Ordered my first batch of Copano cork, and am wondering how it sands/shapes.
I have done a lot of work with traditional burl and regular cork, and regular cork cuts like butter compared to burl.

This was also my first order from Bingham, and they were really quick to respond and very helpful.

Thanks,
Marc

It shapes like burl cork, it's pretty tough stuff!

Regards
Dave

Fishing is Life the rest is just Details

Hi Mark,
The Exotic Burl material we manufacture is much harder and denser than regular cork. However you'll find that it sands and machines very well. I have found that a Stanley Surform file works great to rough down the cylinder. From there simply use 80 grit to refine the shape and work up through 400. When you're finished leave the grip spinning in the lather and wipe several times with a wet paper towel to remove excess sanding dust.

Andy Dear
Lamar Fishing Products

Thanks Dave and Andy. Can't wait to try this stuff, looks great on the rods I have seen.

Marc

I've been through about 400 rings so far. The Capano rings look really good on the Batson R7+ fly rods with matching casting grip and fighting butt. When it's finished it looks like lepard skin; very unique.
The Burnt cork looks great on graphite gray blanks.
The Laguna does't look like regular burl cork it has a richer color when finished than burl.
Of all the exotic rings I've tried so far the Aransas is my favorite. Once the grip has been turned and finished sanded with 400 grit sandpaper it feels and looks like a piece of fine old leather. It produces a grip that is so pleasent to the hand the way it is I do not want to change the texture by putting sealer over the top of it. And I don't want to change the smell of the grip either.

marc, it works very nicely. Not quickly by any means, but nicely. Very hard stuff but works very evenly and with no surprise voids once you get to shaping. You are going to enjoy the quality.

Leather...that's a great way to describe the feel.

Andy Dear
Lamar Fishing

I've been through about 300 rings myself. I like the way it looks but it's a lot tougher and denser. On my last full wells fly grip, I used a spindle gouge just to try it out. The stanley surform, or a wood rasp is a better rough shaping tool. I've found that a half-round rasp is good for getting deeper round features in the grip more quickly than with sand paper.

I use it more for trim than 100% grips, only because it's a little heavy for light fly rods. Makes glorious reel seat inserts though.

I'm off to go turn some now.

Terry

Try boring it out way oversize and using Flexcoat arbors inside for a super light grip if weight is a concern. Got that idea from Stan Grace's light wood grips.

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

I like the copano and turn it just like you would wood, with a gouge and finish with a skew. I then sand it down to 400 grit and apply tru-oil. The copano isn't smooth to the touch like regular burl it's more like Andy said the feel of leather. I like it and have not used a regular piece of cork for quite a while.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Ah ha, the arbor idea. I haven't used this since I don't do wood grips but it's a great tip. I like it.

The one time I used a gouge to shape Copano, it did get to my basic shape quicker but I had to sand a little more.

And actually, I find the surface to be quite smooth once I get through 400 grit and agree that it feels great.

Good stuff and thanks.

Terry

Yeah...it can be as smooth if you sand it up past 400 or so.


Andy Dear
Lamar Fishing

Leather????? I was trying to figure out how you spin it in the "lather". Let's see, my Palmolive is thick enough to spin in and my cheeks are really smooth afterwards, it might work!!