Does such a thing exist? I dont want to use EVA, not a huge fan of it. I much prefer the feel of Super Grade cork. I'm going to be doing a Pirate themed rod with black and white wraps and a custom painted Abu Revo Toro reel in black and white. I'm not sure how cork would look with this. So far the plan is to use Batsons Supergrade "High end" split grips. Suggestions?

Pirates like leather. Consider doing a wrapped grip. It would look very cool IMO. You could probably find some with decorative inlay OR you could stamp it, etc.

black and white cord grips -- X flock shrink tubing -- black and white leather do they make white

Bill - willierods.com

You could also go with a stacked leather grip - very old school.
Here is a tutorial.
[www.britishblades.com]

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2011 02:59PM by rick sodke.

Wow that stacked grip is very interesting. I will be trying to keep the weight down on this rod though. This will be my personal Musky Fishing rod and I'll be throwing 1-6oz swimbaits and Bucktails all day with it. Lighter is better, especially with a 10oz reel already. Leather might get heavy... I've never done a cord grip before, could be interesting. Thanks for the ideas so far!

Here this may be interesting --[www.knifekits.com]

Bill - willierods.com

There is an article on making stacked leather grips in the last issue of RodMaker.

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

Black carbon skin over foam.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Think you got enough ideas ? just wait there will be more LOL

There is also a way to weave cord - [www.rodbuilding.org]

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2011 04:19PM by bill boettcher.

The simple answer is, there is no black cork! There is "burnt cork" which has some black in it but more of a very dark brown. Black carbon fiber could be your best option as mentioned above.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2011 10:05PM by Phil Erickson.

If you're looking for black cork, try Bangorcork.com. When the home page comes up, click on cork rolls and sheets and scroll down to Bancork EZ Clean cork and small cuts. It's available in 12 different colors. Just be warned that there is a woven fiberglass (I think) backing on these squares because they are cork flooring. After cutting my rings with a holesaw, I hold the pieces up against a 1" belt sander and sand it off. I just made a handle out of light blue cork for a young girl at rehab. Turned out just fine.

Mac

[www.mudhole.com]

If you want to make the burnt cork darker - (black), just use black shoe polish.

This cork accepts the polish nicely and you end up with the color that you want.

Roger

[www.mudhole.com]

Try burnt (very dark) Burl. Use a thin clear glue and the glue lines virtually disappear. Looks like worn leather to me.

I've never done it, but wouldn't a black wood stain work? Minwax makes ebony stain that is virtually black.

Cork won't accept stain.

Rufus
Port Saint Lucie, FL

Russ,
With natural cork that is generally true. But I have found that with either the rubberized, or burnt cork, it seems to accept stain rather well. I suspect that both rubberized and burnt cork is made of cork bits or grindings, rather than pure cork.

Give it a try and see how it goes.

Roger

Not to be a Kill Joy but i think the leather of any sort will be real Classy IMHO

Bill - willierods.com

Is Syncork still out there and available at Thorne bros? Might fit the bill...