listed on pacific bay's web site are the new "bamboo burl" cork grips. has anybody seen one of these live and in person? besides our pacbay brethren of course ;-) any thoughts or impressions? any sponsors stocking them yet? they've piqued my interest, i just wish there was a shop around my area which stocked them. thanks!

eric zamora
fresno, ca.

We've received samples of the new Bamboo Cork. It is different and has a really unique appeal to it. For the time being Pac Bay is only offering a half well style fly grip, a 7" butt grip for spinning or casting and a matching 2-1/2" fore grip. I will have to check with Pac Bay and find out when shipments of this new and interesting product will arrive. I will make a post back here and let ya know the availability.

Bob McKamey -- Custom Tackle Supply

Mud Hole has has these grips available for over a year in fly cork configurations - Full & Half Wells - we called in Knotty Cork. Cut and Paste the URL below.

[shop.mudhole.com]

In general the cork is much harder then traditional cork - meaning it feels firm in you hard, but is tough to ream and sand. In using these handles, we have found that people that cast by pushing with their casting hand thumb and tend to wear out traditional cork handles can benefit from these harder handles.

The Knotty Cork looks best when coated with U40 Cork Seal because it really brings out the grain and knotty look.

Cut and paste the URL below for a look at an old steaming video we did showing how to best finish this type of cork and Burl cork rings.

[www.mudhole.com]

Tight Lines,
Team Mud Hole Custom Tackle
[www.mudhole.com]
Phone: 407-447-7637
Eamil: Sales@mudhole.com

thanks bob. some say i myself have a really unique appeal, so maybe this new cork and i would get along just fine. let me know when you receive a few. fly guy style is what i'm looking for, reversed halfwells and fullwells, in that order. thanks! ;-)

eric
fresno, ca.

I am told by Pacific Bay that delivery of the cork to us as a distributor, will be the first week of December, which is not far off. Just contact us either by phone - 931-684-6164 or e-mail us at the above e-mail address and we'll go ahead on accepting orders for the Bamboo Cork. I can see whether sealing, staining, etc., will bring out the grain pattern of the grip. And yes Eric, you and the grip would be unique, by having some of the first of the Bamboo Cork.

Bob McKamey -- Custom Tackle Supply

Eric. I have stained and varnished Mudhole's knotty cork and it looks exactly like wood.

We have it on order and are just waiting for Pac Bay to ship Back-Orders.
Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop

Is this material a lot more dense and heavier than standard cork? Don, just curious what's your favorite routine when working with this stuff to make it appear like wood and what stains seem to really make this stuff look nice? Thanks for your input.

I posted a picture of 4 cork grips on the Photo Page under Handle Assemblies along with a what stain and finish I used. Take a look and see what you think. Since then I have done some full wells grips and they turned out well. My first choice for stain is cherry or golden pecan.

If anyone wants more information email me.

Bob

Bob, thanks for the photos, just wondering if you have ever stained the knotty cork and what it looks like.

Don, have only seen it on the Mudhole web site. Don Davis said he stained and finished some so he would be the expert.