Norwich Custom Service Options.

 

For much of its existence since 1977, David Norwich Rods has been something of a ‘niche' rod making business and has occupied a specific market shared by very few other British makers. Certainly as far as I am aware, David Norwich is the only small independent Rod Maker as apposed to "rod assembler" who manufactures their own rod blanks. Therein lies our strength.

Unfortunately, the fly rod making industry has became just that - an industry.  Craftsmanship and unique design, the hallmark of small manufacturers has now been supplanted by a ‘corporate' mindset. Less and less manufacturers are actually designing and building their own blanks in house, preferring to have their rod blanks produced cheaply in the far east. (read more on that here) We are now in an age of the "clone." We often see "Designed in the United Kingdom" but that fools no one.

This is the problem which makers face today. Exclusivity is assured when placing a design in a far eastern blank manufacturers hands. In reality exclusivity is non existent and the discerning, experienced, observant fly caster and fly tackle buyer will regularly see the same blank being offered by different manufacturers under a different colour lacquer, different whippings or a unique handle shape that will "transform" performance.... On a recent visit to a large tackle wharehouse in Scotland I was amused to be able to spend an interesting hour sampling interchangeable rod sections with

different "brands" of fly rod's....

It is less common but not unusual that one of my stock taper blanks would not fill a customer's needs.

The selection offered online runs to over 160 plus models. On top of that there are dozens of custom one-off patterns that have never made it from the pattern design book to the web site listing. There are rods on offer for all types of salmon fly casting, spinning or bait rods available. Each blank whilst it may be a stock pre-designed taper will be built entirely from scratch to the customers order - the pre preg carbon fibre cloth will be cut to pattern with that customer in mind. Every single blank is custom built to order. Not unlike the way a bespoke tailor would go about his job. A stock blank is just not picked off the shelf and built into a rod.

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The blank once made can be finished with a variety of coating and colours from matt carbon to beautiful translucent greens, blues and browns in gloss or matt finishes. I can also offer custom colour mixes for the client who wants a truly unique colour for his or her rod. Or at the other end of the scale it can be had with no finish. This is the finish on the blank as it comes out of the oven as seen on my ev1 rods and blanks The tape that compresses the carbon to the mandrel is removed after the shaft is cured. This leaves a light spiral of very hard extruded epoxy resin on the surface of the blank. The less expensive Norwich ev1 rods are built in this fashion. Once the blank build and finish is established by the customer, custom wraps or ring whips can be specified if the traditional Norwich wrap is not required. Guides can also be offered to the customer's choice if the stock guides are not what is required.

 

Reel seats can be offered to suit every budget from low cost Fuji to high quality seats from Glenn Struble, REC Corporation, Bellinger. Rod shafts can be hand inscribed with any personalized writing you wish. Components can likewise be custom engraved with personal details such as initials or a dedication.

A lot of customers come to me because they have an injury or some physical disability that prevents them being comfortable with a standard rod length or line rating. Handle length and proportion can be finished exactly to the customer's specification. Some Salmon rod customers can benefit from a shorter customized handle length for instance. Short oversize heavy belly line rods, Salmon rods (there is nothing new about Skagit rods) can be made that reduce leverage and swing weight and allow them to get distance easily and limit strain on parts of the body that cause problems with standard rods. Similarly longer light line models can be built semi double handed. These are very popular as the can be used two handed if the customer has a hand or wrist problem. The list of custom options really is endless.....

If by chance there is not a stock taper or action on the website list to suit a customer, I can offer a true custom rod blank build. Any length, taper or action can be accommodated and made for the client in any modulus of elasticity of carbon fibre - from low modulus high strength carbons to the latest super high modulus ultra light low resin grades.

Composite combinations of all of these are also available to build a truly unique rod shaft for the customer.
A very common request is for a customer to say he or she has bought a brand X rod fter reading a magazine reviewon and can't get on with the rod, and sensibly does not want to make another expensive mistake. Could the action be changed to such and such? Or could this be made with a stiffer tip or a more full flexing butt? In these instances if the customer can't bring the rod to directly discuss the modification, I usually ask for the rod to be sent to me so I can assess their request. Advice via telephone or email follows and we discuss the options available.

 

If the customer just wants the brand X rod with a new modified tip or a section replaced that can be accommodated too via my rod renovation and repair service.

I offer a complete service.

Every customer has a standing invite by prior appointment to visit the workshop and get an insight into how my rods are made. The kettle is always on, time is always made to down tools and have a chat and cast a rod or two. There is plenty of room to cast rods on grass near the workshop or walk down the hill a couple of hundred yards and test any rod I have on hand in the Gala Water ( a Tweed tributary) or a test session can be arranged on the Tweed itself. Thornielee on the River Tweed is only a 20 minute drive from my workshop.

 

Regards,

David Norwich.

Top: An ev2 9ft 4pce # 5/6 rod fitted with the model U20 Nickel Silver Seat with cork insert Bottom: A 9ft #3/4 ev2 4pce rod outfitted with a custom twin nickel silver slide band seat and nickel silver end cap.

 

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Performance Factor Explained

   

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Pre 2010 Three Breaks Rod Warranty

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