The Humble Shoop

Jan 23rd, 2018

There is without any doubt, an incredible feeling of satisfaction when rods built from bamboo begin to take on a life, born from the post harvest years. Culms are simply inactive, awaiting energy and direction, to materialize into a form from the maker, the artist, the director, the thinker, the believer. What dynamics of thinking take place in a small shop are really no different than the traveler who embarks on a journey into known and sometimes unknown lands to explore, meet and ultimately connect with a part or all of their dream. In truth, I think I am constantly meeting myself, at least the way I use to think, somehow through a law I do not fully understand, I return to face my old thoughts, feelings and desires. What to learn? Maybe, simply, how to think, and what!

Anyway, progress is absolute. I do not care how long I may be in a stalled position. I will move forward. As is the case with these rods, where sometimes I get crazy with burning the midnight lamp, awaken with ideas where I choose to write on some paper, then back to slumber. But rest I do.

The photos show some progress in the fabrication of ferrules for the 2 pc. 7 foot 4 inch rod. This is a Payne 98 modification and seems to work nicely. There is also a 3 pc. rod, 7 foot 3 inches, again a Payne modification of same dimensional value as the 2 pc. But you know as well as I that the action will differ. I am always keen to see how this turns out.

My ferrules are fabricated from solid stock, 18% German silver, and I have moved away from Swiss style design and staying with a Leonard style ferrule with a 25-30% truncated design.

Feb.10th, 2018

Moving along with the wrapping of ferrules and guides on the earlier pentagonal series. There are now three completed with the idea of building extra tips for each. This would entail constructing two sections for the tip. Lots of work, but in the long run it may prove a worthy endeavor. Some photos of the most recent work to follow.

The two reel seats with unfinished cork are two 7 foot rods with a deeper and darker cane. A product of gases from ammonium carbonate and then the heat treating. I am more inclined to shape the color rather than leave the rod the blonde shade, which I am assuming is the more popular finish? I know it takes some work, mostly time, to deepen the hue on cane but it is worth the effort and wait. At least for me.

Well, this is another update from this small place I refer to as the humble shoop, sometimes the Ashram. But then again, is not our body our ashram? All the best and thanks for your interest.