Shortening A Rod Handle

[eric1978]

Well I just picked up a GLX (baitcaster) at 40% off retail. I wanted a Bronzeback model with a shorter handle, but it was just too good a deal to pass up. The rod itself is the same length as the one I originally wanted, it just has a little longer handle. I'd like to shorten it about 3 inches.

Questions:

Do you guys think that would drastically affect the balance and feel of the rod? It's a GLX so it's light as a feather and I'm not that worried about it...just curious, though. Can you think of any other reasons I may not want to do it?

How do you do it? I have no rod-building experience. Can you re-use the cap or will I need a new one? Do you guys use a jig or something to cut handles perfectly straight?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all.

[Gavin]

Eric, If you want it to look nice....I'd take it over to Tom Hargrove and tell him what you want done.......www.thargrove.com.

[eric1978]

Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Any idea what he might charge for that?

[Gavin]

Nope...I'm sure he could give you an estimate....His repair prices are very reasonable.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I did my Falcons and it wasn't that hard. The first step would be to heat the end cap and see if it can be pulled off. If so then simply match the profile again a little farther up the handle where you want it.

[ness]

Can't help you on the handle, but I got a lotta ways to shorten the other end.

[eric1978]

Can't help you on the handle, but I got a lotta ways to shorten the other end.

I can't tell you how long it's been since I've broken a rod. As the years have gone by, and my rods have gotten more and more expensive, I've developed some kind of paternal over-protective sense about being careful with them. It seems to be working, but I have a feeling it's gonna get even worse now with the GLX...that's one bad thing about getting forced into buying an expensive rod because of a really good deal...you have to worry about it.

Think I'll probably take Gavin's advice and have Hargrove do it. I've got a few I'd like to chop down and maybe he'll show me how.

[ness]

I can't tell you how long it's been since I've broken a rod. As the years have gone by, and my rods have gotten more and more expensive, I've developed some kind of paternal over-protective sense about being careful with them. It seems to be working, but I have a feeling it's gonna get even worse now with the GLX...that's one bad thing about getting forced into buying an expensive rod because of a really good deal...you have to worry about it.

I know the feeling. I used to lose sunglasses all the time. Bought a pair of expensive ones, and they've lasted 5 years. Gotta run -- I'm not sure I put them back in the case.

[eric1978]

I know the feeling. I used to lose sunglasses all the time. Bought a pair of expensive ones, and they've lasted 5 years. Gotta run -- I'm not sure I put them back in the case.

The first pair of Ray-Bans I bought I broke the first day I had them. $150 down the drain. I don't feel as protective of sunglasses as rods, though. Especially rods that have caught a lot of fish. They become like kids.

[hoglaw]

Are you talking about just shortening the grip, or physically shortening the rod? I'd look on some rod building websites about cutting down blanks before I did anything to a GLX. I seem to recall quite a few conversations on rodbuilders.org about shortening blanks. I think there were a lot of warnings about cutting down drastically changing the action of a rod. Not sure if that's true or not, but it might be worth some research.

By the way, do they have any more GLX's at 40% off?