Your preference 1/8" or 1/16" cork tape?
I have done a surf rod with 1/8" cork tape looks good but feels soft, spongy. I have a factory rod in the shop for repair and it has 1/16" tape on it and feels harder and more solid in the hand.
Just wonder what your preference was.

I've always done my deckhand style rods with 2 layers of 1/8" tape and
I agree with your soft assesment but spongy they are not IMHO.

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

1/16 inch, unless you just need the additional thickness to fit your hand better.

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I've used 1/16" between the rear grips on a recent split grip. It's only purpose is to keep the blank from getting beat up in the rocket launchers.

1/16" Composite (cork/rubber) tape - more durable than straight chopped cork.

I've used both, on thiner sticks I'll use the 1/8 th, in the case of a large diameter butt and an angler with smaller paws I use the 1/16' stuff.

The 1/16" with an application of X tube shrink tube is a great way to go, probably the toughest most bullet proof deckhand style handle you can apply is real Tuna cord.

When I say real Tuna cord I'm referring to tuna seine cord used for tuna netting, not the cheaper colored polyester stuff on the market today.

Seine cord is nylon and comes in a braided and a twisted lay, I prefer the braided stuff myself as it holds up longer. I have an 870H Sabre that has a TC grip that's about 20 years old and it's as sound as the day I put it on other than being a little silver gray rather than jet black.