I have a Kabuto white 6623 custom built by Marty DeSapio that I will post about when
I find the time to take some pictures. 6' 6" 2 weight 3 piece (better with a 3 weight, imo).

I am considering selling the rod. Another on the horizon!

I have a few and enjoy them all. First up the Norie Early Spring 7' 2/3wt. I posted on this rod in the ultralightflyfishingforum earlier this year, easier for me to post a link than repeat it all.
http://ultralightflyfishing.com/forum/v. .. ilit=norie

I picked up a 6 piece Axisco Airrite 7' 3wt this year. This rod is much like the Norie but with a significant amount more power in the butt section. Limited time fishing her, so far I'm pleased. Again, the type of rod you need to wait for.

I also have a Kabuto 662 and I also prefer it as a 3wt(This one built by Vlad). To me, this rod is well different than the other two. This Kab is medium fast with some good strength in the butt section. Unlike the Norie and the Airrite, you don't need to wait for this one. Throws a quick tight loop and generates ample line speed. Obviously made in Japan but not the type of action I think of when thinking of Japanese rods.





Jb

That is as an aesthetically pleasing rod as you'll ever find! Woof!

I manipulated the color of first photo to make the rods blend better with the subdued background. The rods actually have more color. ..

I'm pretty sure that was Fred's Kineya ...

Doc, I agree with Corey - think that was a Kineya "Amber Shadow".

I am not very good at judging comparative slowness in fly rods but my progressive 7' #3/4 Studio Thin Line is slow much like a 7 1/2' Hardy Perfection or 7' Axisco but with a weightier feel somehow - bamboo like. It may be a touch slower than either of them. Although the 2.6 oz. STL weighs less than the 2.7 oz. Axisco, the STL give the impression of having more heft in the blank - very controllable with an ability to cast in close.

Gearboy loaned me his 2012 Tiemco catalog and they list four interesting glass rods in their "Glass Master" series besides the two Wojnicki rods: The "Naoto Shibuya Model" 7'9" #3 five-piece @ 78,750 JPY (They note that it's Made in Japan). Three other glass rods in three piece are also cataloged: 7' #4 @ 68,250 JPY, 7'7" #3/4 @ 60,900JPY and 7'7" #4 @ 61,950. Interestingly, they are not listed as being made in Japan, so perhaps they are made in China. The lower prices may also point in that direction.

(The two Tiemco Glass Master Wojnicki rods: 7'2" #3 @ 99,750 JPY and 7'5" #4 @ 99,750 JPY)

Dylan, that's a sweet little rod that Marty built for you and the Peerless looks great on it.

Dylan - beautiful Kabuto custom build. The split rings/grip remind me of Orvis.

Corey/Duff - Kineya! Yes, that was that gorgeous rod I had in mind. Just finished looking at photos in Fred's past post. Gorgeous.

Thanks all.
Just to clarify, Marty built the rod for himself and I since purchased it from him.

Thanks for the great photos, CC. What line do you prefer with your STL?

I'm with you, CC. The SA Supra in buckskin is a great line and not too expensive given the era of $100 fly lines. I've used a version of that line in Buckskin for years but am always worried that SA will drop it (thought they did once but they changed the name from Ultra to Supra) - too good and too inexpensive. FWIW, I like a WF4 Supra on my STL.

Thanks for the scan, Duff (and gearboy). Always great to see new glass being offered, even if I can't afford it.

Given new offerings consistently coming out of the US and Japan, I wonder if new glass is is being offered from Europe or other parts?