Stephen8802

Yes on Kaplan, nothing better. Also, Clement. I bought this book in 1981 and read it everday for years. Clement taught me what classic clubs were.

The Pennas seem to be based on the traditional Armour irons that go back to the pyratone days. The Chas Congdon M85s are really special and need a full makeover. I found them in rough shape and the deserve to be brought back. I'm really lucky to have both of these.

Those are great. Here are my two, some Charley Penna irons and a set of Charles Congdon M85 supers.

Macgregor clubs with different name stamps are my favorites. They are hard to find and make the clubs much more interesting. That's a good find, especially on 693s.

I probably have 30 or 40 putters, maybe 50. They are as old as pyratone shafted Iron Masters and as new as a current Bobby Grace. The newer putters absolutely make putting easier and more accurate for me. Especially high MOI mallet types, but also my Scotty Newport. I'm putting better now with modern putters than I ever did in my prime, the only part of my game that is better. That being said, I still have a range of styles behind me in the office that I putt with everyday. 20 or so are heal-shafted classics, 10 or mallet styles from the 80s-2020s, and a few answer styles, both metal and ceramic. I may putt better with a more modern high MOI mallet, but the older putters are still a lot of fun to putt with. I usually putt during boring calls when I don't have to speak and will use multiple putters per session. I'll putt 15-20 balls and then switch to another style. A TaylorMade Daddy Long Legs is in my bag, but putting with my '64 8802, 345 8813, Iron Masters, or 80s/90s Clevelands and Old Masters is pure joy. The attraction to older putters is that playing them makes me happy. Unless you are playing for money or competing seriously, what other reason is there to play any club?

Start with the Mike Rees videos on YouTube, that will get you 90% of the way there. The Maltby and Paul books are both good for reference, but I only used them for rare issues not covered by Rees. Also helpful, although more time consuming, is to go back to the earliest post here and read anything about club repair and take notes. I did that when I started refinishing and found a lots of good tips. There was a lot more action here 10 or 15 years ago and a lot more people who refinished. Lastly, find someone you can text with when you have questions, most people who have learned it are happy to pass on info.

Goodness no. I have sets ranging from the 1940s to the 2020s, so trying to bring them to the same spec would ruin at least some of them. I can see moving clubs upright or flat if that's something that you are used to, but changing lofts from what they came with ruins the clubs. Play them as they were designed and enjoy the difference.

The new colors in that insert are fantastic, its great that you are being so innovative. I love the DPS stamp on the top, a little old, a little new.

We look forward to you posting more. Your work is fantastic, and this is my favorite so far.

I hand reamer bit is $35. If you don't already have a handle, you need one of those too. It's easy and quick work if you have a vise. I've done several sets and individual wedges and would encourage anyone who enjoys working on clubs to give it a whirl.