60/713

F. E. Salsbury (Manufacturer)

Box of samples showing the making of a split-cane fishing rod. Made by F. E. Salsbury, Ewhurst, Surrey, c. 1945–60. British Council 1960.
This oak box contains samples showing the making of a split-cane fishing rod. A ‘single built’ rod is made from six V shaped sections of Tonking cane, while a ‘double built’ rod is made from twelve. It was made by F. E. Salsbury of Ewhurst, Surrey, circa 1945–60 and is part of a large collection of traditional craft products acquired from the British Council in 1960.

MERL miscellaneous note, B. L. 22 March 1961 – ‘The British Council collection. // This collection of material which is covered by the accession numbers 60/430 to 60/791 contains examples of craft products made in the British Isles. The major part of the collection was prepared immediately after the Second World War for a travelling exhibition which was sent to Australia and New Zealand. // The collection was purchased for a nominal sum by the Museum in two portions, the one in the summer of 1960 and the other in February 1961. // For further details see the individual catalogue cards and the catalogue prepared for the temporary exhibition of the collection.’, MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘The box contains samples of materials used in the making of a fishing rod. The maker, F.E. Salsbury, Twixtrees, Ewhurst, Essex [Surrey], has supplied the notes given below. // The box containing the samples is made of oak and measures 7 1/4” x 3 1/2” x 2 3/8” (three samples are shown in the lid). // Extract form letter, which describes the method of making a split cane rod. // “A split cane rod is made from six V shaped sections (twelve in the case of a double built rod) of Tonkin cane. // “The tools required for making the rod are a saw, a plane, a file, a cork borer, a gauge of 60 degrees and a hard wood bed on which to shape the sections. // “In the small box will be seen the various sections and how they are assembled and built up, both for a single and double built rod. The double building referred to is required when the diameter of the section required is greater than the thickness of the cane. To finish the rod, a cork handgrip, ferrules, silk bindings, guide rings for the line, ready made but the maker of this rod makes his own. Stainless steel is the best material for the ferrule but hard drawn, seamless brass is also good. // “Silk twist is used for the bindings. This is waxed before use by a liquid made by dissolving clear resin (violin bow resin is excellent) in spirit of turpentine – this takes about 3 days to dissolve. // “The guide rings are fitted to the rod at regular intervals to guide the line and distribute the strain along the rod. They should be graduated with the largest at the butt and the smallest at the tip. Those used at the extreme tip and butt work best if lined with agate but failing this porcelain is sometimes used. The intermediate rings are generally made of stainless steel, German silver, or hard brass. The first ring from the tip should be bound on three inches from it and the following rings at increasing intervals of two inches. To finish the rod off, it is given at least three coats of “outside” varnish.”', British Council Ref. No. Not known.

Ewhurst [Surrey]

1945 - 1960

Fishing rod, Sample