Eastern Diamondback

[Mark Fisher]

Diamondback 014.jpgDiamondback 020.jpgDiamondback 016.jpgDiamondback 010.jpgDiamondback 006.jpgHello everyone,

Finished this one yesterday and took some photos this morning. Cape Cod black hole special heavy saltwater popper rod (mate to the Bull snake rod I did a dew weeks back). Wrapped as a revolver style spiral with MNSG's, ALPS seat and gimbal. Touch of marbling under the guides. Came together really nice. This skin was the absoute hardest I've done. It caused me heaps of headaches, possible the tanning solution used and also the size of the scales. I didn't de-scale it but probably should have.

Regards
Mark
Outback Rods

[Willo]

First Class stuff....Great colour tonings with the snake skin

[Owen]

Stunning work Mark.
That's up there with the best in the world bloke.
Whatever grief the skin gave you was worth it.
How'd you go blending the seam with the scales on?
I have to do a diamond back themed rod for a snake breeder soon, so I might need to pick your brain.

[Mark Fisher]

Thanks for the positive comments guys. I really do appreciate them.

Owen I've done quite a few snake skin rods and this was the hardest yet by a long shot. On most of my snake skin rods I descale them first. Then I saw some photos with the scales left on so I gave that a go. The Bull snake skin was scales on and turned out great so I left the scales on this one. Mistake 1. The scales are huge and really rough. The first try I got the skin stuck down with CP but for some reason the Chromaseal dried white. I've never had this happen with Chromaseal before? Anyway pulled the first effort off and tried again. Still a little bit of snowflake in the skin but nowhere near as noticeable as the first. Then there was some trouble with the tie down trims. Due to the skin being thicker than usual I had to bring the tie down level up to the skin level to get the smooth transition - hard because of the big scales. Mate, don't let me scare you off. I also think because this was a big diameter blank the skin had to be large enough to go around - obviously - bigger snake, bigger scales, thicker skin etc. The blending of the seam isn't really the hard part. Just has to be cut right the first time. This one is a little more noticeable than the bull snake which is almost invisible.

Give me yell when you decide to give one a go. I may be able to help you avoid the pitfalls.

Regards
Mark

[BARICK]

Mate, Mate!
You have to be happy with that. Very very nice.

[trout head]

very nice Mark , I like the marble inbetween the eyes , keep them coming mate . a please to look at .

[grave41]

Top job Mark i admire your work
Graham

[Daintreeboy]

Stunning work Mark as usual.

[2DKnBJ]

Fantastic work Mark
The colours all blend in great.
It's the guys like yourself that make us ametures keep getting better at our own rod building.

Cheers Dazza

[bigjudge]

Mark i have to agree with all the coments, definately world class job,also agree with you Dazza it definately does make you want to get better at your own work.
CHEERS AND BEERS

[Mark Fisher]

Thanks for all your comments guys.
I'm not a Pro (Stuart is the real Pro). Like most of you I get a real kick out of rod building and comments like you have just given make me look forward to the next build.
Thanks again.

Mark