I am working on a project that has required me to take a very close look at preformed cork grips from a number of vendors. The present market structure, pertaining to quality control, is typically based on a visual observation of the surface of the cork and comparison to a rating system. In some cases, the surface is altered in an attempt to upgrade the appearance of the cork piece. Cork can be filled, turned, sanded bleached and protected with shrink-wrap.

I received a new and improved rear grip today from a vendor that appears to have features that are an improvement. My evaluation of this one piece of cork has lead me to ask the following questions:

1. Do vendors have any specifications or requirements for preformed cork grips that they can hold the manufactures accountable for other than subjective visual rating? What would happen if minimum standards did exist for quality.

2. Cork has a density range. Would it be more logical to rate cork quality by the weight of a known volume? A cork with a higher porosity will weigh less. The improved sample I received is just plain heavy compared to other grips. This density should be reported and specified before filling operations. A cork piece full of holes weighs less.

3. Does the compressive strength of the filler material have minimum standards industry wide? I know the answer to this question but think it should be yes. There are contract laboratories all over the world that run 28 day compressive strength tests on all forms of concrete and road stabilization materials. If the filler does not have any strength it will not stay in place.

4. Just how savvy are the grip makers? Take a look at some of the grips you have on your shelves. The center section of the grips will tend to be more heavily filled with the higher quality rings on the ends. Could it be possible that they know that production companies who do not use full plastic wrap will typically place a label over the center 1/3 of the cork grip which hides the true quality of the cork.

5. Should a custom builder have the ability to find out what is the nature of the filler from the vendor? Is it cork dust, bentonite, expanded pearlite or whatever and does the filler contain any glue or adhesive?

6. Is the adhesive in the filler oil base, water base, epoxy or chewing gum?

Tom has long been an advocate of a Trade Group for our craft. I am an advocate of minimum standards or at least a reasonable way to find out what we are buying.

Gon Fishn

My experience with pre-formed fly rod grips has not been good. A few years ago I tried grips sold by some well respected reel seat manufacturers, and from some well respected board sponsors. All were >$25 in price and in some cases I was able to inspect the grips prior to purchasing. In all cases the grips shed a considerable amount of filler after a short time of use leaving me dissatisfied with my own rod and facing re-work.

So I went back to constructing my own grips and have recently had to suspend building of a few rods until I can locate cork rings that will satisfy my desire for quality. I don't have any experience performing cork void filling, but my experience has led me to conclude that a higher selling price doesn't necessarily suggest a better level of quality.

Jeff Shafer

I should point out that my post above wasn't a knock on board sponsors, just a statement about the quality of cork for sale these days. My point is that cork filling isn't the answer. Hopefully better days are just ahead.

Jeff

Jeff,
Although I can't speak from personal experiance I can say that the buzz on this board speaks highly of the cork and rings
supplied by Andy Dear.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

This, in my mind, is not totally a vendor issue - the manufacturers have the control in how they do things. I just think that some quality control measures by the industry in general would really help. We as custom builders are a small voice - the big ones are the production rod builders who stick the cork on their stuff - they could help with a required specification for what was put on their rods. Back door Trade Group! A good market with strength could require better products!

Gon Fishn

Than there is the point that maybe there wouldn't be enough of the good stuff to go around if everyone used it. We can't find enough now, the next batch that hits Angler's Workshop is already spoken for according to them.

Spencer, your post is quite interesting to me! You mentioned the vendor and the good stuff - this implies that someone knows something that is not common knowledge to all who buy preformed cork. You hit the nail right on the head - all of us want to know what the difference is and how to get the "good stuff". I know it exists because I have one piece to admire.

You are also correct about the source - the test piece was submitted by Anglers. The filler has compressive strength properties. I am using this cork in a manner that does not require a visual acceptance criteria - I am primarily interested in the nature, type and strength of the filler.

Gon Fishn



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2005 10:31AM by Bill Stevens.

When I receive preformed grips from a vendor, I inspect them for quality (not appearance): good density, minimum pits, etc. If they're not a good value for the money, I send them back. It costs me a little in shipping, but I let the vendor know that the grips are not satisfactory and that, if they can't do better, I'll shop elsewhere. The most consistently reliable preformed grips come from Mudhole, IMHO.

Bill,
I spoke with my cork manf. about this....again A manf. located in portugal, not a re-seller here in the states. The filler just about everyone uses according to him is basically a mixture of cork dust and a generic type of elmers glue applied via a large tumbler device.

I've been trying to call you on the phone as well.

Andy

The underlying message here is that Bill would like to see pre-made cork grips have structural integrity. If pits in the cork are filled, I believe he would like to see it done in a manner that allows the filler to stay in place. Utilizing a process that results in the filling being temporary is a bit of a misrepresentation. The grip is window-dressed temporarily and the buyer might be misled into thinking he's buying something of greater value than what he ends up with.

I don't think anyone likes that.

Jeff