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Grips |
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Today's modern closed cell foam grips are probably the best, most durable grips available to the rod builder and the customer. They are very durable, retain firm control of a rod even when wet and are easy to maintain. The standard in earlier rod construction was the cork grip. These remain popular for the fly fisherman and are available in "off the shelf" patterns or can be fashioned by assembling individual slices of cork rings on a rod blank to build up an acceptable length, diameter and ergonomic "feel" for any fisherman. Cork is also available in pre-glued strips that can be spiral wound on a rod blank, but this material is much thinner than cork rings and will show wear much sooner than assembled rings on any rod that is used extensively. Also popular — especially for heavier off-shore and trolling rods — are butts and foregrips of leather. These are also quite durable but require care after each trip afloat to keep them in top condition. Returning to closed cell foam, there are several varieties available. The earliest was and still is marketed under the trade name Hypalon. Hypalon is available as pre-formed grips or in 12 foot lengths in a variety of outside diameters. In addition, there are other manufacturers with products on the market under the trade names of Mooseskin, EVA, and Custom Grip (available exclusively from Dale Clemens Custom Tackle) that are "flocked" where electrostatically charged nylon is imbedded in foam, and several others. The grip material is available in cored (pre-drilled) as well as solid strips and 1.5" x 1.5" turning stock.
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Also available from custom designers are nautically knotted nylon grips and a newer approach called "Quick Grip". Quick Grip is nylon or poly electrical heat shrink tubing which is placed over a decorative design and then shrunk with a hair dryer or propane torch to conform to the underlying design or material. It is quite durable but can be slippery when wet, especially if there isn't an aggressive underlying design. Another newer product that is currently available is interwoven metallic threads in the "Chinese Handcuff" design. This material is available from Merrick tackle. It makes an attractive, fast butt wrap design and when overlaid with nylon thread is an extremely durable handle grip. Personally, I prefer to work with Custom Grip. I feel that the consistency of the material is finer grained, easier to turn to shape and that it is easily bonded with a quality rubber cement to produce a variety of inlaid designs in butt and foregrips. In non-man made materials wood remains a very viable option. Among the most popular woods are rosewood, ebony, oak and anigre. Teak can also be used as it is very resistant to sun and salt exposure but the wood grain is very open or porous and will require refinishing after a season or two. It is also a "softer wood" that will show scarring from placement in rod holders on trolling rods much sooner than the finer grained maple or oak stock. For the most part the angler should make the choice based on the usage expected of the rod and the time the angler is willing to spend in maintenance of the grips. |
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