Both of these classic cane rods had issues but one had more than the other. The first had 2 corks broken from the ferrule end of the butt section and all of the guides could have been better, but overall a quite simple sympathetic restoration with all agate lined rings added and the original colour red for the wraps, or as near as I could get, along with 2 new corks that I shaped and stained to match the rest of the handle.I finished the rod with a silk Danish Oil.
The other was in pretty poor condition but straight. The ferrules were quite pitted and there was a lot of rust on all of the rings that had badly stained both cane sections. The top 10 inches of the tip section was almost black. What to do? I could not remove the discolouration as it was too deep so I stained the rest of the rod with a Jacobean Oak stain to match the imperfections. I whipped the rings with a complementary green wrap and finished with a Superior Danish Oil that is a little brighter than the previous silk finish so the coin is in the air as to whether I will add the silk Danish Oil used on the other 500. I asked my "colourist" (Jan) "should I blacken the ferrules or leave them natural?" and it was an emphatic "leave them alone". I do as I am told. 2 new rod sleeves have been ordered from the Bag Lady (Ellen L), every ones a winner. I am looking forward to christening both on the glorious 16th, or later.
A Tale of 2 Chapmans 500
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A Tale of 2 Chapmans 500
If you have no grease with you, and your rings are full of ice, do not cut out the ice with a pen-knife but get your man to put the rings one by one in his mouth, and so to thaw the ice.
John Bickerdyke.
John Bickerdyke.
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Re: A Tale of 2 Chapmans 500
Nice job there John. Two more rescued from the scrap heap!
I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete.
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete.
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Re: A Tale of 2 Chapmans 500
Very nice rods the dark 500 looks very good what a turn around well done mike
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Re: A Tale of 2 Chapmans 500
What a great job, well done John!
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall!
Confucius
Confucius
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Re: A Tale of 2 Chapmans 500
Fantastic result, good idea to stain dark too! I am so pleased you've saved another two 500's They are truly excellent rods and deserve their place on the bank side doing what they do best. Makes you wonder how many Chapman 500's are still in existence and more importantly, still used?
"Oh for want of rod and line I'd fish this stream serene, sublime".
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Re: A Tale of 2 Chapmans 500
Great job with the Danish Oil.
"....he felt the gentle touch on the line and he was happy"
Hemingway
Hemingway
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Re: A Tale of 2 Chapmans 500
A wonderful transformation, well done John they both look lovely.
Wal.
Wal.