Abstract: An improved graphite composite shaft which can be used in fishing rod or golf clubs includes a base shaft made at least partially of graphite composite material provided in one or more layers or plies. Each shaft has a relatively slender tip that is normally prone to impact damage. An outer concentric reinforcement layer made of a composite material having thermoplastic fibers, such as Vectran, Spectra, or the like, is provided on the base shaft. The reinforcement layer extends only part of the way up the length of the base shaft from the tip thereof. The reinforcement layer makes the shaft more resistant to impacts occurring at the tip, thus increasing the durability of the shaft without decreasing the performance of the fishing rods or golf clubs that incorporate the shaft.

Abstract: An improved method of making a bent graphite shaft in which a mandrel is provided as the basic form for forming the shaft. The mandrel includes a flexible portion at the location of the desired bend in the shaft. Graphite composite material is applied to the mandrel and to the flexible portion thereof. The flexible portion is then bent into a configuration which provides the desired bend, and the flexible portion is held in this configuration while the graphite composite material is cured in situ on the mandrel to form a rigid, graphite shaft. The mandrel is then slid out of the shaft with the flexible portion of the mandrel being sufficiently flexible to allow the mandrel to pass out of the shaft without fracturing the shaft.