The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

RBTraditional wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 7:20 am

BoltonBullfinch wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 5:31 am I have a J B Walker mklV s/u that has few intermediates compared to most mklVs. I dont know if it came out of the factory complete or as a kit.
But i would like to find another similar to buy.

Thanks
BB

It was J B Walker (Hythe, Kent) who Dick Walker used to supply him the blanks he used for making MK1V carp and Avon rods for himself and those he gifted to friends. The B James connection came well after this and I don’t really understand why their rods are coveted over the much superior blank of JBW……

me too!

No close whipping here. As original as the day it left the factory.

RBTraditional wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 7:20 am

BoltonBullfinch wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 5:31 am I have a J B Walker mklV s/u that has few intermediates compared to most mklVs. I dont know if it came out of the factory complete or as a kit.
But i would like to find another similar to buy.

Thanks
BB

It was J B Walker (Hythe, Kent) who Dick Walker used to supply him the blanks he used for making MK1V carp and Avon rods for himself and those he gifted to friends. The B James connection came well after this and I don’t really understand why their rods are coveted over the much superior blank of JBW……

I think the answer is a simple one - folk liked the intermediates and as such the aesthetic sold the canes and a lot of them. Agreed the JB’s are a superior wand - but in my opinion bland by comparison. If I was offered a choice now I’d plumb for a JB any day of the week.

The 3 J B Walker rods 2 SU MK1V carp and 1 normal MK1V carp. All kit rods and were marked B Southwell blank. They were sold from the shop and built by the then buyer. I was told when the buyer died a guy from the same shop, had purchased them back from his widow. When I checked on the providence of B Southwell on the canes he had confirmed that they were B Southwell made blanks. I have since acquiring them, totally rebuilt them from the bare can to finished rods. I believe in the days when JBW kits were available, not many people had items like lathes etc. to produce really good cork handles. Just to add, I think the J B Walker rods made in their factory all had a J B Walker Decal on the butt section but as far as the kit built ones I have rebuilt, none had a decal.

I have 6 B James MK1Vs 1=S/U 2= Avons and 3= Carp and I have to also say I like the feel of the JBW rods compared to the BJ rods.

Many more years ago than I care to remember, I bought a brand-new Vortex Avon hollow glass rod with intermediate whips...totally unnecessary but the look made me buy the rod, which I would probably not have done otherwise. I am glad that I did though. I have always enjoyed using it.

Troutbeck