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.
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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. |
How To Order Optional Rod Warranty
ev2 -2 and 3 section Fly rods ev2 4 and 5 Section Fly Rods ev1 Fly Rods ev4 Salmon double hand and Spey Rods ev1 Salmon Fly Rods
ev3 Saltwater Fly Rods Rod Building Components Fly Rod Blanks Custom Built Spinning, Lure & Bait rods
Some notes on fly line ratings and how to get the best performance out of your Norwich Fly Rod
Comments Comments Rod Care Advice Carbon Fly Rods. The Facts and the Fallacies
The "Blog"- My occasional comments on Fly Fishing and rod making past and present
David Norwich Rod Making History There Be Giants!.......A Parable for Our Time..
Pre 2010 Three Breaks Rod Warranty
links of interest to fly anglers
CUSTOM BUILT REPLACEMENT SECTIONS FOR MOST CARBON FIBRE FLY AND SPIN RODS. |
David Norwich.
Hillside Works, Fountainhall, Nr. Galashiels, Scottish Borders. TD1 2SU, SCOTLAND
TEL: 01578 760 310
e-mail: davidnorwich@tiscali.co.uk