Harrison Rods - Re-Badged

[barbelbarmy]

Does anyone have any details regarding rod manufacturers that have used Harrison blanks. I was thinking of buying an old rod to refurbish as a cheap way of practicing my skills of doing this before buying new.

[Rusty]

Not as far as I'm aware, at least in terms of mass production. New you either buy ready made from Harrison's dealer network or commission a custom build from one of their recommended rod builders. Used would be your best bet but it'll still be badged & sold as Harrison so won't be silly cheap.

[Tigger]

You can buy the blanks, guides, handles etc from them and get the rod builder of your choice to put the rods/rod together or if you know what you doing you can put the rods/rod together yourself. If your close enough it's well worth a trip over to see them, they're only up the road from me so i've paid them a few visits and it's interesting watching the rod making procedure.

[philocalist]

Nudging around the back of my mind is the info that on Ebay, someone quite recently (an ex trader I think) was selling off older Harrison GLASS blanks quite cheaply ... I think they were £40 - £50 for a 12 / 13' rod, depending upon the spec and blank.

Personally, although I use carbon, I quite like the action and feel of the older, better quality fibreglass rods, and quite happily still use them as a first option ... never really felt the need to wuss on about a bit of additional weight :-)

[Steve Burke]

A great many rods are, or at least were, built on Harrison blanks and rebadged. Indeed I did this myself in my early days supplying custom-built rods. Having said that, some of mine were on non-standard blanks, including a few I had a hand in designing after cutting up bits of glass and carbon and playing around with them. The later blanks I had made were all exclusives made to my specs but, contrary to popular belief, weren't made by Harrisons. However Harrisons make an excellent product and I can unreservedly recommend them.

 

I don't recall Harrisons ever producing fibreglass blanks. Conoflex, North Western and, although I never used them myself Fibatube (made by Hardys), were the main makers of glass blanks I remember from my time. Neither Conoflex nor North Western now make blanks.

 

Doing up an old rod first is a great idea. These days you probably won't save money building your own rod as opposed to having it custom-built for you. However it is a lot of fun and very satisfying.

 

I built my first rod from a kit that I bought in the late 60s from Walker's of Hythe. Anyone remember them?

[Rusty]

...... I was thinking of buying an old rod to refurbish as a cheap way of practicing my skills of doing this before buying new.

Exactly what I did, great fun if a little testing at times;

 

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/2298916-my-rod-restoration-project/?hl=refurb

[barbelbarmy]

I have obtained an old Daiwa whisker harrier for £10 and stripped to replace all the guides. I also cut the top section and inserted a spliced tip. I want to get another and change the reel seat and cork to my own liking as well. I have done up a few cane rods and a fibreglass Henry W Aiken quiver tip ledger rod.

 

I will be selling the cane rods soon and the Aiken rod to fund this project. I only really want what they cost me. For the Aiken about £15 plus postage. It is actually a nice rod, very light and sensitive. I have tried it and caught a 1.5lb chub with a 7.5lb pike attached.

 

I have seen a few Dave Harrell Map rods which I am led to believe are Harrison rods, does anyone know if this is true?

[barbelbarmy]

Sorry I actually got two Diawa rods for £20, the one I did up I used extensively last year and other anglers tried it and thought it was god. It has stand off Fuji guides and single leg guides on two sections with also a hook keep added. When I do the second one or get the Harrison I will sell this one too.

[RUDD]

I have obtained an old Daiwa whisker harrier for £10 and stripped to replace all the guides. I also cut the top section and inserted a spliced tip. I want to get another and change the reel seat and cork to my own liking as well. I have done up a few cane rods and a fibreglass Henry W Aiken quiver tip ledger rod.

 

I will be selling the cane rods soon and the Aiken rod to fund this project. I only really want what they cost me. For the Aiken about £15 plus postage. It is actually a nice rod, very light and sensitive. I have tried it and caught a 1.5lb chub with a 7.5lb pike attached.

 

I have seen a few Dave Harrell Map rods which I am led to believe are Harrison rods, does anyone know if this is true?

I own a good few Dave Harrell MAP rods and highly rate them, all are a joy to use.

 

http://talkangling.co.uk/fishing/showthread.php?t=26389

[barbelbarmy]

Just read your link, god that bloke got some stick.