Pre-made fly-rod grips and even cork rings appear to be sized on the "one size fits all" assumption. I don't wear a medium glove, I wear an extra-large. I would like to rod-bond cork rings to a reel seat and blank and then turn the cork down to a full welles that fits my hand/grip. I think I would like to start with some cork rings which have a larger O.D. than the standard "one size fits all" type, but I don't know.
I would like the advice of those who have overcome similar concerns, and any tips they can provide.

RodMaker Volume 10 #3 has a very in-depth article on fishing rod handle and grip ergonomics. Most pre-formed grips are entirely wrong in size and shape for optimum use by the human hand. You can certainly do much better on your own.

Making your own grips isn't hard, but will require some practice. Most cork rings are sized 1-1/4 inch diameter which is plenty to start with. They're already round so you don't lose a lot of diameter as you would if you were turning square stock to round. Most likely, unless you have really huge hands, you can turn what you need from rings of this size.

RodMaker has also published a large assortment of full size handle and grip templates, with sizing considerations for different sized hands.

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As grips go, the Struble full wells is well shaped and larger in diameter than many preformed grips. I've modeled my turned grips from their pattern and haven't had any complaints yet. On my personal rods I've found the Fenwick, full wells and Gordon style grips fit me best.

The beauty of using rings is that you can always take more off until you get it right, so long as you start with rings with a large enough OD.

With a preformed grip, you have to find a grip that is at least as large in diameter as you need AND the ergonmomics may still be totally unsatisficatory.

Seems you are about to join the world of CUSTOM rod builders!

~Bert

Doing your own cork grip is the only way to go on most of my can dod I cut down to 1-4 inch rings then glue up on shaft which is easy on a bamboo fly rod chuck up in lathe and trune down for custom built rods I fit to the customers hand and typ of grip he wents when not doing on the rod just a dowel and put on the glued up rings and trun to when it fits you well and what you lik I use differnt color pigments added to my glue to add a old time grip color ti my 1/4 inch rings God Bless Jeff Rhonda and kaya net pup

Making your own grips is the natural progression from assembler to custom builder. Buy cheaper cork to start and practice with. Use the good stuff once you get the hang of it. You will neve use preformed grips again.

in making your own grips you will be amazed at how a grip only 1 or even 2mm bigger feels. most of the regular rings can be used, just care needs to be taken to not take off too much. another alternative is to use the strips and glue them up to make a turning square.

When you have mastered making your own cork grips wood may lure you iinto further experimenting. If so the addiction process may become too strong to reject.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

I just had ot chime in on John's 1mm/2mm comment.

I turned a number of grips 1/8" over thinking I could always take them down. After casting with them, I decided to take them down (each one differently) and indeed discovered that very little material can make a significant difference.

My caliper is in 1/64", so I am finding that 2/64 (.79 mm) or 4/64 aka 1/16 (1.58mm) can make all the difference in the world. I never woulda thought, but the proof is in hand. (pun intended)

Cheers,

Tony