I've been searching for cork rings at a reasonable price, and I keep ending up with a price of about $1 per inch.

Only problem is, for the price of 10" of rings, I can buy 13" of beautiful straight handle, and then turn it down to my specifications without ever having to glue it up.

For standard handles, why would I want to pay more money to give myself extra work? (I understand if one is doing alternate colors or some other decorative type of work)

I get the feeling that I am missing something. Am I?

Thanks.

TH

Tony,
Not sure, the straight handle may be turned to a diameter that may not accomodate further turning for shaping to fit without getting much smaller than you would want.
Gluing up rings from scratch gives the start on shaping to fit the way you want leaving high areas where you want. The preshaped grip may not give this option.
But, if the straigh preshaped grip is suitable for sizing, there is no reason you can't do what you are suggesting if the cork quality is to your liking and the diameter is suitable.

Rich
Richard's Rod & Reel

A lot of guys want to know that the rings have been glued properly and with a good adhesive. The only way they can be sure is by doing it themselves. It's also hard to find preformed grips that are made from the same quality cork you buy, if you want the best.

You mention a cost of $1 per inch. I'd say with the better cork your cost would be $2 per inch since the better rings are $1 or more a pop per 1/2 half inch.

If what you're using now suits you, then I can't see any reason why you'd want to turn your own. If you're getting the results you desire and eliminating some of the work then you're already where you want to be.

................

The "beautiful" handles I have seen are chocked full of some kind of filler to make them photograph well. Turn them a little and they don't look so good.

I like to build from the rings directly on to the blank. I would (and I guess do) pay extra for just the rings to be able to do it that way. Just don't like reaming a long grip and then dealing with the areas that don't fit.

what you might be missing is the feel of a solid handle that is in contact with the blank all the way up and is concentric with the rod shaft.

Thank you for the informative feedback.

If the premium cork rings are of a higher quality, that fully explains the difference in cost.

I am happy with what I have been using, but since I completed my rod lathe, I've been looking for MORE cork to turn. I like this stuff! New-toy excitement, no doubt.

Now I'm looking forward to doing a handle from start to finish. Thanks again for the help you guys always provide.

TH

If what you want is another hobby, turning can as addicting as rod building. And once you start inlaying burl and burnt or colored cork, well.........

I'd say we're looking at a man that will soon be turning all his own grips from scratch.

............

Oh boy... I want to argue, but the little voice in the back of my head is telling me to smile and keep nodding.

:-)

TH

I bought one of those "beautiful" fly rod grips last year. It cost about $20 or so. When I turned it down to the size I needed, it ceased being beautiful. I was very dissappointed.

I prefer to build my grips up from rings for several reasons, as mentioned by others. Namely, I can get a good fit between the ring and the blank, and I can see what is inside the rings and select them accordingly.

I have been using the rings sold by Cabela's for many years. They are currently priced at $15.99 for a bag of 25 rings (1 1/8" diameter). There are higher grade rings available, but the cost starts to get ridiculous. I find that by using these rings and using a little bit of careful selection, good sanding and filling, I get a result that is superior to what the high end rod companies are putting on their $500-$600 fly rods.

An option for keeping the costs down and getting a special looking grip - would be to get some tightly confirugred burl cork rings (50 cents each) and then with a home made cork jig (1 1/4" pvc) cut some diamonds or even 1/4" small circles (hobby shop brass tube filed sharp with a dremel tool) out of come nice cork - get 2 diamonds each or 4-6 cricles. Glue it up, work it to shape. Makes a distinctive look.

Good luck
zach