| p>After I spoke with Rolf Baginksi, the great | | | | 7. Are the rod maker's name and line size still |
| bamboo rod maker form Germany, he gave me | | | | readable? It can be that the rod was repaired |
| the following advises before buying a vintage cane | | | | (lowering the value of the rod as a result), but it |
| rod: | | | | can also be that the signature has simply worn |
| 1. Check if all parts are present. If the original rod | | | | out (without the rod loosing of value for that). |
| had THREE pieces then you should not get TWO | | | | Check carefully. |
| pieces! | | | | 8. Are all the threads wrappings ok? When you |
| 2. Are the two (or three) pieces of the old | | | | lightly touch them you can feel and notice if the |
| bamboo rod equally long? If not, the tippet was | | | | guide is still well attached to the rod. If not, |
| probably broken and was replaced. | | | | wrapping can be easily repaired |
| 3. Do the pieces insert well together? The | | | | 9. How is the condition of the handle? Was the |
| inserted pieces should not move. The ferrules | | | | handle retouched, sanded down or has the original |
| should be in brass or nickel silver (an alloy made | | | | condition being maintained? A good quality fine |
| of copper, zinc and nickel). Don't ever trust any | | | | cork handle can be renewed with a 220 grit |
| tin-zinc ferrule. | | | | sanding paper. |
| 4. Is the rod more or less straight? It's normal for | | | | 10. Does the reel-holder still make it up? Try and |
| antique rods to have a little bending in the upper | | | | put a fishing reel in the reel-holder and see if it still |
| part. This can be adjusted by a bamboo rod | | | | holds it! Moreover, do rod and reel match |
| maker. But don't ever buy very flexed and/or | | | | together? |
| twisted rods. | | | | 11. Try it! Fly-cast with the rod with the proper |
| 5. Are all bamboo strips still glued together? If not, | | | | line inserted! Not only. Try also with a line one size |
| the purchase is not worth it | | | | higher and one size lower. Sometimes the |
| 6. Is the finish still ok? If not,i.e. if the varnish is | | | | indication written on the rod is wrong and you |
| much deteriorated, it must be removed, snakes | | | | should fish with a higher size line. On the other |
| and guides removed,too and then the varnish | | | | hand, some very old rods can have signs of |
| re-applied. A lot of work which can be expensive | | | | "fatigue" but you can still fish with them very well |
| eventually. | | | | if you use a lower size line! |