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Highest Quality Cork Handles?
Posted by:
Denham Bruce
(---.hsd1.wa.comcast.net)
Date: December 29, 2018 06:10PM
Wondering who sells the best cork handles around 14" for a steelhead rod. I have used the Batson handles and while the quality is good in the super grade handles it is still far more expensive than the super grade handles I see on Mudhole. So I guess I'm wondering if the handles of Mudhole are of very high quality as well.
I have always thought Loomis had the nicest handles like on their old IMXs, so I guess thats the kind of cork I'm looking for. Thanks! Re: Highest Quality Cork Handles?
Posted by:
Herb Ladenheim
(---.lightspeed.rcsntx.sbcglobal.net)
Date: December 29, 2018 07:24PM
Unless you buy the best cork rings you can get - you will get inferior stuff with filler.
You can't buy cork as good as it was in "the day". It doesn't exist. Herb Re: Highest Quality Cork Handles?
Posted by:
Tom Kirkman
(Moderator)
Date: December 29, 2018 07:33PM
Really, really, really great cork is available at the Expo each year. And each year, vendors end up carrying most of it back home. There was cork there last year that was as close to perfect as I have seen in 40 years of doing this. And it was less than $2 per ring.
............ Re: Highest Quality Cork Handles?
Posted by:
Denham Bruce
(---.hsd1.wa.comcast.net)
Date: December 29, 2018 07:49PM
Well sadly I'm a long ways from making my own handles... So thats pretty rough!
I must say tho the super grade cork from Batson is as good as I could ever want, I was just wondering if there was anything else comparable. Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/29/2018 07:50PM by Denham Bruce. Re: Highest Quality Cork Handles?
Posted by:
Spencer Phipps
(---.hsd1.or.comcast.net)
Date: December 29, 2018 09:54PM
Angler's Workshop used to have cork grips of good quality made in Portugal, even used to go over and select their stock. This also let them make cork in sizes you don't always see, they have both longer and larger diameter pre-formed grips. Re: Highest Quality Cork Handles?
Posted by:
Lynn Behler
(---.97.252.156.res-cmts.leh.ptd.net)
Date: December 30, 2018 03:08PM
At 55.00 list (Utmost) for a Batson grip, or Spencer's suggestion (somewhat less it would appear), or Get Bit, vs $2 a ring and you have to make it, You make the call. Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2018 03:49PM by Lynn Behler. Re: Highest Quality Cork Handles?
Posted by:
Phil Erickson
(---.dsl.pltn13.sbcglobal.net)
Date: December 30, 2018 08:07PM
At $2.00 a ring a 14" grip has $56.00 in cork before you even start. Re: Highest Quality Cork Handles?
Posted by:
Paul Luechtefeld
(---.mobile.att.net)
Date: January 01, 2019 07:19PM
I love making my own cork handles and grips it's one of the most enjoyable things in rod building. I order my cork from cork4us but since it comes from Portugal I ordered a large quantity and haven't ordered any for about 4 years. I only build about 5 rods a year. The quality is fantastic and the price was reasonable even with shipping I am going to order some more this year. Re: Highest Quality Cork Handles?
Posted by:
Lynn Behler
(---.97.252.156.res-cmts.leh.ptd.net)
Date: January 01, 2019 09:21PM
Paul, where do you learn what their prices are? Rather unique website. Re: Highest Quality Cork Handles?
Posted by:
Michael Danek
(---.alma.mi.frontiernet.net)
Date: January 01, 2019 10:13PM
While the pre-made handles look great at a distance, if you look closely you'll find that they are filled. At least that is what I have found. The best looking cork IMHO is found on some burl cork rings that have a mix of large and small chunks. They look great with something like Tru Oil on them, or really beautiful with wrap epoxy on them. Use split grips and the weight difference will be somewhat offset and the cost will be lower.
Some burl with uniform chunk sizes looks like "particle board: or cheap cork you'd buy for lining tool boxes. [www.rodbuilding.org] Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/2019 10:22PM by Michael Danek. Re: Highest Quality Cork Handles?
Posted by:
Paul Luechtefeld
(---.mobile.att.net)
Date: January 04, 2019 09:44PM
Yeah their website is very confusing! I have a pdf file that I got from them threw FB messenger. You can get a catalog the same way. Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
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