Does anyone know of a mail order source fro the one inch foam grips that go on either side of the real seat. Similar to the setup that St. Croix uses. I'm certain I got a catalog advertising these but can't find it. I've tried Cabela's and mudhole and neither one carry them. Any help would be appreciated.

if you mean the nones that go over the Cork tape

http://www.capecodtackle.com/Merchant/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=cct01&Product_Code=RBMSC-7G20&Category_Code=06_09_RODMAKING_ACCESORIES

That's the idea but i'm making a 7' and I think those are for larger surf rods' I need a small diameter version.

what is the DIA of the blank at the seat.

If you have a lathe, you can sand down the foam to your desired outter diameter. This what I do.

Buy Mikes and and do like Tlap.

Diameter of the butt is .71 inches, so a little less where the reel seat will be. The photo that Goose posted is exactly the setup I'm looking for.

I hate them things. Why would you want them? If its for hand comfort ,. why not just taper the reel seat down. i do this by mounting on the lathe and turning the blank while running a dremel with a sanding drum over the edge. gets rid of the lip for those sensitive to it.

Nothing to do with comfort or performance, I just like the look. I think it makes a nice transition from the reel seat to the blank.

I do as Goose showed in his picture on my conventionals, but only on the butt side of the seat. It makes for a VERY comfortable transistion, and it had gotten nothing but compliments on how it looks.

Mike... hours and hours and hours of thread art and some guys say ya don't need it, but hey it looks good. If a good lookin rod makes you fish more or harder then its doing its job.

Thread art may not be needed but it doesn't hurt, The neoprene gets wet and slippery and slimy if you ask me. That's what I hate about it. Matter of taste though. I'm sure some love it.

whatever the dia of the blank is at the seat add just over 1/8" for the CT.
Like Toby said feels great , better ballance and easier on your wrist. I especially like it on conventionals