After too many years I'm finally going to build out an old Fisher glass blank I've been hanging onto.

I've got the guides, seat, silk, selected. I've found a grip that I like but not sure the length that it should be. Looking at a a Winston catalog of the same vintage, there is no mention as to the grip length. I'd hate to finish this thing and find I put too short a grip on it and likewise one too long. Actually, longer would be better than shorter as the hand can adjust to a longer while a shorter grip, unless required. never seems to work out.

Any suggestions? Is there a formula?

Thanks in advance!!!

Dave

I'm sorry.... 7' 4/5 weight....

I just got Proofs 5.75" Torpedo grip. I really like it, I think that would go great on your blank.

It's a matter of personal preference, of course. I have a hard time with short grips. My minimum length is 6", which is exactly what I'd put on that rod.

I have a factory 7.5 ft fisher graphite, and to be honest the grip and reel seat are completely functional but not very decorative. Down-locking reel seat with a close to cylindrical cigar grip

Here are the dimensions.

1/4" winding check/hosel
6&1/4" grip
4&1/4" reel seat

I find this grip is a bit long. If you have a down-locking reel seat, you can move your hand back down onto the reel seat some. I find I do this a lot with shorter rods.

it sort of depends upon the grip shape, to a certain extent.

Cigars can work well down to 5.0"
Half/Full wells probably need 5.5"-6.0"

Although, I've done a few very subtly-shaped half-wells on some short rods at 5.0"-5.5"
and they fit and feel great.

Aside from shortening grip length for 7' and shorter rods,
I also make these grips thinner than I would a longer rod.
(I'll go .750"-.800" max girth on a short grip, .850"-.900" on longer ones...)
It just feels right, for short and accurate casting distances

Best way to figure out how to shape and size your custom build grips,
is to take some calipers to other rods you own that you really like.

For a 7 foot rod, proportion dictates short and slender, comfort and function call for a bit longer and thicker. Which is more important to you? If you're building the rod for yourself, do whatever you like based on your experience with other grips. If you think you might want to sell the rod at some point, don't go to either extreme.

I would guess that 6" western or cigar was the norm in Winston form or Fisher. That's a good default. It depends a little on the reel seat length. At least I want the combination to put my thumb where the rod feels just right on the forecast and then relaxes just right onto my index finger as the line settles. I also want a little room to move up and down the grip for other fishing motions or just a change of position for comfort. So I mock up a grip from cork rings and feel my way to the best length and shape. If need be, the length of the reel seat can be reduced by cutting its barrel, making sure there is still enough to loosen the locking ring far enough to allow clearance for the longest foot of reels you would use on the rod. Insert style seats can be mounted at "shorter" dimensions as well, again, leaving adequate clearance. Some rods will feel like they want a longer grip, others shorter. It is quite likely the 7 footer might feel good to many users with a grip as "short as 5" Shorter than that, I think you would have too much flex in the butt ahead of the hand--but that, too, is a personal preference in response to the feel of the blank.