Got a question for the builders who use carbon fiber grips. Some of them have a foam core and then others have the hard, layered fiber that normally have a small arbor on each end of the grip, leaving the rest of the grip hollow.

Can someone comment on the sensitivity of a hollow carbon grip compared to one of the foam core variety? I'd assume that since the foam core grip makes full contact with the blank throughout the length of the grip there would be more vibration transfer with those. On the flipside, maybe a hollow grip amplifies the vibrations somehow? Open to any thoughts.

I don't notice a difference. Texture is the difference for me.

I have and use both, I can’t tell the difference. Like both very much.
Norm

The carbon on the foam core grips is almost paper thin (or should be). The foam provides the strength so the skin can be very thin. Hollow core grips require a much thicker carbon cross section. You'd have to weigh each to be sure, but I'd guess any difference would be minimal.

Contact area between the parts isn't really of any concern. Open chambers don't amplify what we feel when fishing. And when you come right down to it, neither fish nor lures vibrate - it's leverage that you feel. I doubt you could tell any practical difference between the two grip types in an actual fishing condition.

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Thanks all for the info.

Tom, 10 grams/.2oz. is the difference in weight between the two grip sets.

That's more than I would have thought but I don't what type of carbon skinned grip you're using - not all the companies use the same density foam. Still, I seriously doubt you'll note any difference in sensitivity.

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To vibrate or not to vibrate, that is the question.

A stiff material like the outer layer of carbon fiber coming into contact with the blank is going to transmit the most vibration with the least amount of resistance, so I would think that a hollow core that had chambers with supports of similar material that could be reamed out and make direct contact with the blank, would be the most sensitive. The hollow chambered ones I have used are not built like this so you will have to have some kind of core to to attach and center them. A foam shim or Arbor is typically used or tape / drywall fiberglass tape. It is not going to transmit vibration much different than a foam core CF grip.

While I am not a physicist and may be talking through my hat, I do have some opinions on this subject. My logical mind tells me the graphite arbors should transmit vibrations more effectively than a foam core, but are appreciably heavier then their foam counterparts. I use them quite often, but when fishing, I have never been able to tell the difference in graphite, foam core or even masking tape arbors - that may be my ham-fisted fishing methodology I suppose.

Gary Loomis, someone whom I respect and admire, once told me of a new formulation in their foam core that transmits vibrations dramatically better than other formulations on the market. He gave me some specifics, but I would be reluctant to divulge them on a public forum. Suffice it to say I have been very happy with the woven carbon handles from NFC and will definitely buy more in the very near future!

I also noted the comment regarding the carbon skin with "...a small arbor on each end of the grip..." and was reminded of the American Tackle G2 handle systems, and these are outstanding, albeit with only one arbor at one end. It is not a foam or graphite material, I could not say exactly what it is, but these are some of the most sensitive grips I have ever experienced! I especially like the split grip versions on my inshore rods.

Rich

Tom, the carbon skinned grip I was considering is NFC brand. The hard carbon grip is seaguide brand, probably a little heavier than others since they're finished with a thin layer of epoxy. The extra weight over a woven grip will probably be unnoticeable, but it's going to be a pitching rod so I don't mind a little weight below the reel seat anyway.

Rich, the seaguide hard carbon grips I'm going with are very similar to those G2 handle systems, so good to hear!

"Graphite" arbors are generally made from urethane foam. And do remember that urethane foam cores or arbors are very, very light yet very rigid. These are not like EVA or hypalon type foam.

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I am virtually never holding a rod grip when sensitivity is a factor, except for fly rods. Are there even hollow fly rod grips? Am I missing something?



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 02/20/2023 01:40AM by Kendall Cikanek.