I am looking for a thin material to intersperse with burl rings for an elegant contrast. I've mixed rubberized gasket cork with regular cork for a great effect, but with burl what other thin materials can be used? Anything in black, green, red or blue that works well; a thin sheet of rubber, graphite or something? It has to be comfortable, durable, sandable, and able to weather the elements. Anything out there that fits the ticket?

I wil just toss this in but I have no idea that it would work. In fly tying we use different types of foam for making bug bodies. It comes in sheets and could be sandwiched into a grip I feel sure. How well it sands and turns I have no idea. I haven't tried it. Visit your local fly shop or craft type store.

Just finished a fly rod grip that incorporated regular cork, light colored burl cork, and darker burl cork (all shaded from light to dark) with a couple of trim inserts of brown and white rings cut from the sheets that you mention. Works fine. Looks neat.
Clyde Dent

Clyde you have any pics to share on this handle?? Thanks Davesrods

Rob,

I've made a few grips out of the 'craft' foam that's sold in sheets at WalMart and craft stores. It's time consuming, but they stack up to be very nice looking, durable girps. I've never used any in conjunction with cork, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. It comes in a rainbow of colors.

Good Luck!

I'll take a look at the craft foam next time I'm in Walmart. Thanks for the other suggestions as well. Any and all ideas are appreciated. We may discover something really cool! Anyone know if you can buy flat sheets of black rubber?

Hi Rob,
Here's a pic ( [momentoffame.com] ) of a grip I made using the foam sheets available at Wal~Mart. For the pinstripes on each end I cut a ring in half then placed a piece of foam between the two halves then one between that and the next whole cork ring. For the 45 degree angle I simply glued up my cork grip as usuall then using a hobby miter saw and box I cut the grip at a 45 degree angle, inserted my foam piece and glued it back up per normal. Make sure you find the center of the length of the grip. I did the same thing for the rear/fore grips. I sanded the grips as normal.

Hope this gives you some ideas,
Steve