Is cork seal needed? I was told that it makes your cork feel slick. Do factory rods normally have cork seal on them? Advice and opinions aprreciated as always. Thanks, Shane

p.s. this particular rod is a steelhead bobber and jig rod, so it should not be as messy as a bait rod

Shane;
In my opinion, personal choice prevails here whether it is needed or not. Some folks prefer the look and feel of unsealed handles. I build only with grade A cork handles and find that although the quality of the cork is excellant, the use of cork seal darkens and enhances the colour a bit, while providing that little bit of extra protection which may help to extend it's overall lifespan. I have found it certainly aids in protecting the cork from dirt and debris and allows for easier cleaning with a little soap and warm water. To my knowledge, I have never seen a factory rod which has been sealed. Perhaps that is why you will find top quality factory rods with a plastic sleeve covering the handle! My personal steelhead rods have all been sealed and boy you sure can remove the roe yoke easier when the cork has been sealed. I have reconditioned many rods for customers whose cork handles have started to rot due to extended use, improper care and storage.

Shane Lyon wrote:

> Is cork seal needed? I was told that it makes your cork feel
> slick. Do factory rods normally have cork seal on them? Advice
> and opinions aprreciated as always. Thanks, Shane
>
> p.s. this particular rod is a steelhead bobber and jig rod, so
> it should not be as messy as a bait rod

I use cork seal on all of the rods I make. Just make sure you follow the directions and use only one coat. The cork will not fee slick at all. If you go and try to add additional coats to the cork, which I tried one time, then the cork does seem to have a slick feel to it when it got wet. Was like the second coat was just on the surface and wanting to come off.

I use cork seal. It does change the appearance of the cork. Grain is enhanced showing imperfections. Try it on the handle or another one. You can easily sand off the layer that is sealed.

john kepka

What brand of cork seal works best and where do I get it. I have never used it on a rod before and thought I'd try it on one I am building now.

The only brand made specifically for use on cork is the U-40 "Cork Seal" product. There are other products that can be used, however, including Thompsons Water Seal and BirchWood Casey Tru-Oil. All give a slightly different look and feel.

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