I have some closed cell foam the kind ,used for fly poppers in 1 1/2&21/4 in. diam. Has anyone used these for grips? It's slightly softer than eva,just wondering if it's worth using. The colors are pink & purple which are hard to find ,i want to use them on my daughters rod,really not my rod ,lol
















































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It's similar material but not always as firm as most of that sold for rod grips. But it is at least similar. If it feels good to you, has the right firmess you desire and comes in the colors you want, then go right ahead and try it. The important thing when selecting materials for our rods is not so much what others use or what we think of as being the traditional or standard stuff, but whether or not the material is suitable and if it works. There are a lot of great materials for rods just waiting to be discovered while we remain married to other stuff just because it's what we're used to.

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I'm going to use it ,it holds up to bluefish pretty well and had same poppers for a few seaons with out deteriorating so it should be ok for grips.Like you mentioned ,we won't know until we try,thanks , James (zeke)Stavola

James,

A word of caution before you try this.

A few years ago, I built a 'stacked' grip using closed cell foam sheets on a light fly rod. Alternated shades of brown. Looked great.

Couldn't fish with it. After just a couple of hours I had serious a 'dishpan' hand. All white and puffy. No idea 'why' but it had to be something with the grip and how it handled water and perspiration. The hand got tender and sore, but quickly returned to 'normal' when I switched to another rod.

Anyway, I learned that lesson the hard way, and removed the grip from the rod and replaced it with cork.

You may have different stuff, of course. I got mine at the craft shop.

Good Luck!

Buddy Sanders

If you use the stuff, perhaps you should seal the handle so you don't get any reaction ??

thanks guys,its probobly same stuff you got,this is from a kids toy rolling pin from target .this will be on spinning rod so wont be handled like fly rod grip,i'll try &see what happens ,thanks again.