I am replacing the grips on one of my older rods. I put the rear grip by slipping it on the blank from the bottom of the rod. I used my usual Rod Bond and after placing the grip wonder if it scraped too much of the rod bond off? I "buttered" the blank only since I did not want to have epoxy cover the entire handle area of the rod. The fit was "snug".

As long as the grip is not loose, you should be fine. Keep in mind that this is the rear grip. If it was the fore grip, you might have an issue. Also the grip will be held in place by the reel seat and butt cap. Therefore, you only need enough epoxy to prevent it from spinning.

If I instal a loose fitting Hypalon grip I will wrap electrical tape around it TIGHT. I assume the same whould work for EVA, just note you will have to sand it when you remove the tape because you'll probably deform the EVA a bit. Obviously I do this whil the adhesive is still "Wet"

Thanks guys. By the way Billy they are grips I got from you at the show in NC a couple of years ago!
BT

Hi Bill.
Another fix for tight grips that push the adhesive down the blank is to coat both the blank and the inside of the grip with adhesive. Stop when you are about two inches short, lift the end of the grip and push the adhesive under the grip. Slide the grip into place then do the same at the other end. I use a plastic tupperware orange peeler to do this and have been doing it for a long time with no problems.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

FWIW, in case it makes you feel better and all that.....I know guys in the past that put the eva grips on with no adhesive, just windex. Once the grip is frimly in place it is hard to move even without any adhesive.

As long as you don't feel "soft spots" I wouldn't worry about it. As said above, between the reel seat and the butt cap it isn't going anywhere.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Bill, are ther einlays in the grips? If so you don't wnt to stretch them or the seams might open up.

Billy, yes they are black with orange and white trim bands. I buttered the inside of the bottom grip and it went on easily. I was careful not to twist too much and had no problem at all. The front grip was a little more difficult as I did not want to put Rod Bond inside the grip before installing. I simply buttered a couple of inches below where the bottom would be and again no problem at all. I recessed it a bit into the reel seat and I don't think it will move at all. I really like these and will use them some more, probably become my standard! Easy to shape, easy to fit, look great and should last forever, what else do you need? Thank for you help guys!

Bill,

Would love to see some pictures.

Steve Hartzell
Lake Conroe - Willis, Texas

Bill, was it the one on the bottom in this photo? [www.rodbuilding.org]

No these were all just "bands" around the center of the grip, orange, white, orange maybe 1/16 inch each. I will try and post a picture when I get the bottom rubberized ring installed and trimmed.