I need to do a repair on a stand-up rod that had the eva crushed in a harness. I really do not want to do eva again, because I know that it will happen again, and that rod will not fit into a standard rod holder with the eva. I am leaning toward using a rope grip - surf style I guess. I really do not know anything about it. Have tried some searches, but nothing.

Do I do a simple thread style tuck to start and end?

And, how about finish? Do I need it? If so, what? It would take me a couple of bottles of permagloss for that much material.

I do have a couple of ropes on hand that I could use. One is a spectra/poly that is high memory (stiff) and no stretch (2.8mm), and the other is a nylon/poly with medium memory and no stretch (3.0mm). A third option that I intend on buying for another project is similar to the first, but 1.5mm. The spectra/poly looks the coolest though.

Any insight would be appreciated.

I stongly suggest using Nylon cord. Try different diameters for comfort. I like paracord among others. You can tack it down with adhesive or not. Your choice. I had good results using some Rod Bond but next time I'll try the Lamar Epoxy. Too much glue will harden the feel of the cord. There is a good article on this in RodMaker Magazine. Check the link for the particular back issue. Just thin out the ends to avoid bumps. I twist the spiralling cord against itself as the final step to tighten it all down. Cord makes a great grip and it's easy to change.

Dave

RodMaker Magazine had a complete article on making cord grips in the Volume 9 #3 issue.

For your purposes, you'll want to "toughen" the ouside of the cord for heavy duty use and resistance to abrasion. I've made many wading staff handles with nylon cord and coated then with Permagloss. About 3 coats usually makes them tough as nails without making the cord appear glossy.

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Drew, go to your local home center (I've tried Home Depot and Lowes, but the last time I loaded up on cord, Home Depot had more options) and pick up some nylon twine in various thicknesses. You do wrap it on the grip just like a guide, tucking the ends underneath. You may want to put something over the ends -- on my surf rods, I use EVA grips -- both to lock in the ends and also to cover the end wrap.

I use marine urethane on my cord grips, and it's worked very, very well. A quart will cost you about 10 bucks, and will last just about forever. I wish I had a picture of the grips I just did -- maybe I'll go home later today and take one and post it.

I'm a big, big fan of cord grips. Cord is extremely durable, light, and feels great in the hand. And it's easy to replace, and cheap to boot. I've used it primarily on surf rods (I build mostly surf rods), but I like cord so much I've experimented with it on other rods too. Do some experiements on a scrap blank (or even on a scrap broomstick), and I think you'll like it.

Cue makers drill a small shallow hole in the substrate - sitck the chord in the hole - dot with superglue - wait a few seconds - wrap away - no pull through thickness to burnish.

Drew,
I too have built a lot of rods using cord handles. I think that you have received some good advice above but here are a couple of additional things to consider. Nylon works well and is softer so easier on your hands but will get dirty especially if it is a light color and should probably be coated with something like Permaglos. Polypropylene is a bit harder on your hands but does not need any coating as it will not get dirty. It will last for years on a rod without any coating. Polypropylene also comes in many more colors.
I think that the smaller diameter cord tends to be a little more comfortable on your hands and I think easier to wrap.
I fray the ends of the cord before wrapping over it and if you do this you will not end up with a large bump at the ends. Also I use a thin coating of epoxy on the blank that I wrap the cord over.
Cord handles are not light so I would not use it on any light rod that is going to be used to cast with but surf rods are probably OK and it works especially well on boat rods. I wrap the cord on first and then apply the butt cap and reel seat and press the butt cap and reel seat against the cord with enough pressure while the epoxy drys so as to not get any unsightly gaps between the butt cap or reel seat and the cord.
If you want to experiment a little you can simultaneously wrap on a couple of colors of cord that matches the color of the wraps on the rod. I think it really looks nice when the colors of the cord matches the colors of the wraps on the rod.
I think that the tubular material that is available now is probably a better choice for both surf and boat rods and you might want to consider it instead of cord handles. It will be lighter and just as durable.