Lately I've been seeing more and more cork grips which appear to have either shrunk or just deteriorated.
Most are on factory rods but a few were custom builds. The minor damage cases appear as if the individual rings have shrunk or narrowed and pulled away from the adjacent ring. The cork often still looks fine, not gray or weathered, just shrunk or retracted away from the reel seat or other rings. I have many very old rods of my own which look as good as new after many years but I've been wondering what is the cause of this?
Cheap cork? Poor gluing practices? I've built many rods with cork handles over the years and have never had this happen to one of my builds, but lately I see more and more like this. The latest is a rod that is likely less than a year old and in the $150+ range from Shimano. The rings have 3/16" gaps between them and the problem is worse closer to the reel seat. It belongs to a gentlemen who doesn't abuse his tackle either, and hasn't had any problems with any of the rods I've built for him.

I'm wondering if its the cork that's shrinking or contracting or if the glue that was used is releasing over time or after getting wet.
The ring shows no gaps where it's glued to the blank, the gap tapers as it gets deeper towards the blank. Most damage is also worse on the underside of the rod, not the top for some reason.

if i were to guess what happened i would say that they used too much filler and it is gone as well as poor gluing methods or glue. it is hard to say without seeing it.

In the present day anything is possible!

Click on the following link -

[www.rodbuilding.org]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/13/2010 01:00PM by Bill Stevens.

Bill,
I have used a few of these handles for ice rods. It is a way to get a decent appearing handle for a relatively low price since there is only a thin layer or veneer of cork on the foam handle. You get what you pay for, but for some rods, it is a good compromise between appearance and cost.

Bill,
I have used a few of these handles for ice rods. It is a way to get a decent appearing handle for a relatively low price since there is only a thin layer or veneer of cork on the foam handle. You get what you pay for, but for some rods, it is a good compromise between appearance and cost.