Opinions again "please"

[STRIPER LOU]

Hi All,

Here's some new and harder to get colors and thought I'd get some opinions before I start to order the next batch of material. Trying to stock up for the upcoming winter season. Although the summer has been very busy for custom parts, come December it will get insane as everyone is starting to get cabin fever!

The red is very nice with tones of gray/silver and black pearl. Looks very nice on Tom's red plates, goes great with Ted's kit and  really dresses up a stock red/maroon Penn too!

The green and the orange, I was undecided but have definitely changed my mind! Emerald green with gold/black pearl overtones, Very, very, rich color.

The orange I thought was going to be way too wild but I was pleasantly surprised when I turned and polished it. Orange with a subtle shading of bronze and gold/black pearl, its stunning! I've tried to rotate them so you can get and idea of the variation.

I was only able to get one pc of each so I'm sure there will be variations but I'm' liking them so far.

A few people have asked about the starburst acrylic. I worked on it with the supplier but I think I was more interested in it than he was. It has since been taken here in house and I've gotten more done on it in the last 3 weeks than he has in the past 6 months.
I'm waiting to borrow a vacuum pot and think this will put me on the home stretch. I wanted to see if the vacuum made the difference before I make the investment. I'm almost positive I'll be able to cast it here in shop.

Thought I'd throw these colors out and see if there's any you like.
OK, its back to work, all have a great day,  ..  Lou

[mizmo67]

These are some really nice colors. The Orange/Bronze is rocking.

[Maxed Out]

Phenominal work Lou !!

Looks like mother of pearl......very cool !!!

[swill88]

I think beautiful and lavalamp... wonder where mine went?

steve

[Dominick]

I like the green and gold.  Dominick

[Tiddlerbasher]

Luv the orange - and the blue - hell I luv 'em all

[theswimmer]

Emerald Green is mine!

[Steve-O]

I'm with Ms. Mo....the orange ,black, pearl is off the chart...and a round knob would look great on my Okuma Raw and Trio of that color scheme.

Now...when you hit  the NZ Paua shell color combo...sign me up!

[STRIPER LOU]

Thanks for all the comments! Yes, the orange is amazing. It will go well on black, silver, green, and an orange reel! The green really pops too. I have a green Cortez 4/0 with a gold tib frame and I'm going to pair it together with the green/gold knob.

I'm actually trying to make some for my own reels. My brother was over the other day and commented about all the beautiful custom reels with no knobs. If I display them in the shop they're as good as gone.

Steve O, no paua but I do have one piece of abalone that I've been saving. Guess Ill have to turn it up when I get a chance.

Some knobs have been shipped to Japan, Norway, and the UK. Man, the postage and insurance is insane. Do any across the pond gents know of a dependable way that's affordable?

OK,  please enjoy the holiday and all the best,  ..  Lou

[Tiddlerbasher]

Shipping from the UK to the US for a small parcel (weight 2Kg - 4.4 lbs) is £12.2 (approx. $16 US) - tracked, insured (up to £250) and signed for.
I don't know why the US rates are so astronomical 
They certainly put me off buying (from the US) a lot of the time.

[foakes]

With as many people we know traveling back and forth across the Pond from the UK to the USA -- it seems like a dozen knobs could be shipped to a reliable person -- who in turn would take them in their carry-on luggage.

Then just ship regular postage when they got back in country.

I shipped a Shakes Sigma reel to Australia last week -- $23 for 6 to 10 days.

If it went expedited -- it was nearly $200.

Best,

Fred

[STRIPER LOU]

Thanks TB and to Fred for the idea's! I'm thinking one of the knobs to JA was around $35 with insurance. I know ebay uses a distribution center, its a bit on the slower side but I've been told it's pretty reliable.

The tough part in using someone that's going over there is to get what everyone wants coordinated, and done  in a reasonable time frame. I do have some materials in stock but with the varied amount of colors available, its impossible and costly to keep a big inventory in house. The other problem is there are a handful of people that make this stuff with the quality needed. Getting what you want is sometimes crazy. This is one of the reasons we are going to do the Starburst pattern in house.

Is anyone familiar with the distribution method that ebay uses? I believe its just about what Fred had mentioned as from there it get delivered as regular mail.

I'm a true worry wart on shipping these things as I'm always wondering will they get lost or damaged. So much time goes into them and if that should happen, its a total loss.

Sal had said my packaging is just about bomb proof but ya all know that anything can happen on a bad day.

We'll figure something out and thanks to all again,  ..  Lou

[David Hall]

Beautiful as always Lou. 

[Rothmar2]

Stunning, every single one of them!

[Three se7ens]

Lou, if you can use a padded envelope, the rates overseas are usually pretty good.  I can typically ship a handle arm and star to Australia for under $5 via USPS First Class international.  You have to go through Paypal to get good rates though; the USPS website and post offices dont typically offer the First Class International option for padded envelopes. 

BTW, all the colors look spectacular.  I really like the orange/bronze color.