While feeding my addiction (mentioned in an earlier post) I acquired
24 pieces of flocked grips in black and brown and when I got them
I thought they felt funny? It had been a very long time since I held a
flocked grip but I new there was something about these grips that
didn't seem right! Well, I found that SwamplandRods had a couple
of flocked grips sets available and since Bill Stevens does the
seminars on flocking I knew I could not go wrong there and bought one.
THANKS LANCE!! (got 3 pieces for what I paid for 24!) Well, the 3 piece set is just what I remembered it should be SMOOTH! and comfortable!. (of course! YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!) The other 24 pieces were done with a much longer fiber and as my wife puts it, are HAIRY!

My question. Can the flockin fibers be cut or shaved? If yes, how? I tried
using an electric razor and that seemed to work some but I thought I better
stop before I ruin my razor!

If not, does anyone want a set of Wolf Man grips?

Thanks in advance!!

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



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/2006 11:17PM by Raymond_Adams.

I remember Bill show some long fiber type grips that I thought were nive and felt good.Maybe not as long as yours.I inquired about this and he said he does not carry the longer fibers because you need the electrostatic application gun to apply.That was the gun that Ralph O`Quinn had.I actually could use sone long fiber flock for an experiment I got on the shelf but cant see spending the $$ for the electrostatic gun.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

The longer fibers provide a better grip, but do look a bit "fuzzy." I doubt you could shave them down uniformly enough so that you'd be pleased with the resulting appearance.

You can apply the longer fibers with the hand flocker, if you wish. I would reserve them for the larger trolling and boat rod grips, however.


..............

Thanks Fred,

After some thought I figured the electrostatic process had to be used to produce these "hairy" grips and maybe my original assesment of
the quality was a bit inaccurate.

Following Billy Vivona's suggestion in another post. When I get home today I am going to attack one of those grips with a file, razor, sand paper,
pumas stone, and anything else I can think of until I answer my own question! Heck, destroying one grip to gain knowlage will be worth the effort!

In the interum, maybe somebody has some info about those fibers that would be helpful!!

I'll post my results from the attack!

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

Tom,
We must have been typing at the same time! LOL!

These are cigar spinning and fly rod type

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



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/15/2006 09:56AM by Raymond_Adams.

During the flocking workshop in Charlotte a lot of people had the opportunity to directly compare grips with different fiber lengths. It was concluded by most that the long fibers have a definite advantage pertaining to grip security on the foregrips of heavy duty boat rods. It is a more comfortable and secure surface when a fisherman is involved in fighting a large and powerful fish. The longer the fiber the more important the strike angle is when the fiber is applied. The electrostatic unit orients the fibers for this type of grip application better than the other methods. Italo Busi posted some pictures of the foregrips referenced above on the photo board.

For other types of rods fly, bait cast, spinning rods the shorter fibers may be more appealing and will certainly provide the long life desired. Correct application techniques using the canister or the spray unit will produce a quality grip using these fibers.

What are the actual lengths of the "shorter" and "longer" fibers? I just ordered one of the closeout kits from Bingham and am not sure what length fibers it came with, hopefully the shorter ones.

.04 and .10 I believe. Neither is particularly long, but one is longer than the other.

..........