I was given a rod to fix that had a chewed up cork forward grip.Other than taking off all the guides to replace the grip,I tried slicing a new cork forgrip and slipping it over the rod blank where the old grip was removed.I glued the grip to the blank but now I have a seam to deal with.Should I put cork dust in the seam and how do I glue the dust without making it look too obvious?

Is this a one or two piece rod? If it is a two pc, I would have removed the guides, built the foregrip the way it should be done, shaped it on the rod, and re-wraped the guides. I probably would have done it this way if it was a one piece as well.

We covered this type repair in a recent issue of RodMaker. Properly sized and installed over an arbor type portion of the former grip, the seam should be so slight that it will hardly show once used a time or two.

Now if it wasn't sized correctly and you have a gap to fill, you'll have to do your best to fill it with something. If it's very narrow, you might get by with no more than wood putty. If wider, you may have to mix in with cork dust and then sand.

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Tom is correct re "if done right.

Did you use hose clamps over plastic wrap while epoxy curing?

Actually, after turning you should see no seam at all.

If pre made grip you might see seam even with clamps because of slight deformation. Do it over with cork rings glued together. Then split it two. Then re glue using clamps. Then turn down to size.
If one piece rod and you decide to do repair as I suggest then contact me and I will fill you in on how to turn rod from butt.
Herb

Peter,
I used to try to make do, by slicing the grip and regluing. But I was never ever happy with the result.

So, now, if I need to do such a job, I just cut off the guides, replace the cork and rewrap the guides and recoat them.

It should only take an hour or so to cut off the guides, replace the grip, retie the guides and recoat.

Be safe

Another very simple option is to cut off the front grip. clean up the blank and then just do a wrap in the area of the former grip.

More and more rods today, no longer use a front grip. For may rods, there is little reason for the grip.

Be safe