I was looking at a el cheapo rod today and after further investigation found that the grip was a foam grip covered with strips of cork. As I was fondling this thing I noticed how soft and nice the grip felt. It had the softness of foam yet the cork provided some protection. I love the way Andy's cork feels after a few uses (tacky) but it is quite a dense cork also. You can use his durable cork strips over a soft foam and probably have one of the most comfortable grips out there. Plus they will be tacky and soft.

I did take the grip apart while nobody was looking and it seemed softer than EVA, so I am on a hunt for the foam. let me know if you have any ideas what they used. It was a creamy yellow color if that matters.

Most comfortable grips out there - flocked! I am flocking some foam and the feeling is quite nice.

Some of the cheapo rods use that as a way of saving money. Not sure if the case with the particular rod you were looking at, but it didn't take long for some companies to figure out foam was cheaper than cork. Lot of people surprised to find out their great looking handles on their walmart specials don't hold up very well with all the filler and everything else, myself included.

We have a customer who wants an "oversized" grip that is "grippy" (like a tacky, oversized golf grip) but not EVA, Hypalon, or cork. So we used a "thick" EVA piece (1-3/8") and then used a piece of X-wrap shrink stuff (flock) to cover it. Not as soft as EVA by itself but "cushioned" to the touch.
It's a simple solution to the problem and looks great. It's not really expensive to build, either.

We did it on the foregrip, too, so they'd match.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

Link to a picture of the "stuff" you reference.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

This stuff is not a sign of a premium well constructed rod - beware!

Hey Bryan...
Check out the buy and sell located here. I have a few of these I am selling or
mail me at : fred_schoenduby@sbcglobal.net and I will get you off a list

Tight Lines
Tight Wraps
Fishin'Stix by Fred