I favor whole cork (or whatever the term is) so I never tried composite cork. However, I figure I'd like to try some composite cork for the final ring at the end of the butt for durability the the rod is set down on the ground. I need this to be without a hole.

Quick questions:
1. Are composite cork indeed much more durable to abrasion?
2.Do they differ in durability or are they all about the same?
3. What do you like that looks more 'distinctive' for end of group use without a hole?

Thanks,
Mo

Mo the composite butt caps I have used are very durable, much more durable than regular cork. What I have used has been the rubberized butt caps. Mud Hole sells them as do most of the vendors.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

Thanks. I'm looking for the rings that I can glue to the regular cork and then turn for a custom shape. Don't think I can turn the rubber butt caps right?

Thanks,
Mo

this is what i do, right or wrong, it works for me. I also use the rubberized cork rings that mudhole sells. I glue up my grip, then sand to shape, seal etc and ream to fit blank, then install as normal, but i push the grip down over the end of the blank 1/2 inch. I then take on of the rubberized rings without a hole and use either an old pistol cartridge case or gasket punch and punch myself a plug that is slighly larger than the hole in my grip. Put a slight taper on the plug and epoxy it in. If you make it a good snug fit all it requires is a very minimal hand sanding to make an almost invisible plug.

I have used the rubberized composite cork rings without a hole from Mud Hole for my butt ring and they seem to be holding up quite well. I did not have any problems with gluing/sanding the rings and I used TruOil for the finish.

Mo,
The rubberized cork is much tougher and heavier than ordinary cork.
However, depending on the cork, the burled cork may be more, equal or less tough than ordinary cork. This is because of the composition of burled cork compared to rubberized cork.
'Burled cork is composed of cork chunks and glue as opposed to rubberized cork, which is more in the form of cork dust and glue.

In any event, the rubberized cork is a very tough piece of material.

Take care
Roger

p.s.
I like to use burled cork for other parts of the handle, for accent - just not for the butt cap.

Mo, Mud Hole sells the rubberized cork rings with no hole. Listed under Cork Rings.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

Thanks anyone. So 'rubberized cork' is apparently different from 'burled cork'. I'll check them out.

Thanks,
Mo

Rubberized cork is the most durable "cork" product. Here's a photo of a set of grips made completely with composites ... burnt composite, mixed composite AND rubberized cork.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

You can see the rubberized cork at the end of the butt grip. It was done with a 1/2" ring WITH the center hole. I turn the entire assembly, fit to the blank, remove and finish with polyurethane, glue into position and THEN fill the hole in the base with a matching piece of rubberized cork.

I buy these rings for the last piece ... [www.mudhole.com]

I actually whittle a small plug out of another rubberized ring to fill the hole. Once you have a half decent fit, stuff it into the hole with Flexcoat 5-minute epoxy. It should actually stick out on the end. Let it dry, then trim and sand flush with a nail file. After you do a few, it becomes very easy AND difficult to really tell how it was done.

Jim -

Bob at Custom Tackle has some plugs for the hole. They work great - I used to carve out my own, but using one of the plugs is a lot quicker.

You can also not even worry about the hole. I mean after the handle is done, take a ring of your end cap and with a rasp scrap it and collect the dust, mix the dust with 5 min, regular rod bond or the like, fill up the hole , after dry sand and coat with - I like permagloss.

Bill - willierods.com

Mud Hole sells the rubberized "butt plug" for the 1/4" hole. I use 'em and it makes it easy.