My flocked grips are coming out really great. But I still wonder about the electrostatically charged grips. Are they that much better? How much do those machines cost? Is the cost worth the difference of grips you can do by hand? Do any of you use the electrostatic type made flocked grips? Your opinions of them?

Flocked grips done by the method you mention have been around for decades. Some of the very best and most expensive rods have employed them, mostly on offshore boat and trolling rods. Biscayne Rods did their own grips and have done them for other builders over the years. They use/used the electrostatic machine. In the RodMaker article, I also mentioned a rod builder who has been using the same process and machine for several years. Ron Holmes will flock grips for other builders using his electrostatic method for a fee. You can reach him at 865-922-2350. There may be more builders who are using this process, but if so, I am unaware of who they might be.

The electrostatic process for flocking is the best method as it tends to align all the fibers on end which allows you to get more fibers per square inch on the grip. The result should be a denser surface than what you can achieve by hand with the mini-flocker or air gun. But, the difference is slight and you'd have to weigh the cost of the electrostatic set up which would run you about $800 to $1,000 to get underway. How many grips do you expect to be flocking? I think you'd have to be thinking about doing a great many in order to make the electrostatic machine cost effective.

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