Has anyone out there tried scorching cork and using it as a rod handle? How'd it hold up? I ask because late last night I had a mishap with the torch and a handle on a little 2wt. I figured 'hey, what the heck?' and torched a bunch of the rest of it-- making a light marbled pattern over the handle. It looks really good but I wonder as to the long-term durability. For what it's worth, I more singed it than actually torched it. I buffed it with a cloth before putting Cork Seal on it, and the black wasn't flaking or rubbing off.

Scott Kinney
The Longest Cast Fly Rods
[www.thelongestcast.com]

Have not tried it with a torch but did a couple using a wood burning tool. Used the round shaft that comes out of the handle and rubbed it up and down the cork to get a nice chocolate brown color. When finished with Tru-Oil gunstock finish seems to hold up very well. Got the idea from burning feather patterns on cork duck decoys years ago. It takes awile so have settled on using stain instead.

Bob



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/08/2006 03:11PM by Bob Crook.

Thanks for the input Bob! The 'pattern' I applied to it is definitely not even in color or distribution like you were going for, but it does look nice.

I also had the chance to meet Steve the other day on his river and he was a very gracious host. He was fishing with one of the rods you had built him, too. Looked beautiful. When (if?) it stops raining, I'll be out there again chasing the trouts!

Scott Kinney
The Longest Cast Fly Rods
[www.thelongestcast.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/08/2006 04:21PM by Scott Kinney.

Scott,
I've done a couple of rods by lightly charring the cork they have held up well but a lot depends on how deeply you char them. I went light and only changed the color and contrast of the cork . Finish them with cork sealer or tru oil.