Hi guys
What would you folks recomend as the source of the highest grade cork from the sponsors list. I need to put together grips no longer then 2.5 to 3 inches

Most all of the sponsors purchase their cork from 1 of about 3 main suppliers.

Ask for CG-1 grade. If they won't agree that their cork is representative of that grade (there is a scale behind it and you can find it on the library page) then go elsewhere. That's the top grade available.

Remember that if somebody tells you they have "flor" or "AAA," that sort of thing doesn't have any sort of scale behind it. Flor can be perfect and it can also be full of large pits and holes. There is no standard, text or photographic, behind any other cork scale other than the RodMaker scale (which is why some cork salesmen don't like it - they're held accountable for what they're selling).

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I have only found a few places that use the Rodmaker cork scale but would agree that it is the ONLY way to know beforehand what you're getting.
Anybody call tell you that they're sending you FLOR grade but what does that really mean? There is definition as to what FLOR grade actually is, is there? Some say it's the best. So what? The best they have or the best available? What is THE BEST? If they say "CG-1" you have a photograph of what it's supposed to look like to go by and will have recourse if it fails to measure up to that published standard.

I have had very good results with the cork from Anglers Workshop. Not saying that others don't have some just as good but in today's market the stuff I have gotten from AW is about as good as I've seen anywhere.

No matter what the source, they aren't going to just have it setting around. Your going to have to preorder and wait for them to fill your order, or get real lucky.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/27/2008 11:49AM by Spencer Phipps.

Are CG-1 corks natural and unbleached? I am very interested to know which sponsor here carries such corks. Most that are available are all bleached and faults covered.

Bleaching doesn't cover faults - it simply makes the cork whiter. Natural cork is an off-white, almost light tan.

Most all cork is bleached during processing to kill mold and bacteria. Some rings are then further bleached to make them whiter, but that doesn't last long once put into use.

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The above guys no infinately more than I do but I have found two of he sponsors on the left that offer a really high quality type of cork that I have never seen before if you like that sort of thing they seem almost white and have next to no defects in the surface. Batson and Jann's Netcraft have them. Hope it helps.
James

Stopped using cork rings..... simply too much variability and discrepancies in quality.

Use composite cork now.....floor tiling (adhesive free) and bulletin board cork. I cut rings using a 1 1/4" hole saw, then glue up the rings for my split grips. Cork looks better (has nice grain), takes Tru-Oil like a champ and comes out looking sweet as!

Ted,
How thick can you purchase the bulletin board cork?

Take care
Roger

Hey Roger,

The bulletin board stuff I purchase locally in Townsville, Oz, is 4 mm thick. The floor tiles, same cork, is 6 mmm thick. A good deep hole saw cuts 4-6 rings quickly and easily without friction and burning. I stack the sheets 5 high, clamp together, then go to town on the drill press. Sheets are 30 cm x 30 cm, and come 12 sheets to a pack for the bulletin board stuff. Floor tiling comes in larger packs.

Do the floor tiles have finish on one side?
I would think that if they do, it could cause a glue up some issues.

Take care
Roger

Wanted...CG-1 grade cork,,,please ship me all you have at a resonable price.....think about it.

NERB that types with a bar of Ivory soap in his mouth.

Roger, you can get them primed or raw. The primed ones have the adhesive on them, and you have to sand that off before you glue it up, as it really messes with epoxy. They are not finished per se (like gloss finish) until they are laid on the floors, then they get a urethane finish that really darkens it up, highlights the grain and takes a polish well too. Been meaning to try and blag some next time I buy, but for now I have a fair bit of Tru-Oil and it serves me well.

Only thing with this cork is it takes a while to glue up longer grips, having to use thin rings. They also make great accent rings too.

Michael,

What is a reasonable price? Some would say $1 a ring. Others would say (and pay) $3+ per ring. Depends on what you're using it for and what you're willing to pay for the best available cork.

What I have seen lately in CG-1 is nearly $2.50 to $3 per ring. It's nice, but you pay the price.

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Thanks all for your replies. I played with some of mudholes $2+ rings and found them to be good enough for what I was looking for.

Rohit, e-mail on it's way.