About to consider cork or Winn grips for uplocking VSS spinning reel seat build. But i am concerned with the durability of using the Fuji Winn Grips. I know cork will stand the test of time but how about Winn? Have a rod with Tour Star grips that are falling apart after three years and a few winns showing age. Not sure its worth it in the long term.

I would go with the cork. The Winn grips do wear away after a couple of years, durability is just not there.
Norm

Jay,

If you are going to fish this rod heavily you will most likely begin to see wear after about two seasons of use. I have a couple out with tournament guys who had significant wear after a single season of use. They brought them back back and I replaced with cork for one user and the other chose carbon.

Tom

Yeah luckily my old man is pretty easy on his stuff, all the rods i made him have Winn products someplace. Mine i will stick with cork, dont need the pretty colors

Winn Grips are not the grips to use if you expect a lifetime grip that doesn't eventually need replacement . There is nothing i have used that offers the incredible feel and stickyness of Winn Grips though , you really have to experience it to appreciate it . If you get two or three seasons out of them i would be thrilled since you can buy a 44" overwrap for $10.00 to replace an entire grip on an average length rod . I purchase the 96" overwrap that will do close to two surf rod handles and that costs around $20.00.

If you desire to have the most sticky feeling handle ever Winn Gripps is what you want, nothing compares , but there's always a compromise and long term durability is that compromise . As thin as the overwraps are there is still more cushioning when compared to top grade cork or a handle made of carbon so sensitivity is also a trade off but it's not a large one .

If using Winn Grip overwraps DO NOT use anything underneath especially cork tape, that will really kill sensitivity , when i have used Winn Grips i always apply it directly to the blank.

Don't forget about EVA. It holds up much better than the Winn material. I prefer cork if given a choice but I have EVA grips that are at least 20 years old and decent condition.

Winn Grips are mostly EVA just much much thinner with the overwraps . I hate EVA foam grips UNLESS they're on offshore rods . Much much too thick .

if you like EVA you will love flocked EVA..i can,t think of anything more durable and still looks good after many years of use..

herb canter Wrote:
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> Winn Grips are mostly EVA just much much thinner
> with the overwraps . I hate EVA foam grips UNLESS
> they're on offshore rods . Much much too thick .


Winn Grips have a skin that will begin to flake and peel. I have only used it on a few rods because of that. Regular EVA can be shaped to whatever thickness you desire, but like I said "I prefer cork".

I love cork. lol

i love cork grips too but do not love the cost of cork..now when i want to make a cork grip, i don,t use costly rings but simply coat a core of urethane with granulated cork and sand it to fineness and grip texture i like at a cost that is way more sensable..no pits or glue lines and excellent durability..but i have to say it,s hard to beat a good flocked grip on urethane or eva..