Over the years I've broken about 8 wooden nets.
Spend the money on unbreakability......not looks is my .02cents.
Fishpond is the way to go, if you are really gonna get after it.
I wish they made them when I started, I would have saved a lot of money.
One net to rule them all.....
Wood is pretty but..........
And as others have said....fish like the clear bag..Gotta keep them happy.
Jim
8 wood nets? After the 7th I would think you'd quit buying those balsa nets made in India and China. LOL J/k
The only 'customish' net I've seen break was my buddy's when he used it to land his 220lb. arse when he fell(Brodin net). Busted the hoop. Any piece of equipment is doomed for failure when it's subjected to forces outside the design.
The wood species/quality used plays the biggest part in nets. Most of the *cheap* wood nets use less than ideal species/quality but they are common, readily available, and along with cheap polyurethane coatings, make for a low cost investment. Wood species/quality can get VERY expensive and so can time with associated coating. (*I use cheap because that's what they are from a wood workers perspective)
I made myself a wading staff net from job waste: 6 ply "clear" cherry/maple epoxied 11.5"x 19" hoop, over all 41". Tung oil infused (makes the wood "harder") and multiple coats of a Tru-oil finished for depth, scratch resistance, and fast and easy touch up. The handle is marked even inches on one side odd on the other. 5 or 6 years of having it support my weight as a staff in some less than desirable points on trails and channels. The next one will feature more of a grip on the hoop top for my hand but my gluing template wouldn't allow for this feature. This is a 2-3 week minimum project but 80% is in drying/curing time.
I do agree with composite being lighter but in terms of uniqueness, craftsmanship, and personality the composites get a ZERO when combined with cost IMO. (I am biased
)
Durability?....The biggest thing I see in many custom wood nets is the handle strength being compromised with inlays. My long handles (when I get a hankering on making one) are a single piece with inlays less than 1/4 the handle depth. This way there is a single piece of solid wood running from butt to hoop. The inlays offer increased flexibility but too much and it will compromise overall strength. OR I might opt to run several laminates the entire length; all about the end visual. A 100% laminate net would offer more strength than a composite. Most houses incorporate LVLs(laminated veneer lumber) to support roof, floor, and stair loads. BUT this net will not be as light as the same sized composite.
Cheap wood nets I have seen fail many times but for $15 who cares. Wal-mart may just replace it
.
Quality finishing products can cost more than those nets in most cases.lol Throw in the time for curing and, well, if $15 is an ideal I would just keep buying those nets.