Cork.....Cork Tape....Foam???? Which do you like on your rods for grips and why? I like cork grips on my rods mostly because I got big hands and I like my grips a little on the large side....the cork also wears better than the cork tape or foam in my opinion, it also looks better than the tape and the foam. Just my .02 cents.....how do you like your grips?:huh:

i like cork tape on my surfrods, cork on my fly rods, and hypalon on my boat rods.

Corktape all the way for me!!Never slippery and easily replaced when worn.

I like the cork tape on my surf rods, like previously stated if they wear out easily replaced. Plus i like the small diameter, for me it gives me a better feel of whats going on on the other end of the line. Cork on the fly rod..:cool:

cork tape or cork and no hypalon . I hate it when it gets slippery and you have to use a rag just to be able to hold the rod . Saw more than one disappear into the sea on charter boats ( could have been the clients fault ) .

Cork or cork tape only

Depends on the application. I like cork tape (not cork) on my surfcasting gear. The thinner profile seems to help me cast better. For trolling and standup tuna gear I like foam since I like the comfort when fighting fish from a boat, especially larger fish.

cork tape, and if its not enough another layer of cork tape.

Electrical rubber tubbing that shrinks over thick cord in a diamond wrap. Had this done on a rod bout 10 years ago from Phil at Manhattan Custom Tackle, now all rods are done like this. Comfortable, durable and seems to last forever.

Corktape and cork.

Can't stand foam.

cork tape - I like the feel and it fits in my rod holders perfectly. No binding coming out fast. :hihi:

Cork Tape, I like a couple of layers for my big hands.

All different kinds. Most of my rods have cork tape but I luv the way cork feels on pluggin rods. I also like mixing it up, I've used the textured shrink tube on the butt section... keeps it lite(one of my favorites). I also put some eva in the middle of my fore grip as a hook keeper, looks kinda funny but effective. I double up on skinny diameter.. good idea for fatigue, also a must if your building kids rods. Custom grips...one of the nice things about rod building.

I trimmed the buttcap on this 1084,,yeah its petty feels nice.

Do you do a single diamond wrap with cord under the shrink wrap?

a cork foregrip and cork tape butt.

I like cork tape on my chunk'n boat rod but that pic that Goose had with that shrink wrap over cork tape look's great. I seem to find the cork tape gets a little slimy and grimey wet also gets on your hands
with bits and pieces of cork. I like a comfortable grip above the reel
when I get a fish on. Some of my offthe shelf rods have that kind of
triangular foam style and fits fine in my hand.
Link Sr.:cool:
ps: Maco Joe you got big hands?:jester:

I don't like foam I would rater have cork tape or just plain cork

Cork tape on most rods, Burled Cork if I need a thicker Dia Holds up better than Regular Cork.

Mike....as you build rods do you find more people prefer the burled cork, the cork tape or the hyphalon?

Cork Tape. can't stand foam.. cut it off one rod, put cork tape on.. like my son says, that foam gets "mucky" after a while :hihi:

Mike....as you build rods do you find more people prefer the burled cork, the cork tape or the hyphalon?
They like the look and feel. They don't like the price. cost on the material is $1.35per inch & after drilling ,glueing and sanding comes out to aprox $1.90 per inch OUCH

So they usually go with the tape?

Tape.

I like the tape...if I get another convench made...Im gonna try the burled cork up front

I like a custom shaped cork fore grip and cork tape on the butt section...I have been experimenting with quality friction tape as in the really wet conditions this stuff will not slip period. I have different rods done different ways but prefer the above

So they usually go with the tape?

YES

Slingah, I had a st.croix convench with the real cork grip above the reel seet and I hated it. It seemed to just get in the way. My conventional these days is all cork tape and I love it. Just my thoughts, I'm sure some people do like the real cork.

I like cork tape on my surf rods. I went through a shrink tube phase and it is ok but I have since gone back to the cork tape.

Do you do a single diamond wrap with cord under the shrink wrap? I wanted to add the cord but since the shrink wrap has the cross patern print in it ...it would be nearly impossible to line up the two when heated.

Slingah, I had a st.croix convench with the real cork grip above the reel seet and I hated it. It seemed to just get in the way. My conventional these days is all cork tape and I love it. Just my thoughts, I'm sure some people do like the real cork.
Ya Max...polly would...I have a factory lami...and it has foam or some chit in front( tape below)...I love the rod but hate the bulk...it does get in the way
anybody know if I can remove this stuff???

It can be easily removed and replaced with CT .
Just take a little while for the epoxy to dry on the top grip

It can be easily removed and replaced with CT .
Just take a little while for the epoxy to dry on the top grip
thanks mike...im gonna try it

Come buy the shop I can remove and thread it for you, but can't epoxy there it's to cold

I like cork tape on my surf rods and cork on the spinning rods that I use from a boat.

cork, period.

do most bait shops sell cork tape i like to try it out.if so how much does it cost?

nothing beats real cork handles when its cold out.. its a great insulator.

Come buy the shop I can remove and thread it for you, but can't epoxy there it's to cold
thanks Mike

Well,it's not cork,cork tape or foam.It's a tape material that's textured,like a pebble finish.Similar to a "safety strip" that you would put on a staircase.1" wide and applied like cork tape.
My pal who wraps my rods uses this.
Great stuff.Non-slip when it's cold or you're slimy from catchin'.
:cool:

Well,it's not cork,cork tape or foam.It's a tape material that's textured,like a pebble finish.Similar to a "safety strip" that you would put on a staircase.1" wide and applied like cork tape.
My pal who wraps my rods uses this.
Great stuff.Non-slip when it's cold or you're slimy from catchin'.
:cool:
Stuff is tough as nails.best adhesion of any thing I know of. but guys complained about it hurting their hands and wearing a hole in their waders from rubbing

Yeah Mike,it is tough.Wonder if we're talking about the same stuff.
Doesn't seem that abrasive to me
:huh:

I've been using tennis racket grips for a year now. Find them better than cork tape.

I prefer/use the black pebble grip on both spinning and conventional.

I don't know about "black pebble grip" as Darkstar and Sudsrat mention. Its the "flocked" grip (I think Loomis used it on their factory rods) people say tears their hands and wears a hole in their waders.

every grip has a purpose. what is preferred by some is not preferred by others. so, you have choices. that's what makes custom rods, custom - choices and they are built for you, not the masses.

I used to use Hypalon, but switch to cork tape and now use straight cork. I do have the setup to make my own grips to any shape I want. Like the bigger circumference around the blank for better grip.

John R just add this to Larrys post didn't know I hit new thread

A friend put cork tape ending 4" below the stripper guide. He says he loves it for pencil popping or even as a grip when walking the rocks.

I like two layers of cork tape, the difference over one layer is really noticeable. I usually do a split grip on the back, saves some weight and doesnt eat into your wader crotch. Gotta do one more layer of epoxy over the thread on the split grip to guard against wear but it looks nice and is really functional.

Who changed the title of the thread?:huh:

Who changed the title of the thread?

I thought I was loosing it.....:laugha:

I just did'nt like the title so I changed it. :rotf3:






:whackin: It accidentally got changed when I merged swimmers new thread into the original. I could not remember the original title, but it is similar no

Ohhhh...its much better your way Bill!:rollem:

:rotfl:

If pebble grip "tears up" their hands, they are in the wrong sport.:huh:

If pebble grip "tears up" their hands, they are in the wrong sport.:huh:

Maybe you haven't fished enough days straight to have your hands soften from constant contact with the water. After a few days even 12# cuts into the creases of my fingers when tying knots.

I can see where a rough grip could be a problem.

I think I put enough time in to know if I prefer cork or pebble grip.:wave:
Fishing 40 hours or so a week during the Spring and Fall seasons has got me pretty well dialed in to what I prefer.

No one is quarreling with your preference. In your only your third post on this board YOU suggest that if folks don't agree with YOUR preference that they are in the wrong sport.

I thought that maybe you were new, now I know you're just trolling.:gorez:

Roger, no offense mean't, non taken.:cheers:
Have a great season.
JM

Forget the hands , the flocked grips were actually wearing holes in peoples waders!! That's a little agressive for me!

Anyway , I like cork tape , next choice is real cork.

JPowers tennis rod handles ( I assume leather?) seams interesting. If its leather though , doesn't it get destroyed if wet and dried repeatedly?

Saltheart,

The tennis grips are not leather. They're made of some kinda spaceage composite material. I searched the Wilson ( and a few other) websites when I bought the grips. The engineering/ R&D that goes into tennis racket gripage is mind boggling. There must be at least 100 different configurations of grips to chose from.

Anyway, I don't find that the grips are anymore slick when wet compared to cork. Only problem ( small problem) that I've had is that the stuff does get slick after your hands get slimy touching fish.

Only problem ( small problem) that I've had is that the stuff does get slick after your hands get slimy touching fish.


Small problem cause you seldom get your hands on a fish???? :) :devil:

Anyway , next time I see you I'll take at look at the grip material. may be something others would want when i build the rods.

Saltheart,

Actually, the tennis grips aren't my idea originally. Big Dave mentioned that he uses tennis grips on his rods. I'm certainly not debating with him when it comes to rod stuff. :kewl:

cork tape for everything:kewl: