Cork grip replacement?

**Mayfly** · 04-12-11

I was wondering if it is possible to replace the cork grip on my flyrod? Not sure how much work this entails etc? (are the grips glued in place etc??)

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

**William Ewels** · 04-12-11

It is a bit of a mission.

1) Remove any guides on the butt section - obviously 4-piece rods don't have guides on the butt section.

2) Take off the bindings ahead of the winding check and then remove the winding check itself. If it's stuck in place with epoxy pour some boiling water on it to soften the epoxy and carefully scrape epoxy away with fingernail or with a hard plastic scraper e.g. edge of an old credit card. NB a metal winding check will be extremely hot to touch after boiling water treatment

3) Pinch off the old cork grip in little chunks with some pliers - don't go all the way down to the blank.

4) Carefully trim a bit closer to the blank with a Stanley knife till you can see some of the epoxy used to glue the cork to the blank. Ultra-careful with this - you don't want to dig the blade into the blank.

5) Pour on boiling water to soften the epoxy and scrape off. Gets a bit finicky close to the reel seat - try not to heat up the real seat itslelf. (A hair drier can also be used to put heat on the epoxy exactly where you want it - but rather not use a heat gun for paint because that is too hot and may damage the blank.)

There you go - ready for reaming and fitting a new cork grip with fresh epoxy

**smallstreams.co.za** · 04-12-11

You could also turn the existing cork grip down to the OD of the winding check, and ream the new grip ID to match. Slip over.

This is of course if the existing grip is still secure. If not do the same as above, you can build up the OD of the blank with dry-wall tape to match the OD of the winding check.

This will save having to remove the check and all the wraps and stuff.

**Mayfly** · 05-12-11

Thanks for the info William and Mario! But this sounds like a job best left to someone that knows what they are doing!

cos i'm definitely not qualified to try this undertaking then!

**E.T.** · 05-12-11

What rod is it? Let's determine that first? Cause if it's an El-Cheapo, buy a new one, cause it's going to be cheaper. If it's a brand or high end, then yes you can have it replaced as the rod will justify it.

Expect to pay R500 plus for having that grip replaced.

**Mayfly** · 05-12-11

Well it's a brand new TFO BVK.....so medium end I guess? Nice rod but am very disappointed with the cork grip. It has gaping holes in the cork which havent been filled properly. So would like to re-cork it with a nicer grip.

Perhaps just being a bit nit-picky, but I have 2 cheapo xplorer rods which have much nicer grips.....so just doesn't seem right on a medium end rod??