We all use the term on a regular basis, but what actually is a Palakona cane rod? In 1882 Hardy invented a revolutionary system of building hexagonal-shaped or formed rods from lengths of split bamboo strip. Trade mark No 246936, they are sought after worldwide by collectors and anglers in equal numbers. All the cane […]
Category Archives: Thomas Turner blog
30
Apr
Apr
We didn’t really know what to expect for our first valuation day at Rod & Tackle in Cramlington but it certainly delivered the goods! Dave Hogg who runs Rod & Tackle with Grant Harris kindly collected us from the hotel. As we drove the few miles to Rod & Tackle I couldn’t help thinking if […]
30
Apr
Apr
On June 9 2024 Fish In Need trustee Simon Clark is setting off to walk 150km to Hereford. He’s raising money for both FIN and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Fellow FIN trustee, Paul Whitehouse and friend Bob Mortimer thank existing donors and “encourage others to join in” Click here to see Paul and Bobs […]
09
Apr
Apr
We have been fortunate enough to have bought around 30 Hardy Perfects from various sources over the last few weeks. Ive always loved the classic Hardy Perfect, since my Dad I found our first one at Bridport Flea Market in 1988. The engineering that went into making these reels has always intrigued me; there are […]
02
Apr
Apr
Jim Bruce & Ken Walker are a force to be reckoned with in the rod building industry. Jim’s apprenticeship was under the demanding watchful eye of his father who ran B. James of London. Jim took over B. James, and by 1963 the cane market was giving way to fibreglass and the business transported itself […]
26
Mar
Mar
Well, what a valuation day that was! We always love a good valuation day at Thomas Turner but this was different. Normally we get around half a dozen people arranging times to see us on the Saturday and then a few more arrive unnannounced. This time we had the usual 5 or 6 people arranging […]
General articles, Thomas Turner blog
Robert Marrs (1886-1964), Samuel (Sam) Marrs (1918-1999) rod builder/repairer
20
Mar
Mar
Back in December 2022 we published a blog ‘Robert Marrs, rod builder 1886 – 1964’. The information in this blog was provided to us by a TT customer Stuart Maxwell who had purchased a Robert Marrs rod from us to give to his son-in-law who was a member of the Marrs family. Just recently, we […]
13
Mar
Mar
They say Spring is in the air but here in the West Country all we seem to get is the cold and lots of rain! Not to dampen our spirits, Thomas Turner have kicked March off well with some great buys including one in Europe. A call from a gentleman in Germany got us excited […]
05
Mar
Mar
I wanted to expand on my last blog on the growth in popularity of carved fish and especially with reference to the late Russian guide and carver Nick Podolski and an interesting pair of very large Hardy Wye fish we have here, but Dave had other plans for me! Another trip round the M25 found […]
28
Feb
Feb
The Allcock’s Aerial reel, is it a good investment? I’m tempted to say YES and end it there, but had better elaborate a little. Over the 25 years I’ve been collecting, as sure as the sun comes up in the morning there is always a collector who wants an Allcock’s Aerial reel. Launched in the […]