My Berkley rod has a Minima-style reel seat front and a threaded cork rear seat. I know I am probably not saying that correctly, but the idea is that to lock the reel into the seat, you turn the cork handle that is at the rear of the seat. Does anyone know which company(ies) have those for sale to the public? [www.rodbuilding.org]

You could use the Fuji HPS hidden thread hood, it can be used in the up locking or down locking position. You can buy preformed cork grip to fit the hood or build your own. If you get the minima spin seat just replace it's hood with the HPS hood, it fits fine.
Norm

David,

I believe some of the Fuji reel seat can be switched around and modified to be an up-locking rear with seat enclosed rear grip, (if that makes sense). Take a look at the Fuji KDPS 16 or KPDS 17 hidden thread locking nuts for an idea. Perhaps they might work. The rear grip would have to be reamed out to accept the KDPS tube

I've not seen any reel seat available to us custom builders; but I really like the idea.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

David,

Also one word of caution, With the up locking reel seat and exposed blank reel seat, it is advisable to tell the user not to over tighten the reel seat as it puts a tremendous load on the front portion of the reel seat which has a smaller contact area with the blank. Over tightening the reel seat can cause the epoxy to be sheared from the blank.

I have one customer who has the nervous habit of constantly tightening the locking nut on his drop shop rod while fishing. This has resulted in the front portion of the split reel seat to break loose two times. I've repair it for him twice and asked that he not over tighten the reel seat. He admitted that he is not aware that he does it while fishing!

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

I should have mentioned that the fixed hood part of the minima spin reel seat or the Alps split spin reel seat will require a short fore grip because of the way they're designed. Could use the spinning SK2 fixed reel seat hood as an option. The SK2 fixed hood will need a bushing, the same as the threaded barrel. You will also need winding checks to fit both the blank diameter and the size 16 or 17 SK2 hood and one side of the threaded barrel to give a finished look. I do not know of any manufacturer that sells a reel seat with a fixed hood like that on the Berkley rod you show.
Norm

From Mudhole, I have ordered a Fuji SK2 front casting seat that I will cut "in half" and flip around 180 degrees to use as a front spinning seat. Then, HPS and thread barrel for SK2 grip with cork FGH "foregrip" turned to tighten from back-to-front. I do not need to worry about a front stop as the reel foot will act as the stop. Add a fighting butt and I am all set. I will post photos when it is completed.