The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

I have a one piece cane landing net handle that has a few splits along it's length. The splits are on the whole quite short and are not gaping. I have only ever used tung oil on the handle in the four years I have had it, it has never been varnished and is I think many years old. I am in the process of whipping wide intermediates along the handle and treating them with clear shrinking dope as I go. What I want to know is once all the whipping is complete and doped can I continue to use tung oil on the handle or will I have to varnish it, which is what I don't really want to do. What are your thoughts?

Thanks
BB

Bamboo isn't absorbant like other timbers, I guess the oil just sits on the top, as varnish will.
I think we tend to apply finishes more for cosmetic reasons?
Varnishing protects whippings and prevents moisture penetrating voids and looks nice.
Over the years bamboo dries out and cane handles probably won't have had the same heat treatment that split cane sections have in rod building.
They will be more susceptible therefore to subsequent drying and splitting.
Best place to store it is a damp shed probably? It may start sprouting leaves though....

Thanks jeremy, my fishing shed is dry so i could leave the handle in the garage but then i would forget to take it with me. It looks like i will have to varnish it if i want to keep it in service.

Thanks
BB

I was just about to start varnishing my refurb landing net handle after i replied to JC when i noticed a linked article titled Sowerbutts. I had a quick look at the article and was inspired to to add a few little black intermediates. Looks ok to me....
Thanks
BB

I love that red and black whipping, very classy.
I’ve done mine with red and green alternate whips, so I will just have to start at over again!