I want to flock a fly cork grip and would like to spiral masking tape on the grip or even make a dimond pattern with thin tape so the cork shows as well as the flocking. My questions are: Is this a good idea? Will the flock cork line be rough? Will the flocking lift from the edges as the grip is used? Will the line be so thick that it will be to rough on the hand to use for a long time?
Cheers Ron

This all depends on how well you perform the process. The urethane flocking adhesive it pretty thick, and thus doesn't tend to seep under the tape edges. I think you'll find that you'll get a pretty nice, crisp line between your flock and regular un-flocked cork.

The flock shouldn't lift from the edges anymore than it would from the middle of a flocked area. Just make sure you get enough flocking in place to begin with. And remember, you can't over-flock - any excess can be collected and reused. Keep going until you think everything is fully covered, and then add some more. Than add some more.

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Is it neccessary to buy the flock kit mentioned in the article? Are there other companies that offer similar kits? I'm just exploring my options and didn't know whether it might be better to buy bits and pieces rather than a kit. Sort of like getting to the point where instead of buying a rod kit, a builder will select his own blanks and related pieces. I just wasn't really sure what was available in this area. Thanks.

The "rod grip flocking kits" offered by Donjer didn't exist when I wrote the article. In fact, it was only because of the article that the kits were even introduced. I've been flocking grips for years and the flock and adhesive from Donjer were among the supplies I had used in the past.

After the article was written, I got an idea that it might be easier if builders could buy an appropriate "kit" instead of hunting and pecking and getting the wrong stuff (which I had often done and which was easy to do). I called Donjer and told them what I was up to and then sent them a rough draft of the article. At that point Jill Goldman got back in touch with me and we discussed the properties needed in the adhesive and actual flock in order for it to work well in exterior applications such as fishing rods.

To make a long story short, we put together the pieces that will give you the best results when working with fishing rods. There are certainly other companies and other types of flocking material that you can use, but you have to be very careful. Some types of flock will rot if used in exterior applications. Some flock is too long and tends to look a bit garish or "funky" on a fishing rod (I had always used flock length of .080, but I persuaded Jill that .040 would feel and look better for use on rod grips).

If I were you, I'd start with the kit and then fill in with more flock and adhesive as your needs require. What Donjer is offering in the form of the kits and related pieces is taylored for use on fishing rods. I'm not saying other stuff won't work, but you may have to go through a long process of trial and error to find stuff that works as well as you would like. The stuff in the Donjer kit is the result of several years of my own trial and error. I've already done the work (and made the mistakes) for you. No need to repeat it, unless you just want to see if you can come up with something better.

You might also want to try the standard suede flock, just for kicks. It's very smooth and the fibers are short. It's almost like having velvet on your rod handles. However, you'll have to decide for yourself if it's going to hold up over the long haul for the use you give your rods. What comes in the kit is a nylon flock material - it's not as smooth but should be many times more durable.


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Suggestion: After you put your tape on I would think that it would make it easier to take the tape off if you cut the edges of the tape after the glue is on, maybe with a razor blade Have not done any yet but sounds like a good idea.