which one do you all prefer and why. I like cork because of the feel and i have not found a way to clean foam. If you get fish slime or bait on it it never comes off.

Cork is to fishing rod grips as leather is to cowboy boots.

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

Hi Paul,
Cork looks and feels better IMO.
EVA is cheaper, easier and quicker for a build.
You can and should clean EVA grips on a regular basis according to the amount of use. Get the grips wet, add some liquid soap to a nail brush and go to town then rinse. You'll be suprised at the crud that comes out of them if they haven't been cleaned in a while.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Very well stated John ! But I guess we will hear from the "plastic boot" advocates soon.

Cork 70s EVA 90s carbon fibre 2000s now my customers are asking for skeleton seats with no grips at all. I think its an age thing easiest way is to offer the lot and let them choose. Personally I like EVA.

Cheers

Mark Newcombe
Old Bar NSW
Australia
markscustomfishing.com
American Tackle Pro-Staff

I like the carbon's personally. I am just not too much of a fan of the time required to make them but in the end it is worth it.

depends on the build...trout/puppy drum/inshore rods-cork....surf rods/fighting rods- foam or composite material w/shrink wrap over...bass rods-none...offshore-hypalon and slick butts....i like to stick to a basic set up for that type of build so my customers know what they are getting,tho i'll build it any way the customers wants cause they are always right

www.southriverrodsllc.com

Chris, am I seeing that you do not use grips on bass rods? If that is the case I would love to see some samples.....

I have never had an issue with getting Eva clean. I always clean after every trip, and if offshore, they likely get cleaned on the way in.

Paul,
Any time you want to clean a rod - blank, grip, or guides, simply pick up some Simple Green Cleaner, spray it down and use a tooth brush to scrub off the dirt.
I generally do it in the laundry tub, so that you can use the sink to rinse off the rod while cleaning. Simply reapply as necessary until the rod and grip is just like new

[www.simplegreen.com]

Roger

I own a rod with EVA on it in years. I use goop hand cleaner works real well on cork.k

I have no personal experience with EVA, but have been told by an expert that if it is finished properly it cleans up easily. Even in white:)

I like cork. You couldn't give me a rod made with foam, I'd give it right back. No actually, I might destroy it. For me cork, or wood in some cases, is the ideal material for rod handles. Case closed.

I do find it a little ironic that we want sensitivity in our rods yet cork is typically used to deaden sound/vibration.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

I have been thinking of this for a while And was wondering what eva would look like covered with a clear
I notice that when finish gets near it it tends to soak it up
Since a lot are using wood and even clear coating cork -- why not

I was going to try a cork grip with eva strips glued into it with contact sement Then after sanding A good coat of Finish let dry sand And then maybe several more coats till it is flat

Bill - willierods.com