Ed... it's kind of a weird place to be there but I sense some personal experience there. I have given plugs to guys and seen them sold before... didn't hurt my feelings, on another note though, if it were a special plug that I had made with that person in mind I might be hurt. One good thing for you Ed... all the plugs you've given to me or traded to me wouldn't bring 5 cents on the plug market... I've destoyed them all feeding them to bass :cheers:

Nope ... no personal experience,, or hurt feelings ,, not on a soap box .,, no drum to beat ,,,or flag to wave .. Just throwing topic up for discussion ... Your declaration funny as a bastagde Dave and legally binding.. :usd: ..Just wondering how people felt to see,what they felt was there pride and joy on ebay.. Or add insult to injury ,,,sell cheap :bc: Plugs = civilized man or Plugs = law of the jungle . If feelings really get hurt duelling is still legal .. Sundays,, Boston Common after 12:00 am and the Governor must be present ..

Once it leaves your hand, its theirs to do with as they please. That said, selling a gift plug, unless really in need, is sort of low. The only time I would get a little pissed is if I gave a plug to some who for testing purposes, and they sold it without giving feedback or noting when they sold that it is a proto and may not be sealed. Would hate to think that I gave someone a plug for testing that, while the action is good, it was not sealed, I used cheaper primer/paint/clear to get it to them quickly, and figured I would send them a good one once I got feedback. If that plug goes out to someone else who thinks it your normal stuff, you the builder stand to lose in the long run. That is, you got no feedback and someone may have a substandard plug with your name associated with it. And no, that person would not get another plug from me :doh:

Personally, I prefer to fish the ones I get (even tadpoles). In rare instances, I have given traded plugs to someone else. Only happens in cases where I know they will use them and I have not used them in a while.

Jigman

I agree with Jigman. Feedback is more valuable then the plug. I think all plugbuilders want to improve their designs' fish-catch-a-bility/ swimming action.
My prototypes are marked: Proto (Early ones had a number system I abandoned)
Special designs made for someone or some specific situation: Special
Fish 'em all I say, let God sort them out.
Chumbucket

I have one of your "specials" and am currently building a hermedically sealed veiwing chamber for it :D

I also have one of you proto numbered plugs that we traded way back when, it's a big needle.

As far as etiquette goes, i think it's common sense, and that seems to vary with the individual.

I only acquire plugs that I really believe will catch fish. Then I throw away the packaging, to insure I won't start collecting them! The newest always go in my bag!