I just received a new CTS carbon fiber grip (full wells) it is unlike any carbon fiber grip I have seen, handled or made. The interior foam is elastic, yet the exterior of the grip is ridged. The surface they advertise as "silk touch" with a very light rubberized feel. When the grip is dropped on a hard surface, it sounds like a glass tube! Really unique and unusual.

Has anyone had experience with these grips? Herb? I cannot wait to put one of the on a rod and both cast and fish it!!

Hey Phil,
Some will be delivered to me on my next shipment.
They are a little too long for my personal use. I like my grips about 6 5/8".
But I have to handle one before I decide.
Also interested to see if the rigid skin on the forward end of the grip comes in contact with the blank. Will have to be ported and cushioned with a neoprene "O" ring if it does.
Let me know after you install one.
Herb

Herb, the ridged end is only the forward end as the rear is inletted for the reel seat. My solution to your concern regarding contact with the blank, is to bore it out just slightly larger than the blank at that point. It is not any harder than a blank, so do not think it is a real issue.

Phil,
I have been looking at those grips and actually contacted Herb about them. When you say "elastic" I assume you mean it is somewhat spongy or soft? The core material will flex enough to contact the blank at the front end of the full wells where the winding check would be if not reamed out a little?
Thanks,
Lance

Lance, that is correct. The interior foam is somewhat soft enough that very little reaming is needed, even none on light weight rods. However due to the hard shell under the top carbon fiber surface, there is no detection of the softer core.

I did order any of the "natural" grips with this shipment, but now have some on order.

so my question is:
why would you not want the carbon to come in contact with the blank?

When building carbon grips, one of my main goals is to have the carbon be in contact with the blank

I should let Herb answer as he mentioned it. But, I think most likely it is because CTS describes the end as having extra internal reinforcing. He may be concerned that it could nick the blank at that point when the rod flexes.

Steve, Phil,
I used to install CF grips on my rods 8-10 years ago - I noticed that the hard carbon skin on the forward end of the grip came in contact with the blank. As the blank flexed against the rigid carbon skin it actually etched the blank. Over time I am sure that it would pose a problem leading to failure of the blank at that point.
My remedy for that was to port the forward end enough to fit a neoprene "O" ring that acted as a cushion.
Herb

I do as Herb mentions, however I just port it very slightly larger than the blank at that point and fill the gap with the same epoxy I am using to attache the winding check. I have been installing CF grips since they first came out, no failures to date!