Mark Fisher
28-08-2013, 10:03 AM
I arrived home yesterday after a week away from home during which I attended a meeting of the SEARBS (South Eastern Australian Rod Builders). This meeting had double the numbers from the previous meeting I attended last November and it was a real pleasure to catch up with some old friends and to meet many new friends. The biggest kick for me was seeing the number of young blokes attending and to see some of their works as they will be the future of custom rodbuilding in Australia. There were builders travelling from Queensland, Victoria, ACT and distant parts of NSW just for the one day. It was greatly appreciated by me and I'm sure by Col Chaseling and Ray Balmforth (host).
We only had the one day for this meeting and it really needed to be held over two days. The problem was that after catching up with everyone and chatting about different rods and new techniques, there was no time left to actually demonstrate anything. I know Col Chaseling will be looking at that for future meetings - especially if they are as well attended as this meeting was.
Topics discussed were, fingernail burnishing with Tiger wraps, G-Urushi and olive branching. I would really have liked to hear Ray Balmforth discuss his birchbark grips - these are just simply outstanding. Another builder whose work I was really impressed with was John Barrick. His work is just so clean and neat it is a real credit to him and well worth any potential customer having a look at - top notch work.
It was mentioned at the meeting that we need to organize an Aussie rod similar to a World Rod. I think this would be a great idea and something which would be a great fund raiser for a suitable charity. I don't know how we could organize it but I'm sure someone out there has those skills and may be able to get the ball rolling. There are plenty of suppliers who would also help out.
Anyway, a great day was had by all. Looking forward to the next.
Best Regards
Mark
Outback Rods
We only had the one day for this meeting and it really needed to be held over two days. The problem was that after catching up with everyone and chatting about different rods and new techniques, there was no time left to actually demonstrate anything. I know Col Chaseling will be looking at that for future meetings - especially if they are as well attended as this meeting was.
Topics discussed were, fingernail burnishing with Tiger wraps, G-Urushi and olive branching. I would really have liked to hear Ray Balmforth discuss his birchbark grips - these are just simply outstanding. Another builder whose work I was really impressed with was John Barrick. His work is just so clean and neat it is a real credit to him and well worth any potential customer having a look at - top notch work.
It was mentioned at the meeting that we need to organize an Aussie rod similar to a World Rod. I think this would be a great idea and something which would be a great fund raiser for a suitable charity. I don't know how we could organize it but I'm sure someone out there has those skills and may be able to get the ball rolling. There are plenty of suppliers who would also help out.
Anyway, a great day was had by all. Looking forward to the next.
Best Regards
Mark
Outback Rods