natetrack
If you have Tom Kirkman's book....that's a great place to start. I've read it a couple times. Lurk around https://www.rodbuilding.org/list.php?2 and https://www.rodbuildingforum.com/ . There's a lot of knowledge there....and don't be afraid to ask questions.
You really don't
need any specialty tools. sharp scissors, razor blades, burnishing tool, rattail files for reaming grips, light, and alcohol (for epoxy cleanup and consumption). I prefer denatured for clean-up and homebrew for consumption.
Nickk
The only rubberized cork is the butt cap. The other stuff is a composite cork material, similar to the rubberized, but without the rubber. I have a jig that aides me in cutting the rings to make the checkerboard inlays. Here's a pic of the cutting jig I had prior to getting my current one.
The old one cut the ring in to 8 pieces. The new one cuts in to 12 pieces.
Loggerhead Mike
The matching pair were built as His & Her's wedding gifts. They sold for $420 for the pair. They were St. Croix SCII 6'6" MLF2 blanks, Fuji Alconite guides & American Tackle Aero reel seat.
The one with the elliptical inlay is my personal rod. If I were to build a duplicate, it would be around $375. It is a St. Croix SCIII 7'6" MLXF, Fuji Ti/SiC guides (TATSG & TLSG micros) & American Tackle Aero reel seat.