Hello all. This question is rather trivial but I have always been curious about the rear cork grips found on many steelhead spinning/casting rods. I am speaking about the ones that taper around the mid section and then flare out again at the butt. Is this purely for cosmetic purposes or does it actually serve a purpose? The only thing I can think of is that it saves a bit of weight in comparison to a similar rear grip that is straight (like the butt section on some flipping rods). Any opinions on the subject?

Hello Tom
It is not for weight savings as cork is very light. The drivers in rear grip design for steel head rods for me is the style of casting of the user.
And of course preferences of the customer or myself for that matter as I do a steelhead fish myself.
Most level wind style rods are cast with the dominate hand (right or left handed person) gripping the trigger finger with the thumb at the back of the reel. Some casters want to "cradle" the rod using the elbow of the casting arm on the rear grip for leverage. And on it goes. Some casters feel that a smaller diameter mid section gives them a more secure grip. Then there are the two handed casters and spinning rod casters that have preferences too. If you go into a retail store and check out the steelhead rods you will find some with a slightly smaller diameter mid section rear grip and most with a straight rear grip. Perhaps Emory Harris will comment from down river in the Woodland area where there are many steel head fishermen too.

Regards Joe

His Rod Shop
Joe Kassuba

Tom, That seems to be a standard shape on ready-made grips. To me at least, it's a universal grip that allows any number of hand sizes to grip the rod adequately. It does consider the little guys & gals along with the adult hand sizes. Personally, I think it is far too narrow for long term casting use. It fatigues my hand because I grip them tightly. That was primarily why I shaped my own handles or have modified fly rod handles for all of my fishing rods.
Patrick Vernacchio

Tom,
Good question. A couple of other possibilities in addition to those mentioned are.
The smaller diameter may make the longer rear grips a little less expensive to produce.
In some types of fishing the rear grip is tucked between the upper arm and body and the smaller diameter may be a little more comfortable in this position.