In the pursuit of perfection, we believe God resides in the details. The SOLID OCTAGON embodies no compromises, no hollow spaces of concession. Every aspect is a result of relentless exploration of functionality and rationality, leading to the assets we proudly present below:
Octa Ferrule
Boasting a patented design (Patent No. JP2012-187035), our Octa Ferrule features a non-circular cross-section that prevents twisting. The male part’s three-dimensional structure is perfectly replicated in negative on the female side, resulting in a flawless 3D fit. The challenge lies in creating a deep octagonal hole in a solid carbon shaft. Our process is not an indirect method of separately molding male and female parts. Instead, we directly replicate the male side as a prototype, then separate after the female side is formed. This method allows for extensive contact within the ferrule’s inner surface. Unlike multiple contact points, our design doesn’t convert friction into heat energy, thus eliminating any wastage in power transmission. The creation of the Octa Ferrule follows these steps:
• Apply a release treatment around the male ferrule shaft, then mold it with high-strength carbon thread in a transverse winding. • Machine the above into a smooth, circular cross-section. • Drill a round hole in the female ferrule side. • Insert and adhere the male part into the female part. • Separate the two parts, leaving the transversely wound carbon in the female side, thus completing the octagonal hole.
Twisting is the beginning of loosening. A structure that does not twist is fundamental to a ferrule that does not loosen. Consider the cost that anglers have incurred due to troubles and time loss caused by ferrule twisting and loosening. Sometimes, these issues can lead to missed critical opportunities or even damage valuable rods. With our Octa Ferrule, you can spend a whole day fishing without a moment’s concern for your ferrule, focusing solely on honing your senses. The Octa Ferrule is our otaku-level answer to the destiny of ‘not twisting, not loosening’ imposed on ferrules.
Octa Grip
Octa Grip is not just a design ornament; it’s a revolutionary answer to two critical challenges in casting. Firstly, it amplifies and transmits even the slightest variations in the shaft to the brain as signals. Secondly, it ensures that the input for casting is transferred to the fly without any loss, no matter how minute. The secret lies in the octagonal cross-section grip: for effective power transmission, surface contact is key, and for signal transmission, point contact is fundamental. This shape was chosen to fulfill these contradictory conditions while ensuring comfort in actual use. The Octa Grip blocks the twisting force of the rod during casting, allowing for more deliberate control over the unique characteristics of the octagonal shaft. Think of tennis or badminton rackets – there’s a rational reason why grip cross-sections by racket manufacturers worldwide are octagonal. Octa Grip is more than just maximizing your chances; it’s the optimal transmission for connecting you and nature in your pursuit of fly fishing.
βTi Nitride Guide: The Essence of Precision and Strength in Fly Fishing
At first glance, they may appear brass-like, but their golden hue is the innate color of TiN (Titanium Nitride).
In the world of fly fishing, the guide is a pathway for hope and power, playing a crucial role in the rod’s composition. To maximize the capabilities of the shaft, it’s essential to minimize unnecessary weight. OCTAGON’s guides are crafted entirely from β titanium, treated with nitriding. β titanium, distinguished by its body-centered cubic lattice (unlike the hexagonal close-packed structure of pure titanium), exhibits near-superelasticity and resilience. This lightweight, high-strength, and highly corrosion-resistant material has an astonishingly low Young’s modulus, ensuring flexibility with remarkable recovery ability. Unlike stainless steel, it never rusts, even in seawater. Each guide is handmade, bending β titanium wire and performing fine TIG welding. Further, to enhance surface hardness and reduce frictional resistance, we apply a penetrative nitriding treatment. Unlike surface coatings like ion plating or chrome plating, this high-temperature process bonds pure nitrogen with titanium, permeating the material with a nitride layer, significantly improving the durability of the coating.
Infinity Guide: Redefining Minimalism in Fly Rod Design
Could there be a more minimal guide structure? The Infinity Guide, with its closed ring design, revolutionizes fly rod guides. Traditional snake guides, though less prone to operational issues, are not the ultimate solution. Their two-point attachment to the rod shaft inevitably adds stress and affects flexibility. Even the slight increase in weight and air resistance can cumulatively impact performance. Resembling a one-foot snake, the Infinity Guide features a twisted ring form. Made from precision TIG-welded β titanium wire treated with nitriding, the Infinity Guide minimizes weight, air resistance, and load on the rod shaft, vastly expanding the opportunities for a successful encounter.
Infinity Guide after InstallationInfinity Guide before Installation
Attaching the Infinity Guide to the shaft is a time-intensive process, requiring the wrapping thread to be threaded through the ring with each wrap. However, this small initial investment yields sustainable future benefits.Each guide is handmade, bending β titanium wire and performing fine TIG welding. Further, to enhance surface hardness and reduce frictional resistance, we apply a penetrative nitriding treatment. Unlike surface coatings like ion plating or chrome plating, this high-temperature process bonds pure nitrogen with titanium, permeating the material with a nitride layer, significantly improving the durability of the coating.
Customization in Action
Was there ever a carbon rod maker capable of customization in action? Alongside the functional rationality of OCTAGON, opening the black box lying between rod makers and anglers is a modest revolution. The production of OCTAGON is based on a philosophy different from mass-produced carbon rods. This is possible thanks to a manufacturing method that does not require mandrels (molds) and prepregs (materials with a shelf life). Due to the uniformity of materials and the precision of cutting machines, OCTAGON achieves extremely high reproducibility in processing. This means that action design can be graphically and numerically confirmed while providing feedback. It allows recognizing the nuances and feelings in numbers. The elements determining OCTAGON’s action are very simple:
• Length • Taper design • Selection of material elasticity
While the guide position and grip size are also important, the pure action as a shaft is determined by the above three elements. Unlike hollow rods, there is no need to consider complex factors such as the taper of the core metal, cut shape and directionality of the carbon cross, resin selection, or baking temperature. This simplicity allows anglers to directly participate in action design. By sharing and feedbacking numerical values based on sensory demands, it’s possible to create one’s own ultimate rod. Understanding the cause-and-effect of events is, undoubtedly, the joy of a fly fisherman. Additionally, as all production processes except the manufacturing of the materials themselves, including nitriding of guides and machining of reel seats, are done in-house, we can flexibly respond to customizations beyond action
Material Explanation
The base material used by OCTAGON consists of solid round bars made from bundles of carbon fibers, impregnated with resin, compressed, and thermally cured. This is known as the pultrusion method. From these CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) round bars, we carve out octagonal-section shafts. CFRP is currently the material with the highest strength and modulus of elasticity for its weight, which is why it’s used in high-speed vehicles and aerospace applications – it’s light yet strong. The carbon fibers used by OCTAGON are Toray’s PAN-based carbon fibers. For more details, please visit the Torayca website.
The modulus of elasticity of the carbon fibers varies with the model and intended use: 24t for standard elasticity, 30t for medium elasticity, and 40t for high elasticity. For context, bamboo has an elasticity of about 1.5t, and fiberglass around 8t. It’s important to note that a higher modulus is not always better. For instance, pitch-based carbon fibers can be significantly more elastic than PAN-based fibers. However, in selecting carbon fibers, factors like compressive strength and elongation limits are crucial, especially for fishing rods, which are designed to bend. Pitch-based fibers are not suitable for this purpose. Additionally, ultra-high-modulus PAN-based fibers can be very brittle due to low elongation limits. The selection of fibers is based on balancing four key factors: modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, compressive strength, and elongation limit, choosing the right fiber for the length and line weight of the rod.
For tubular rods, a sheet material called prepreg, which layers longitudinal fibers with transverse fibers for reinforcement, is used. This is wrapped around a mandrel and shaped. While one might imagine that a solid shaft composed only of longitudinal fibers would split like cheese, in reality, the breaking point for longitudinal splitting is far beyond the bending limit of tubular rods. There’s no need to worry about longitudinal splitting under normal use. The ferrule section alone is wrapped with high-strength carbon fibers, hidden from view.
Assembling
Rod Sections
The standard for OCTAGON pieces is a three-piece design. This is a result of balancing compact storage with the action design. Given the cutting machine’s design, the maximum length for a single section is 880mm, allowing for the creation of rods up to a total length of 2600mm in three pieces. Should you desire longer lengths or additional pieces for other reasons, please consult with us.
Reel Seat
Our reel seats all employ an up-lock sliding ring mechanism. This design minimizes contact between your palm and any metal parts or edges when gripping. We don’t use screw locks even for higher models, because a sliding ring can securely fasten without loosening, offering a simple yet effective solution.
Tension Lock Seat
The tension lock seat concept involves a thin titanium ring embedded inside the cork grip end. It uses the ring’s deformation to exert spring force, securely fixing the reel. The high elasticity of the titanium pipe deforms around the reel foot, gently enveloping it. This action, combined with the opposite reaction, slightly lifts the other end of the reel foot. The sliding ring then compresses this raised part, creating tension that firmly secures the reel. Unlike screw mechanisms, which rely on their length for effectiveness, our tension lock seat continuously applies stress, ensuring a simpler yet more reliable fixation.
Polyetherimide
For the tension lock seat’s sliding ring, we use polyetherimide, a super engineering plastic. This amber-colored transparent resin is flexible yet boasts extraordinary weather resistance and strength. It adapts to the shape of the reel foot, providing a secure grip akin to ultra-hard rubber.
The octagonal outer perimeter of the ring facilitates smooth attachment and detachment of the reel.
Seat Filler Material
The seat filler material can be chosen from various woods. All models are designed for sea use, and all metal parts are made of titanium.
Paint
OCTAGON’s exterior paint uses high-strength two-component urethane for the shaft and cashew for the guide wrap. Cashew, derived from natural materials (cashew nuts), offers durability surpassing chemical paints. See more about cashew paint.
This choice reflects our commitment to product durability, beauty, and reduced environmental impact during production.
Case
A sock is included with all products. As an option, you can choose between an original design aluminum case with a wood cap or a carbon-made OctaCase.