Ice Sticks...

[Scupper]

For the past few years or so I have been giving ice fishing rods as gifts at Christmas to some family members and close friends. I personalize them with different types of wood for the handles. It has been fun and I have tried to teach some of the recipients how to do it as they have friends and family that also want this done. When they see how much time one can put into these handles they seem to just want me to do it for a price.

I'll get back to this.

I'm not very good with my dexterity on the thread wrapping and getting the guides to line up so I go to the local pro shop and buy the blanks with the guides installed minus the cork handle. I then search for exotic woods and come up with different patterns.

Some of the handles turn out pretty nice and some of them are laying in a box to be possibly used some day, maybe for heat...

Now, for the friends of friends and family members not in my circle who want one, I explain the cost of the premium blank and the exotic woods and don't even get to mention my time and I hear, (How Much Do You Need For That Rod!)

Like I said earlier, it was fun. I know it's only a fishing rod used for catching fish but everyone I have given one to now has a favorite rod not only for it's looks but also for the action from the premium blank.

I come thru this thread a lot and have picked up some good tips from reading here. Some of you fellah's have inspired me to try doing what you do and I have found that I have a long ways to go but I'll keep on trying. I'll share 3 of my recent rod handles so you can see how I have been influenced by you.

The woods are Purple Heart, Maple and Black Ivory.

One more sanding and another coat of Spar Urethane and they will be ready for the reel to be attached with 2 face tape.

Thanks...

[croixflats]

I store my soft water rods displayed on a wall with wood dowels protruding from the wall so they rest horizontal.

I sure would be proud to have those on the wall during soft water season and in my hand during hard water.

Awesome work Scupper!!

[upnorth]

That is some fine craftsmanship!! I have been thinking about attempting something like those, but I have a pretty good idea of how much time and effort goes into something like that. Just getting the hole to line up straight for the whole handle seems like a daunting task.

[MarkAlm]

THOSE ARE ART WORK - NOT FISHING RODS !!! NICE JOB !! Aprox. how much time per handle? I still just use cork but they are for my family and I.

[Northlander]

Man I love that center one! Too bad a guy has to tape over something so nice. Great work man!

[slurpie]

Those look really nice. Would almost feel bad using it they look so good. Great job.

[Kris Kristufek]

Nice segmentation work. How long did it take you to do the one on the right?

[Dark Cloud]

I use and abuse everything but doubt I could tape a reel to those. Awesome work!!!

[gardn184]

absolutely amazing, wish I had the time/skills necessary to build something like that, although after seeing the bird house I made in high school shop class I think that kind of stuff is left to those with talent, which you definetly have

[NeverEnough]

Sure puts my handcrafted ice rods to shame, but on the other hand I'd be afraid to even use one of those because I would break it for sure. Keep up the good work.

[Scupper]

Thank you all for the very kind words.

I'll try to answer some of the questions...

Upnorth, your dead on about getting the hole to line up.

I have learned over the past few years that I have to drill the hole in each separate piece or section as I go along getting it as close to center as I can. I also have a 12" piece of a rod that I now use as a guide to line up the pieces when gluing all together. This really helps to keep things lined up.

Once all pieces are glued and in place, I gently apply clamps until I'm satisfied with the fit and then I remove (slide) the piece of rod which has left a somewhat straight hole. After sitting over night I carefully drill out the entire length of the handle and if all goes well I head over to the easy kinda fun part,the lathe.

Yes, it is time consuming and not being familiar with different blade angles and or operating some of the power tools required it is challenging. I've learned that some of the woods I use are not fond of some saw blades. I have literally had pieces of wood explode while cutting. I only mention this as a warning to those of you who might make an attempt at cutting fine angles on some very small pieces of hard woods. Don't be discouraged, just very cautious.

The handle on the right which has the difficult angles took the longest but seems to be a favorite. I will be crafting some more of these but now I have a pretty good idea on what it will take to cut up the wood and glue them and cut the angles and then drill them and glue them again. Sometimes there is sanding involved to get them to fit just right. So if a guy stays at it minus the waiting for the glue to dry, you can make one of these in 3 or 4 days. Of course if you made up several of them at one time you would have that many more as spinning them on the lathe doesn't take long. I use spar urethane as a sealer, 3 coats with minimum of 6 hours between coats. I'm sure there are faster easier better ways to do the finish but that is the way I do it.

Again, thanks for the kind expressions of my work...

[TonkaBass]

Those rods are just plain perfect! Very nice work! Be sure to post future pictures of more that you complete because they are fun to look at!

[Scupper]

Here's the sticks with the reels attached. They will be in use this weekend according to my buddy who picked them up tonight.

I started using 3M two face tape a couple years back so as to preserve the look without taping around the whole handle. This stuff is super sticky and we have never had a reel come loose. There might be a problem removing the reel when and if needed but I/we will deal with it at that time.

[Dark Cloud]

Great idea with the clear tape. They look even cooler with the reels attached.

[Shack]

Skupper's ice sticks are pure art. I will say they are some of the best ice sticks I have ever seen.

I was lucky enough to see them up close last weekend. Scupper was kind enough to donate 2 of these works of art to the Shack Is Back benefit. I was just shocked at the beauty of these sticks. They went for top dollar at our live action and I am very glad they did go to someone who appreciates what they are. They will be displayed along with other fishing art.

Scupper is much more than just a rod maker. He is an artisan and a great person.

Thanks Scupper!

[Scupper]

Josh,

thank you for the kind words and generous thoughts.

I hope your recovery is going well. Slow and steady wins the race. I would have liked to attend your benefit and meet you but I don't do well in crowds...

I'm confident we will cross path's someday but in the mean time, best wishes to you and yours. I found the conversation I had with your Mother to be filled with love for life. What a wonderful person she is...

P.S, those rods are for fishing. The users won't be disappointed in the action and I'm quite certain they will have a new favorite ice stick.

Warmest regards,

Scott

[fisherdog19]

Those handles are absolutely awesome. Being I have no artistic ability whatsoever I am always in awe at how someone can do something like that. I love the one with the black wood area towards the bottom, it looks like a fine custom pool cue. I would kill to have one of those puppies. Great work there Scupper, very impressive.

[Fullmoon]

Very impressive!! Send a photo to Rodmaker Magazine. I'll bet Tom will put it in the mag!