Can anyone here advise which dealers or sponsors grade their cork by the Rodmaker cork grade scale? I am through buying cork with terms like flor or AAA. Please advise. Thanks.

As I'm only familiar with grading that uses Flor, AAA , A& better, etc, I'd like to ask what the Rodmaker grading system is.

Forgive me, but I started building rods over 20 years ago and it's been a while since I've purchased any cork. I'd bought a closeout of grips and AA rings some time ago and haven't needed any. Heck, I still have some glued up cork sticks I bought from Clemens.
So, what's the scoop?

Mark Tobiasz Wrote:
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> As I'm only familiar with grading that uses Flor,
> AAA , A& better, etc, I'd like to ask what the
> Rodmaker grading system is.
>
> Forgive me, but I started building rods over 20
> years ago and it's been a while since I've
> purchased any cork. I'd bought a closeout of grips
> and AA rings some time ago and haven't needed any.
> Heck, I still have some glued up cork sticks I
> bought from Clemens.
> So, what's the scoop?


[www.rodbuilding.org]

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Super Tight Lines......Don

Neither "flor" nor "AAA" represent anything in particular. Either can be good, or terrible, and still be correct. The RodMaker cork grade scale is the only cork grade scale with a representative scale behind it.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

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

Have any cork dealers begun conforming to this system yet? I for one would make a point of patronizing such a dealer. More than once I have had the experience of ordering cork listed as the highest grade for that dealer - sometimes Flor, sometimes several As - only to have it arrive and be highly disappointed in the quality.

Mark,
Simply put, if you are unsure of a vendor or cork quality, buy a few rings and ask the supplier for "true" representative samples of the lot type.
Most vendors will honor your request.

Then, if you order a few hundred or few thousand rings, you will not be surprised.

The other thing to consider in these days of lower and lower grades of cork due to the world wide diminishing supply, consider building rods with materials other than cork.

This is the primary reason why many many rod manufacturers are either going to grips that use almost no cork, like a rod with a split grip that uses 4 rings behind the reel seat, no fore grip and a butt cap of a different material.

Lots of other manufacturers are going to composite, plastic, fiberglass or foam grips as well.

Be safe

Hi Mark,
Far as I know nobody has adopted the Rodmaker scale which is definitely a shame.
Even Cork4U, sponsor, still uses the old scale. Their best grade is top flor which is about the best you will find these days.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

I think Bingham uses the Rodmaker scale. At least it was shown on their website for the cork they sell.

Bingham and Picky Bastard were both using the RodMaker scale. Unfortunately, neither got enough support to continue sales. People were too willing to risk direct importation OR didn't want to pay for the domestic service (importation, grading, etc.). The only current option is to take your chances UNLESS you can find a vendor that is willing to give you a guaranteed return policy, including paid/shared shipping expense. I do recommend that you start/continue to encourage vendors to adopt the RodMaker Cork Grading System, it works very well and it removes nearly all subjective opinion from the sales/purchasing aspect.

I( pretty much quit buying cork a few years ago due to the high cost/low quality and lack of any standard consistency. I use wood, burl or exotic cork and people love it and I know exactly what I'm getting when I order it

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Mike,
Out of curiosity, in the interest of saving weight, have you ever made a handle of Balsa Wood?

I found that Cork4Us FLOR grade is very good CG3 and maybe CG2. If their Top FLOR is better, it would be really good cork.

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane