Gentlemen:

I am very impressed by the colors and the looks of the Aqua Blue Maui abalone veneers.
That will be my next rod builds and I am wondering if there are any tutorials or instructions for the application.
These will be for salt water rods.
Thank you for any info. or input you may have.

Tom

Tom,
Check out my site. www.anglersenvy.com.

I have the veneer and also the DVD tutorial.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kevin Knox

Easy answer RodMaker Magazine Volume 11 Issue 5. If you don't have a subscription, run don't walk to [www.rodmakermagazine.com]. The best investment in rodbuilding you'll ever make. Kevin Knox, the inspiration for abalone on rods, also made a DVD. His web site is [www.anglersenvy.com].

Right, it's in the magazine and on Kevin's DVD. Kevin has outlined the process very thoroughly.

Or you can hunt and peck and try to do it with free internet information. But remember that information is usually worth just about what you pay for it.

..............

Tom,
I just finished and AB wrap. Your right on track going to Aqua Blue. They sell the veneers for about 1/2 the price of anyone else. You can gather all the info you need on line for application of the veneer. Email me direct if you want any other info regarding the process or information I used.

John

In regards to abalone installation of rods, we think people have to understand the saying "there is more than one way to skin a cat" OR in this case 'there is more than one way to install abalone on rods". People were using Abalone on rods for years before the recent article and DVD come out.

The article in rod Maker Magazine and the DVD produced by Kevin Knox use a vinegar soaking method of installing abalone on rods. For this method to work, you have to use abalone sold by Aqua Blue or Kevin (specifically the thickness of the abalone is important as you are partial dissolving the abalone (calcium) – to thin of an abalone may become too weak to apply after soaking).

Mud Hole has put together some great instructions on the “crack and roll method” of abalone installation and we also offer the raw abalone for this method. Follow the link below:
[www.mudhole.com]

The crack and roll method follows the KISS principle - Keep It Simple Stupid - the crack and roll method is a simple, straight forward process that produces acceptable results. From start to finish the crack and roll method can be done in 10 minutes. The vinegar method soaking method takes 2 to 3 hours. Now if you call Aqua Blue – they may tell us to use a third method – “the boiling method” – done by boiling the abalone in water to soften it. We are sure there are other methods as well – all these methods work, however the certain abalone materials work better on each method.

The abalone sold by Aqua Blue is not suitable for the crack and roll method because it has a finish applied to one side of the abalone – this same finish gives is a very clear & sharp looking appearance. However, this extra finish does not allow the abalone to be used with the “crack and roll” method (it causes the cracks to be to large). This beautiful “out of the box” appearance of the Aqua Blue abalone caused by a top coat of finish will not mater on a fishing rod, because you are going to coat the applied abalone with rod finish after the abalone is installed. Once coated with rod finish, all abalone will add greatly to your rod.

Like many facets of rod building, we would encourage people to try different methods and see which one suits your rod building style.

Regards.
Team Mud Hole Custom Tackle
Web: [www.mudhole.com]
Email: sales@mudhole.com
Toll Free Phone #: 1-866-790-RODS (7637)

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"The abalone sold by Aqua Blue is not suitable for the crack and roll method because it has a finish applied to one side of the abalone – this same finish gives is a very clear & sharp looking appearance. However, this extra finish does not allow the abalone to be used with the “crack and roll” method (it causes the cracks to be to large)."

Just to clarify, you are not talking apples and apples. The thin lam laminated veneer has lamination on the front and back. The raw veneer is unlaminated and will work just fine for shell fracturing.

It IS suitable for fracturing, which is the method that has been around for a long time and when you compare 5 1/4" x9" or 47.25 sq inches to 2 1/2" x 4 11/16" or 11.71 square inches, there is quite a difference.

And regarding the 10 minute application, when did this become a race? Last time I checked, the goal of rodbuilding was to make a better, more beautiful rod, not rushing just to get through it.

Regarding the soak, I talked to you all about this. The other brand of veneer has a concentration of about 50% shell and 50% filler. The filler falls apart when you soak it, leaving open areas that are the size of a quarter. Grade C veneer at best. Aqua Blue veneer is grade A with 95-98% coverage in shell. Thus the difference in soaking performance. They have grade B veneer but I don't think that is what builders are after. They do not cary the grade C veneer for the aforementioned reason.


Boiling has been incorporated into my method to make the lamination more pliable, it won't do much of anything when done alone. As for the keep it simple stupid idea, rod builders are not stupid or in a hurry, but if they are in a hurry, then fracturing will work just fine.
I don't think that builders are after acceptable results. They are after exceptional results.

Im not trying to start anything, but I just wanted to explain the difference in the veneer and address the comments on the performance of the shell.
Kevin



Edited 6 time(s). Last edit at 04/21/2009 03:17PM by kevin knox.

I have ordered Kevin's DVD and the instruction and quality are exactly what I was looking for. I've yet to install it, but I'm sure the first time I do the results will be more than acceptable ;)

Thank you whoever you are

WWW.WeSeekHerRods.com

Different methods, different materials! Both work in their own way and have their place!!!!!!!
Hopefully, this won't extend in to Round 2!!!!!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!