Rick, from Reeleasy's post under the Walt Carpenter thread in the Maker's and Manufacturer's Topic Area, the following from literature from Walt Carpenter mid 90s: "The Mahogany is the result of my desire to create for the angling fraternity, a fishing rod that is enjoyable to own in the off season as when you are fishing with it. It was inspired by the rods offered by the custom makers at the turn of the last century, and as one customer observed,'has all the aesthetic qualities of a Stradivarius'. Toned in a rich mahogany shade with chestnut brown intermediate and primary wraps, it also features very fancy butt signature wraps. The guides are the original English twist, tungsten, bronzed. The fine tips are topped with the original small loop Perfection tops and the first guide is genuine German agate. The hand made ferrules are made in the traditional waisted, step down style with nickel silver ferrule plugs. . . . The special 200 year old mahogany used in the slide band seat, has a high finish and is mounted with oxidized, nickel silver reel seat hardware." I will try to find time to post a better picture when I am at my office. The Mahogany pictured is a 3/2 7'6" 4 wt. A very small cork grip, likely around 4.75" in length and very narrow diameter at the top of the grip. Surprisingly, I usually don't like small grips, but this one 'just feels right'. Three other rods that I would not sell/trade: Recently acquired Carlson 7'6" 2/2, a mint Thomas and Thomas Fountainhead 7'6" 3/2 (arguably, perhaps after the famed S.C. Phillippe Rod, the most beautiful rod I have ever seen, and I actually own one), and my Gillum 7'6" 2/2 Serial No. 539 (see Martin Keane's comment on the same model he owned, No. 540, at page 117 of "Classic Rods and Rodmakers). So, I actuallly have 4 rods I really don't ever want to part with). Anyway, the Mahogany is a special rod by Mr. Carpenter. Regards, Ric