
BUY IT OR NOT: I saw an old Grampus Kiraku rod in a local antique stor
#1
Posted 13 February 2011 - 12:07 AM
While shopping in a local antique store here just west of Chicagoland, I came across an long wooden box with an odd bamboo rod in it...
It LOOKED at first like an ordinary 9 ft 3pc bamboo with a 4th spare tip section, BUT...
It also had a 5th section which would make it into a 6 ft spinning rod!
The label was scratched; one end of the grip had a large hold in it with a blue plug (just couldn't figure that out).
I finally deciphered the label: Grampus Kiraku & Co
Research online for an hour or so turned up a mostly "pooh pooh; not worth even $50".
The rod looks to be in fine condition; I PLAN on actually FISHING it, thought it seemed QUITE soft; like I'd call it a "SLOW action 3 wt".
What say YOU all? What SHOULD I consider a FAIR price if the ROD is in very good shape, but the box is beat up (one end MISSING)?
Thanks,
-MV
#2
Posted 13 February 2011 - 12:16 AM
Mike
#4
Posted 13 February 2011 - 01:43 AM
I noticed you've built a few banty rods. Use those for a while and get a feel of bamboo, then start thinking about where you should focus time/money. I've noticed a few people liking Southbend 290 for banty builds. Or, you may want to buy a quality blank and build a great rod. Or, you might want to dive in and start building your own blanks.
I happened to list those upgrade options in order from least time/money to most. The last is by far the most time/money spent!
#5
Posted 13 February 2011 - 08:06 AM
Decent project rods, Montys, H-I, South Bends can be found for less than $100 and I have found a few for less than $30. Real diamonds in the rough but with a rebuild they can turn out to be decent fishin sticks.
If you are really interested in an occupied Japan rod, there are a lot of them out there and you should be able to find one dirt cheap.
AgMD
But it sure beats fishin with a ten dollar lure
#6
Posted 13 February 2011 - 10:50 AM

#7
Posted 13 February 2011 - 11:57 AM
Unless your looking for a conversion piece, the rod isn't worth much
These box rods sold for 4 dollars just after WWII and many wood-be fly fisherman who couldn't afford the pricey American made cane fly rod @ 10-12 dollars.
people jumped on them, only to find out they weren't worth the box that they came in.
Your best bet is to get an American or English made split cane production rod like a Heddon, Granger, Phillipson, Sharpe's or Hardy.
for your restoration project .
Bob
#8
Posted 13 February 2011 - 12:39 PM
I DID buy my 3rd vintage bamboo rod on eBay just last week - an H-I just like you & many others recommended. It has VERY nice balance once a 7/8 reel is strapped on, and the action is soft quite alright... bu t NOT "noodley". I can tell already it's going to be a fsvorite...
I'll keep an eye on this Kiraku just the same, but now I know it should be $25 at most; I plan only to give it to my twin, who just restored a 1945 military jeep, and is in the Minneapolis-based WWII reenactor's regiment. It'll make his jeep all the more authentic ;-)
-mv
Mike
#11
Posted 21 February 2011 - 05:07 PM

Ken

Credit River Cane Rods
Credit River Anglers Association
Ken Paterson, Streetsville, Ontario
#12
Posted 19 October 2011 - 11:07 PM
-Kev
#13
Posted 20 October 2011 - 07:21 AM
John T.
Marriage is like a deck of cards- in the beginning, all you need is two hearts and a diamond. In the end, you wish you had a club and a spade.
#14
Posted 29 February 2012 - 09:59 AM
While shopping in a local antique store here just west of Chicagoland, I came across an long wooden box with an odd bamboo rod in it...
It LOOKED at first like an ordinary 9 ft 3pc bamboo with a 4th spare tip section, BUT...
It also had a 5th section which would make it into a 6 ft spinning rod!
The label was scratched; one end of the grip had a large hold in it with a blue plug (just couldn't figure that out).
I finally deciphered the label: Grampus Kiraku & Co
Research online for an hour or so turned up a mostly "pooh pooh; not worth even $50".
The rod looks to be in fine condition; I PLAN on actually FISHING it, thought it seemed QUITE soft; like I'd call it a "SLOW action 3 wt".
What say YOU all? What SHOULD I consider a FAIR price if the ROD is in very good shape, but the box is beat up (one end MISSING)?
Thanks,
-MV
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