy the highest quality blank you could afford. Once you chose your blank, I would than attempt to talk you out of using a foregrip 

  In OEM builds, I can't imagine the gains are going to be that noticeable.  I'm a big proponent of split grips, skeleton seats, and no foregrips, but I believe the stick needs to be built around these concepts.

  The rods in the original post look great! I don't mean to discourage what your doing, you've done well!

[zero limit]

You don't think that the Mexican labor is worth a little more than the Chinese labor?

Shipping over the ocean from China would be an added cost that you won't have to worry about so the difference in cost isn't likely to be that much.

how much more does it cost to ship stuff on a boat than on a truck?

I also wonder how much of a difference there is in cost of labor.

Either way, I think St Croix is benefiting from the "Made in North America" labels they can put on the Mojos.

My mojo does not say anywhere on the rod about where it was made, my avids and premere say USA

[J Francho]

No one said anything about Avids....

You will find, if you read the Features section, that Mojo rods are Designed in Park Falls and handcrafted in Fresnillo, Mexico.

Turn to the Avid page, and you'll see that they are designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A.

This isn't secret information, folks.   

[zero limit]

I was just trying to say no where on my mojo does it state  where it was made

[J Francho]

I'm no pro, but I'll give my answer.

No, I would try to get you to buy the highest quality blank you could afford. Once you chose your blank, I would than attempt to talk you out of using a foregrip

Not even a teeny tiny little foregrip? LOL.

In OEM builds, I can't imagine the gains are going to be that noticeable. I'm a big proponent of split grips, skeleton seats, and no foregrips, but I believe the stick needs to be built around these concepts.

I agree. I'll go a little further and say that "the concept" doesn't have to totally involve weight reduction, though that is a plus. I'd like St. Croix to make me an 8' SCIV rod just like an LTB Flippin', but with a full rear grip and rubberized cork butt. The concept here would be sacrificing a bit of weight for a bit function in the grips.

The rods in the original post look great! I don't mean to discourage what your doing, you've done well!

I agree, though I would echo the cautionary words about removing too much. Some the pictures show rear grips that would be uncomfortable with my own casting style.

I think if you're going that far, get creative and do something useful as well, like adding finger slots in the cork. A friend of mine does this, and he's no artist, but they work great for him.

[J Francho]

I was just trying to say no where on my mojo does it state where it was made

I was just telling you where it was made.  Is there a point in quoting me there?

I am wearing gray socks today....just saying. 

[GAJ]

T,

Want to know what I think? Its worth a fortune to St. Croix to label these rods "Made in North America." Look at all the guys that absolutely love these duds. And I say that lovingly, as big St. Croix user (9 or so rods from them).

Thats kind of what I am saying. My 7'MH Triumph is the same rod spec as the 7'MH Mojo that says Spinnerbait on it. The retail diff is $30. St Croix is getting fat on Mojo, and just doing low profit turns on the Triumph. I say good for them if we keep buying it.

As far as the no foregrip thing....hey just having a little fun during the freeze with a rod that was collecting dust. I'm not trying to be too serious here.

[Dan:]

T,

Want to know what I think? Its worth a fortune to St. Croix to label these rods "Made in North America." Look at all the guys that absolutely love these duds. And I say that lovingly, as big St. Croix user (9 or so rods from them).

Thats kind of what I am saying. My 7'MH Triumph is the same rod spec as the 7'MH Mojo that says Spinnerbait on it. The retail diff is $30. St Croix is getting fat on Mojo, and just doing low profit turns on the Triumph. I say good for them if we keep buying it.

As far as the no foregrip thing....hey just having a little fun during the freeze with a rod that was collecting dust. I'm not trying to be too serious here.

Don't forget the cost of the split grip as well.

[MarauderYak]

While only a handfull of people at St Croix could give specifics about total final cost of a rod made in China vs. Mexico, I can tell you it's not as far off as you may think.  Here's why...  first, China is constantly increasing regulations, and recently made noticable increases to wages.  Second, the rates for standard ocean shipments have greatly increased over the last couple of years.  Third (and this is huge), there was essentially a clarification on the application of the tariffs a few years ago that increased the cost of Asain imports (for not all, but many companies).

Combine all that with the super highway that's supposed to be built from Mexico City up to KC, and I'd say St Croix is just ahead of the curve.