Can any one help? Over the last few years I’ve acquired several old split cane rods from jumble sales and boot fairs and have attempted to restore them.  After stripping off the old varnish I have re-coated with  several layers of matt yacht varnish and although I say it myself, they look pretty good.  While a few have been complete duds and not much good for anything other than pea sticks, a couple have been well-balanced with a lovely ‘feel’ and good fun to fish with.   However, an old boy I got chatting to while fishing the Medway at Tonbridge a few days ago, said that excessive varnishing could dry out the cane and make it more likely to crack or split.  He advised rubbing in linseed oil linseed oil instead and only using varnish on the whippings. Advice appreciated.     

Mike,
All of my split cane rods are varnished and mostly over 40 years old. None of them have ever shown any signs of cracking or splitting, and they all get an 'airing' on the river bank once or twice a year.

These include: A Wizard, MkIV's Avons and Carp, SU Carp MkIV, Avondales, and an old cane stalking rod made on a Walker blank.

Modern versions equally varnished include a Merlin and a Carp Perfection, again no signs of cracking or splitting.

Sounds like you might have met Donald Effingham Mudde to me . . .

insert U-No-Wot - - - > HERE

I think he may have been thinking of Greenheart, for which an oil finish is fine.

I've seen the odd viseo on restoring split cane and have also spoken to a chap at a game fair who restored split cane, they all used varnish.

Thanks lads.  Advice much appreciatd.

In the so called "hey-day" of split cane rods linseed oil wasn't recommended as a replacement for varnish it was used to rub a thin layer over your rod prior to fishing to cover up any minute cracks in the varnish protecting your cane rod from water damage.

Agree with others' comments re. varnish, which should seal them and actually prevent moisture loss/drying out. It's certainly worth avoiding standing them on the floor leaning against something - to prevent their taking a 'set'. Sew a tag on the rod bag and hang them from a hook.