For year's folks have been seeking a suitable replacement for cork. Not something that serves the same function - there are many good substitutes along those lines. But rather something that looks, feels, weighs and looks like cork.

Today I was excited to receive 3 grips made from a new material that does, in fact, look, feel and weigh what cork does. The resiliency is almost identical. No, it's not urethane foam, nor standard EVA nor anything else that rod builders are used to. The only difference in appearance is that it's formed from a single turning block and thus there are no rings nor assembly/glue lines such as you have with most cork grips. According to the manufacturer, the major difference is that it's more durable and longer wearing than cork. And, it won't attract and hold dirt, grime and slime the way cork does. The manufacturer also states that it's actually lighter than cork. My own weight measurements didn't confirm that, but it's certainly no heavier.

For now, it will be available in preformed grips. Eventually, I'm hoping it will be available in squares for "turn your own" handles and grips. I'm not going to mention who makes it or where it will soon be available as I was asked not to. That will come soon enough.

Will it be accepted as a common substitute for cork? What about on higher end premium type fly rods? Well, in time it just might. It's really pretty darn good and the closest substitute to cork I've seen in over 30 years of building rods. Still, it will no doubt be an uphill battle - cork is held in high esteem by many anglers so only time will tell if this stuff will be able to make any real dent in cork's dominance.


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I'll take a few squares to try :-) ....if they decide to create them. If not, then the product likely wont be much to many builders.

The handle area is the biggest noticeable part of the rod that can be changed and made our own. I don't care a lot for preformed anything concerning grips. Lets hope they come to the darkside and offer it in block form.

DR

I agree, but even among custom rod builders pre-formed grips outsell custom made grips by 100 to 1. Always have and always will. It'll all depend if the manufacturer decides to get into that area of the market or not.

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Wouldnt it be easier for them to sell a block of it instead of a pre-formed grip?? Wondering what it is.......you know this is torture right?

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

Tom do you think you would be able to repai it like I do cork ?

Good Wraps Bob

Sorry about that last post. It should have read. Tom do you think it can be repaired? Like I do my cork system .

Good Wraps Bob

They will go after the OEM market first due to it's much, much larger size.

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Tom, this is vey interesting to me, as you know I have my own substitute in arbor vitae wood. I'm sorry this wood is not available for commercial distribution as I have wieghed it in comparison to cork and it is slightly heavier. The good news for me is I have a large supply of it due to the trees growing on my place. I look forward to this new development. Most of my grips are now wood but I'm not shutting my eyes to any new development.