Hey guys thanks for being here!!

Im building a 4pc 4wt 8'6" St Croix legend and wonder what grip I should make.

Now that I have built several rods I have found out I do not like reverse half wells ,ultrafines or slender cigar grips even on light rods, they are just not comfortable for me for a whole day of casting.

I know many of you use only full well style grips even for small rods I sort of agree, but I have been told by many people the "Fenwick style half wells is a very comfortable grip. Ive never tried one and have seen RECs version that was inletted for a uplock seat.

I have my rings glued up on a mandrel, a combo of burl and golden witch grade A 1/4" and 1/2"and wonder If I should shape a short full wells or perhaps a "modified" half wells "fenwick style" grip. im using a Venneri uplock seat.

I guess if I go with the fenwick style grip the only difference will be no flair at the bottom but still have a rescessed hood.

any thoughts will be of great value!!

Happy wraps,
"John"

With the Fenwick style, it will be very hard to recess the hood at the bottom of the grip. If you really feel the need to recess it, the full wells may be better.

And never be afraid to come up with your own "custom" shape. You're the one who has to fish the rod, not the fly rod police.

......................

Tom

Thanks again I just may do a hybrid grip, or do a full wells and and turn down the rear flare a bit.

REC offers a half wells thats inletted the butt is not a narrow as a Fenwick grip. I never tried a half wells style and would like some input from any users.

I do agree a custom shape is in order but ?


Ps: how is your color preserver tests going?? Im curious how the varathane 900 worked out for the tests?

Happy wraps


"John"

Certainly at least one of the reason you are building this rod is because you want it done the way you like it. This is what "custom" is all about. Make the grip anyway you want. It is your rod! If it fits you and makes your day on the water more enjoyable, then who cares what it looks like. I have put all kinds of weird grips on my rods. The reason ... because I could! Who know, maybe if someone fishes it and likes it, I can sell them one just like it.

One way to experiment with grip shapes is to take a wooden dowel and put play dough on it the size of your intended grip. Shape it and see how it feels. Keep tweaking it until you get the one you want to put on your rod. Once you get the grip right, let it harden and you will always have it for reference. Take measurements and then shape your cork to the specs.

On my most recent rod, I used a half wells (i.e. Fenwick), and I must say that it's really, really comfortable. I had to use a downslide reel seat, but that made the balance better anyway. I have also used REC's half-wells in the past, and it was mighty comfortable too. Along with a thick cigar grip, the half wells is my favorite.

I'm right handed and use a lefthanded Curado so I made the grip fit MY right hand.I love it!! The burl rings didn't come out like I thought they would but it sure feels good................Kyle

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