Hey everyone,
Im wondering what are peoples thoughts on full handle grips vs. split handle grip, especially for longer rods.

If you don't use a rod holder a split is good on either spinning or casting tube type of holders work well with either Jmo

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I like the feel and looks of split grips and they're lighter.

I always HATED split grips until I started building. I don't get so involved with this hobby as to start making my own grips. Building rods with split grips gives you a lot more flexibility in your grip design using ready made components. This is especially true if you, like me, need a longer rear grip (tall fisherman, long rod or both) but don't want a fat 1.1" piece of cork back there that costs you 25$. Split grips also add opportunities for custom touches that a full grip won't allow, so you can have a little fun with that space between the butt and the reel seat or just buy a couple cheap winding checks and call it a day.

The trend is toward split grips but I'm a little old school, I like full cork. I asked one of the owners of St Croix rods what the appeal was for split grips and we discussed weight and application.

Long rods, heavy weights, there is an argument for a split grips - but for small lighter rods, the weight factor is a little weak, IMO. He said that they weighed the difference and split grips are only a few grams lighter, on average, than full cork. Now we're talking the small lightweight spinning and jigging rods, small cork handles, etc.

I'm going to build a few split grips for my 7' bass rods and a guy wants me to build him a winn split grip as well. Who knows, maybe I'll like the splits for the longer rods.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/2018 08:44AM by Rod Siemens.

Don't forget cost, 10 rings of quality cork equals $25.00, 20 rings equals $50.00.

Even though cork is expensive, I still prefer the use of a full cork grip.

On heavier duty stuff like catfish, Alabama rig, swimbait and musky along with trilling rod I prefer full length grips regardless of material on most everything else I go split grip ( mostly bass as that is 99% of what I build)

Roger and Thomas, please explain why you prefer what you prefer.

Pretty simple,
When handling a rod, casting and reeling in, I like to have only cork under my hand and within reach of my hand.

Often, I will be doing 2-handed casting. In case you haven't tried two handed casting, give it a try, even with a bass or a short rod. You will find that you can vastly increase the tip speed of your rod as well as increase the resulting casting distance.

Also, after a long time on the water, I will want a change and I like to move my hand down the rod for a change. With a full grip, there is still a grip to hold.

Also, from time to time, I will use a rod holder for my rod.

With a full grip - no issue with a rod holder.

With a split grip - depending on the rod holder, it may be a big issue. At the very least, the non grip part of the rod butt can end up rubbing against the rod holder.

Good luck

Full length grip vs split grip is personal choice. Another thing that makes a custom rod custom.
Norm

Trolling rods are generally in rod holders, not the best recipe for split grips. Many documented failures of split grip rods in holders. See past posts of Bill Stevens . For the others I like to tuck the longer handle under my arm and simply prefer the way it feels. Many cat rods are in holders as the trolling rods. Cat guys are very rough on equipment and the exposed blank crashing around in a holder is only inviting a problem.

For most of my bass builds I try to make them as absolutely light as I can for the most efficient rod I can build. For some flip, punch rods and some heavy cover pitch rods it’s a toss up between the two.

These are my preferred methods and reasons. Some like and some don’t but as been mentioned it is up to the end user and it is another reason for customs.

Roger and Thomas , thanks for the info. Roger, yes, I cast with two hands all the time, but feel no preference between the two styles while casting. I don't mind the smooth smaller diameter of the split grip when I contact it. I seldom use rod-holders, so that doesn't influence my decision. I prefer split grip for cost, styling, and that it offers another area on the blank for info/decals. Since the really small mass increase of the added cork on a full grip is where it is, it is insignificant in my opinion. thanks again.

Im my experience fishing with store bought rods, ive found that split grips are more sensitive, alteast they seem that way to me.. I dont want this to start the age old argument, but i think the more you add material to a blank, the more sensitivity is lost.. The resonance of a strike, of tapping bottom, or rocks, etc. Is lost a little in material.. An extreme example of what im talking about is take a row boat for instance... You feel all the little waves while on the water.. You cant feel nearly as much if your on say, a cruise ship.. (Bad example i know) i have only built 1 rod. And am about to coat the threads on my second.. Both are splits, with that in mind, split grips make is a bit harder to balance your rod, unless your looking for a fairly long handle.. You can add weight to the end of the blank for counterbalance, but the defeats the purpose making a rod as light as you can, and goes right back to adding more materials.. It is nice to have the rear area for more decorative wraps as well..

I prefer splits over full.. Both have they're downfalls and advantages though.. I would build to whatever your application calls for..

If your going to be building a rod that doesnt have alot of fancy stuff going on, i feel a split grip gives the rod a more skilled appearance as they look harder to do from someone who doesnt realize how easy they are.. But then again, when you go full custom on cork, like checkerboards and stuff...

Rods should be as functional as they are aesthetically pleasing in my opinion.

It's all about personal preference. For me, I like a full cork grip on my crankbait rods. On a spinning rod for finesse fishing though, I like the split grips solely because this gives me the ability to balance the rod to minimize hand fatigue. I will fit the split grip, reel seat, reel and guides (taped on) and find where my reel seat should be to give me a balanced rod. When drop shotting or shakey head fishing all day, this makes a difference for me. That's my $.02.