What are the pros and cons on using this type of cork?
Thanks for the help
Paul

Paul@soonercustomrod.com

Pros: Feels great, good grip, nearly indestructable

Cons: Much heavier than natural cork, harder to shape & ream.

I prefer them as trim rings or as end pieces of grips where there would normally be a lot of wear.

Steve

I use them also for trim rings and for the butt end of the rod like the St.Croix handles. The only problem is like stated above, they are harder to shape, and when put together with natural cork rings the natural rings shape down faster. I love the look of them.

Steve Bro
(BroCo Custom Rods)

Paul,
If you want a grip that wears like iron, and weighs a ton - go for rubberized cork.

Actually many trolling rods are made of this material since it is so tough.
Once you learn to work with it, it makes a great grip.

If you use it as a trim ring (which I often do, as well as use it for a butt ring), be sure to use a backing board on sand paper when sanding.

If you have these rings next to conventional cork which is much softer, the unbacked sandpaper will quickly wear away the regular cork and leave the rubberized cork untouched.

So, use the plywood backing board when sanding a grip that contains any rubberized cork so that you can maintain the shape of the handle.

Take care
Roger

If you are doing a split grip with a long rod blank, like 66-7-8 footer, the extra weight will help to balance the longer rod. Split grips are lighter, less materials, so the heaver cork tends to help.

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks all i appreciate the informaton i get on this board.
Paul

Paul@soonercustomrod.com

Paul,

Bills mention about the weight of the rings, is one of the reasons that I like to use rubberized rings for butt grips.
The extra weight of the ring helps to balance the rod.

Take care
Roger

There is also the exotic cork that is more forgiving to sand.

Bill - willierods.com

I keep a bunch of the solid discs (not the rings with the hole in the center) on hand. I use them as a butt cap when I make a burl cork handle. It is close in color and in look and wears like iron.