IMHO cork is now obsolete for grips and handles. Thanks to Andy and Tom for the articles on the coverings and cores. I can see a lot of tinkering will be going on around my house in the next few weeks. Really great stuff and sure to change the direction of custom and maybe even factory rods for all time.

I'm not sure that cork will ever be truly obsolete as a fishing rod handle/grip material, but now there are some extremely good options as alternatives and which actually trump cork in certain categories. They're easily far, far better than EVA, hypalon or even wood in many cases where weight is a concern. These first articles are only the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for two follow up articles that expand the materials and techniques into another realm. There is so much you can do in this area that it really boggles the mind. I expect we'll be seeing all sorts of new ideas once the magazine gets to everybody in another week or two. This is the sort of thing that imaginative custom rod builders are going to run away with.

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No matter but my mind is already racing with ideas. Why has nobody thought of doing this on a fishing rod before??

I don't know for sure that they haven't, although if they have they've never written about it nor taken any photos of it. At least not where anyone in the rod building public has ever read or seen such a thing. Either way, it's going to set off a firestorm of new ideas in handles and grips. Who knows what else.

I have a strong suspicion that some commercial rod manufacturing operations will be very interested as well.

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

Now I'm wondering????????????

Hmmm, let me guess, current issue or RM? Hopefully soon

The issue is not due until December 28th, but we mailed just a tad early so that most would get it before Christmas.

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Can't wait to read the article. The last cover really got my attention. As expressed I'm of the opinion that there is great potential. But I can't help but think about the recent posts about how the fishing community tend to stick to their ways.

Tom, I subscribed this past week, any chance I will be getting this issue?

I would like to know what this thread is about.

Can someone enliten me please. I have obviously missed something.

Thank You,

Paul

I fish therefore I am.
www.hookeduprods.com

It is about an article in the latest issue of RodMaker Magazine covering new ideas for grips. The cover of the last issue had a photo of an innovative grip which is to be discussed in the new issue. If you are not a subscriber to RodMaker now is a great time to get on board. It is the single most abundant source of information on rod building to be found anywhere. What you read here usually is discussion about things which are detailed there. Think of RodMaker as being the trophy fish and the discussions here as the ripples it generates.

Dave

Since nobody will tell the rest of us what the material is, my .02 is that if the new secret material will absorb bait oils, salmon egg juice etc, cork will never be obsolete in the pacific Northwest and for anglers using bait.

paul

THANK YOU. I have tried to get Rod maker, here in Tas but with no success.

No one will answer my enails , ? .

I would still very much like to hear about this new material ?.

If possible.

Thank You


Paul.

I fish therefore I am.
www.hookeduprods.com

Paul,

I'm also in Tassie and while not a subscriber to RM, I have picked up quite a few back issues when I've needed them. Back Issues and subscriptions are available through Ian Miller at The Australian Rod Builder. Shoot him an email and I'm sure he'll help out.

Cheers

Jason

Hi, Jason,

Thank you very much for your response.

I have tried Ian Miller on a number of ocassions, but have never got an answer.


Thank you for your post.

Paul

I fish therefore I am.
www.hookeduprods.com

Jason, if you wish to get in touch.

www.hookeduprods.com

www.thefishingsite.com.au

You can find me and we can meet if you wish.

Paul

I fish therefore I am.
www.hookeduprods.com

It's a real tragedy. Here in europe (germany) we have no little chance to get the RodMaker Magazin. I hope and pray, that someday a digital Version or achive is available for the rest of the world. I'm sure many people outside the us wait for this and would pay for the digital version.

Olaf

There will never be a digital version of RodMaker outside of the back issues on CD, which will be closed out after the first of the year. There has been no demand for a digital version - many magazines have tried this and found the interest wanting. I'd need thousands of online subscribers, not a couple dozen.

Contacts for RodMaker subscriptions in Australia and Germany are listed on the magazine website.

Anyone that subscribed prior to December 1st will get the issue in the regular bulk mailing done on that date.

The scheduled delivery date is December 28th although some will get it before others due to the way that presorted standard (3rd class) mail moves.

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@#$%& has just become a dealer for RodMaker Magazine copies. I do not know if Mark would entertain mailing issues overseas (I found it fraught with difficulties and thus discontinued it) but I will mention it for those who might be in his area and prefer to pick up copies in person.

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I get your point Tom, but disagree in some points. Most Magazines havn't had a substantiated web-strategie. They only put the Magazin on a Website. That is not the way to sucess. But i understand that it isn't attractive to go an risky way.

I'll give the new contact at the subscription page a try. The last one has never answered. Hope this time i will get the magazin.

thanks

Olaf