Do any of you sponsors stock any triple A or better preturned cork grips for casting or spinning rods? I know it would be expensive, however there is a market for it. I can no longer take the dust encountered with turning cork.
Thank you,
Gerald Mc

Dick,
In your post you rightly bemoan the fact that there is no "real" cork grading system in effect these days. Perhaps those of us who build rods should get together behind a universal system of cork grading. I don't really know enough to speak intelligently here, but couldn't we say something like this:

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From now on, all cork will be graded by the number and size of lucanae per square inch (cm?).

Grade A -- less than 1% lucunae

Grade B -- 1%-5% lucunae

Grade C -- 5%-10% lucunae

Grade D -- 10% or more lucunae

(Again, that may not be realistic, but you get the point)

In Ron Barch's newsletter for bamboo lovers, "The Planing Form" a similar suggestion is made. Requiring suppliers to accurately grade and describe the Tonkin cane available today has resulted in us cane nuts knowing what we are buying. Consequently the bamboo available today is far and away better than at any time in the history of bamboo fly rods.

I suppose what I'm saying is RODBUILDERS UNITE!! Let's force the cork suppliers to meet our needs.

Harry

While on the subject of cork, are there any sources for burnt cork rings?