Has anyone out there used those american tackle wood accented handles with the matching reel seat? They look pretty sharp. I've never used any of their products before.
thanks,
Greg

I haven't used them but I saw them in Charlotte and they look pretty sharp!! I wouldn't worry about using ANYTHING from American Tackle. I use a majority of my hardware components from them and I think that they are of excellant quality (and price) Never had a bad experience wioth anything of theirs!!!

Mike

those have always capture my eye. originally, the only design flaw i found was they were based on the U3 reel seat, which i don't care for. now i see they have a secondary, optional seat with the locking ring not rounded like the U3. i might have to try one out some day.

eric
fresno, ca.

I've used one. It was just OK, there was quite a bit of cork filler in the cork. The ID is also a very peculiar size, quite a bit bigger than .25, AND they don't tell you that anywhere. I now have a lathe so when I want a similar style, I can just make it myself.

I have just installed such a set for the first time. It is very well made of excellent cork and wood and looks superb. I chose the Kingwood version and am very pleased with it's appearance. Another nice thing is that the grip an dinsert are vbery light in weight. My only reservation is that the grip is thinner than most. I am accustommed to the grips like those on the factory Allstar rods. They have a larger diameter at all points on the grip. I have not had a chance to cast with the American Tackle grip yet so I don't know how comfortable it will be. I hope it will prove satisfactory so I can use more of these sweet looking sets. As usual, American Tackle has made a beautiful product.

I've never seen one in person, but from the pictures in the catalogs it looks like there is a very small gap between the wood and the cork, just enough so that it look like a thin black line. Is that the case, or is thier a smooth transition between the two materials?

I have one and it's really sweet.

The cork in mine is EXCELLENT.Very little filler and as good as any pre made grips I've seen.It's rated at AAAA,and it's as good as any pre made grip I've used.About the same as REC's flor or Struble's pre made grips.

The gap between the cork and wood is very thin.You can certainly tell that they are 2 seperate materials(obviously),but the gap isn't anything that draws my attention when I'm looking at it.I guess if you were REALLY fussy you could cut it off with a hack saw balde or something,sand it down smooth on each side,and then re glue it together,LOL.

I guess if you are the type to hold it up to your face you could always find some kind of faults,but I'm a very fussy person usually and the one I have is definitely pleasing to me.It's definitely a nice product to have for those who don't have access to a lathe to make your own grips like this.