I have never used this but I would think it would look real nice on a custom build. I am building an acid wrapped United Composites Wahoo 8' jigging rod and was thinking about using an abalone veneer to dress up the rod above the upper grip. Its a 50-80 pound Moderate to slow action rod blank and yes, it can definitely be bottomed out for what it will be used for. Looks easy enough to use but wonder how heavy and stiff the material is or if it really matters this low on the blank. Do people like it? Is it recommended for 20-40 pound build which I may do next.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/09/2017 01:47AM by Scott Lamb.

It's not heavy, it's very thin, and if you think about it your installing it in a tight tube shape around the blank, a much tighter bend than the rod will ever experience while fishing. Mudhole used to have a video on installing the product, it may be available still.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/09/2017 07:58PM by Spencer Phipps.

I have still not mastered abalone. It may be me, and it may be variations in its quality/characteristics. I did two rods with it, very beautiful, very nice, then tried a third and didn't salvage a square inch of the abalone. It was so brittle, even using what I thought were the proper techniques, that it was a total waste. The successful rods were natural pau (or whatever it's called), and angel wing blue, the failure white angel wing. Not sure if angel wing and the other style are different or not.

Bottom line? It is beautiful and worth a try, but don't be surprised if you waste a few bucks.

Depends on your abalone. Some are thick and require treating before a wrap, some are as thin as tissue paper and need a thread underwrap to pop the colors. The thin type is easier to work with and the color selection of the thicker stuff is beautiful. On both of your build plans I wouldn't even begin to worry about weight of the veneer. Buy extra sheets, there is a learning curve to both types.

I use it quite often weight and stiffness Is not an issue. I make a template out is a plain index card. I wrap the card around the blank just overlapping a bit. I cut the abalone with an razor to size. I then boil it in water until the adhesive side darkens, then peal and wrap on the blank. Then overwrap the abalone with size d thread and let it dry for a few hours. The hardest part is making sure it goes on straight. Looks awesome when done.

Great. Thanks everyone.