Ledgerstrike butt/cork handle

[Damflask]

Why is it so long?
It's a really nice rod, but what's the reasoning behind having a cork handle that long?

[Dave Burr]

It was the fashion of the day. Cane is effective up to a certain length but can become a floppy mess if made too long so, to increase the overall length of a rod, bung a few more inches on the butt. That's my (ahem), technical opinion.

Many glass and carbon carp and Avon style rods were made in a similar fashion. I used to chop a few inched off the handle so it protruded 2 or 3" behind my elbow, it was more comfortable and you could move without knocking your brolly over.

[Lea Dweller]

It was the fashion of the day. Cane is effective up to a certain length but can become a floppy mess if made too long so, to increase the overall length of a rod, bung a few more inches on the butt. That's my (ahem), technical opinion.

Many glass and carbon carp and Avon style rods were made in a similar fashion. I used to chop a few inched off the handle so it protruded 2 or 3" behind my elbow, it was more comfortable and you could move without knocking your brolly over.

Interesting Dave, I wondered if the long handles on cane rods (not sure about fibreglass) were a hangover from when the reel used to be positioned towards the butt cap end for balance and the hand positioned above the reel? A longer handle would have presumably given more scope for positioning the reel and hand at a suitable point on the butt?

[Dave Burr]

It was the fashion of the day. Cane is effective up to a certain length but can become a floppy mess if made too long so, to increase the overall length of a rod, bung a few more inches on the butt. That's my (ahem), technical opinion.

Many glass and carbon carp and Avon style rods were made in a similar fashion. I used to chop a few inched off the handle so it protruded 2 or 3" behind my elbow, it was more comfortable and you could move without knocking your brolly over.

Interesting Dave, I wondered if the long handles on cane rods (not sure about fibreglass) were a hangover from when the reel used to be positioned towards the butt cap end for balance and the hand positioned above the reel? A longer handle would have presumably given more scope for positioning the reel and hand at a suitable point on the butt?

Balance would have come into it Ted for sure but the Ledgerstrike, Mkiv and many more, were all designed for the reel to sit well up the handle by specialist anglers such as Messrs Walker, Stone etc. Handles on carp rods have grown back over the years to enable those casts into the lake next door/county/country.

[Olly]

It was the vogue at the time especially glass carp rods following the long handles on beachcasters - which were used for long casting! 28 - 30inch handles and even longer.

There were videos/diagrams showing how a longer handle enabled casters to pull down with left hand an push with the right.

The handles for example on the Chapman 500 - 550 & 600 - 700 differ. 24" - 28" & 26" respectively.

A view of long distance styles of casting are all on YouTube.

[Barbelbonce]

I seem to remember it being said that Peter Stone liked having the butt end of the handle tucked right up into his armpit when touch-legering, which is what he designed the rod for.
My memory may be at fault, but it makes sense.
Mike

[Barbelbonce]

I seem to remember it being said that Peter Stone liked having the butt end of the handle tucked right up into his armpit when touch-legering, which is what he designed the rod for. I vaguely remember a photo of PS fishing in that style.
My memory may be at fault, but it makes sense.
Mike

[Tengisgol]

The Abu Mk6 Ferralite Match rod has a ridiculously long cork handle - how I coped with it as a 14 year old I’ll never know.

[Liphook]

I've often wondered myself why such long handles exist? I guess with reel bands or sliding winch fitting like the Autolock the user can use what suits. In the case of some rods like the two Vortex glass rods I 'deconstructed' I'm sure it served to mask ugly joints in materials allowing cheap dowel and solid glass rod to be hidden under cork!

[Dave Burr]

I've often wondered myself why such long handles exist? I guess with reel bands or sliding winch fitting like the Autolock the user can use what suits. In the case of some rods like the two Vortex glass rods I 'deconstructed' I'm sure it served to mask ugly joints in materials allowing cheap dowel and solid glass rod to be hidden under cork!

Dowel is used beneath the cork on many, maybe even most rods, The handle needs to be rigid but light and, as it's not going to be seen, dowel fits the bill.