Source for ABALONE, DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SAVINGS OF 50%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FLATLINER]

Folks, I have been in contact with the Manufacturer for the Abalone sheets that I have been using. I have negotiated with Aqua Blue Maui in Hawaii. They have agreed to open up sales directly to rodmakers that want to buy shell veneer. The price for the shell is as follows:

Premium Paua Abalone $16.00 per sheet. Thats right, $16.00 per sheet. The adhesive back is $1.50 per piece and comes already applied to the shell. Each sheet is 9.5" x 5.5"!!!!! HUGE!!!!!!

One piece of veneer will do a 80 class rod with a 9" piece on the butt wrap section and 2" pieces under each guide and there will still be some left over. We were going to be a distributor for the shell, but I don't think the demand is going to warrant having so much on hand to cover the needs of customers. They can actually paint the backs of the shell to give it a different color tint in 300 different colors. Thats just too much for us to invest in at this point. So Scott at Aqua Blue Maui has agreed to deal directly with us to help further the use of the shell.
If you need it, contact Scotty at Aqua Blue Maui.

The shell sheets are 5.5" x 9.5" and come with sticky back adhesive that is impervious to the vinager when soaking. By dealing with them directly, the savings will be about $12.00 per sheet. THATS RIGHT $12.00 per sheet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, before you had to buy 3 sheets at a time from Hawaii lure at $25.00 per sheet. Now, you can buy 1 sheet at a cost of $15.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[www.aquabluemaui.com]
tHE CONTACT AT AQUA BLUE MAUI IS SCOTT: Scott's email address: aquablue@maui.net

This is a rodmakers exclusive. VERY IMPORTANT : You have to use my name, KEVIN KNOX in the email to get the pricing.

Have fun and give it a try........... affordably,
Kevin

[shoefish]

flatliner-
I'll be building a few 50 set ups this spring and was considering using abalone in place of the butt wrap. Do you have any pics of the material that you have or guidance on how tight of a diameter it can be wrapped around?
Thanks,
Shoe

[Double D]

Thanks for the tip Flatliner

Only problem - too many colors to chose from

Welcome back shoe...

[paul708]

Thanks VERY MUCH for posting this for us on here a great thing for the rodbuilders to take advantage of..THANKS AGAIN....some places wont let me have "tri-state custom rodbuilders" in my sig on posts ..funny story call me about it

[Ed k]

Thanks for the info. I can already see this on a couple of rods that I'm getting ready to start on.

[gut fish ?]

hey flatliner just sent an order out I'll let you know how it goes

[GAMtnRodMan]

As of this AM I'm a newbie on this site. I'd like to thank Kevin Knox for seeking out a supplier for shell veneers. I'm excited about this new art form and will keep you guys posted on my results as soon as the new veneers arrive.

[FLATLINER]

flatliner-
I'll be building a few 50 set ups this spring and was considering using abalone in place of the butt wrap. Do you have any pics of the material that you have or guidance on how tight of a diameter it can be wrapped around?
Thanks,
Shoe

I finished the rod last night. Tonite, it is spinning with the first coat of finish on it. I was able to wrap the abalone under each of the rollers. It did exhibit some slight cracking under the top two guides, but is barely noticable. So, I will be posting pictures this weekend as it will probably take a couple more coats offinish to be where it needs to be. This is the classiest rod I have ever built. Unbelievable.

[Finesse]

It did exhibit some slight cracking under the top two guides, but is barely noticable.

Kevin ... So you saw no fractures in the butt wrap ??
Look forward to the pics !!! and thanks to both yourself and Marlin for taking the "leap" on trying this

[FLATLINER]

There might be one or two, but that is over a 9", one piece length. When using the method that I described, the veneer will roll around the blank with little effort and the wrap will go on in about 5-10 seconds. I can't wait to post pics, it is absolutely beautiful.

Kevin