I am looking at using cork or maybe burl cork for a handle on a salt water rod and I would like to have the finished dim. someshere between 1.25 and 1.4 and will be streight handle design. The OD of the blank at the butt is .7 in The finished length of the handle is going to be aprox 32" total. I am looking for advise in that this will be the first cork grip that I have installed onto a saltwater rod as well as the first handle that I will have to glueup and turn.

Thanks Scott

I built a 10' surf rod for myself on a St. Croix AVID blank and used pre-made cork grips in the split handle design with a cork foregrip. The grips were only 1" diameter but suit my hands fine. 1" doesn't give you much cork to work with so careful reaming was required. I then finished the cork with five coats of Birchwood Casey Tru Oil for durability and looks. I will not be using a sand spike so the rod will not be touching the ground very much and I expect it will hold up well.

If this is the first one you are going to glue up and turn I respectfully offer the following:

Get Everything You Think You Need For The Glue Up Then Do It
Turn it Shape It Sand It Finish It
Successfully Remove The Mandrel
Inspect It - Admire It - Be Objective Is This What You Wanted
If Not
Flock It!

Gon




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2005 09:12AM by Bill Stevens.

Rubberized cork is good for end rings and the butt cap on a cork handle. It holds up much beter than regular or burled cork. It' s a bit heavy for my taste for the entire handle, but you might like it. It is easy to find in 1 1/4 in. diameter. Looks great with a finish of Tru- Oil alongside all other types of cork..including the new Burls from Andy Dear.
Dave