I just obtained a rod I love. But I am not happy with the grip. It is a cigar cork grip I think. You know....tapers down to the rod on the rod end of the grip. It is not only a shape I do not like.....it is undersized. It must have been built for a pretty small handed person, as I do not have large hands by any means. My friend cast it and it was small enough to make his hand hurt. He didn't want to continue casting it.

I like Tennessee Hndls shaped grips. Or....an even cylnder....same diameter end to end with a slight rise at each end to keep slip rings from falling off. Well, this has a reel seat....so no worries about sliip rings falling off. But I do not like the grip.

I have never used or even seen "cork tape" . I don't know if after wrapping it on it blends together like cookie dough.....or if you end up with a segmented look like a tennis racket handle. I don't really care about the look...it is....does the cork tape blend together or is it a strapping material that will end up as individual wraps on the grip.I am thinking about ordering some cork tape. Just have never seen it....or it's results.

Any help would be appreciated.

I assume this is a spinning rod. If so, I'd pop the rod into a lathe and turn the current grip down to a straight cylinder, almost to the rod blank. Then I'd install a grip size and shape that you like, boring it to fit over what's left of the current grip.

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Thanks Tom but it's a fly rod. I suppose I could remove the grip and splice on a new one. I just thought cork tape would be easier. But I live in a small town far from a metro area. I have never laid eyes on the cork tape.

Thanks Tom for reading my question and answering.

Jim,
email me your shipping address. I will send you a few feet for you to try.

"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble.It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." Mark Twain
John in Wethersfield, CT

I don't think you're going to like the cork tape on a shaped grip. It's meant more for straight non-tapered use. Remove the butt guide and do as I suggested above and I think you'll be much happier.

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most fly rods are multi piece. that means you will likely only have to replace a couple of guides. depending on the reel seat used. remove the couple of guides on the butt section and remove handle or shape down like tom suggested. then "oversleeve a new grip in the shape you want. put the stipper guides back on and you should be good. the only problem i see is the reel seat if it is inletted. overall it shouldnt be a tough fix, just put some thought into it and you should be able to make it fit for you
good luck and let us know how you decide to fix it/

Thanks to both Johns and Tom. I have some free cork tape coming in the mail. Will check it out. Great point on the reel seat being inletted. Number of guides to remove...? 2 piece rod out in the camper. I go take a look at the reel seat and guides. John gracious enough to send me some cork tape to play with. I'm quite a rookie who has read a lot more than he has done. So, short on practical experience. Guess this is how you get the experience. I need to change the butt section guide set up anyway. So....it all sounds good. My arms a little short and most fly rods the first stripper guide too far away for me. If I remodel the butt section it should come out just right for me.

Thank you guys for the help and taking the time to type and post suggestions. Since I AM such a rookie any advice is greatly appreciated. I know just enough to understand what you are suggesting and can do it. But the brain didn't think of these things.

Thanks again for the help. I think I know what to do now. That is part of what this great board is about. GREAT INFORMATION
(and great members)

Thank you all
Seriously & Sincerely