Just some (maybe useless) info for you guys that are bored...
After seeing a bunch of rods with wooden grips, and discussing it for some time with other builders...I decided to do a little experiment this weekend while waiting for other cork grips to dry.
I turned a wooden fly grip (reverse half wells) out of plain pine wood. Sanded it smooth, and applied a danish oil finish. Then I held it, weighed it, wet it, felt it, and thought I'd just list my general impressions (and trying not to be biased against cork grips, which I do prefer. Kept an open mind as far as I could). Only thing is, it's not actually mounted on a rod, so the ultimate test for me would be to pluck up the courage to put this grip on a blank, build up the rod, and fish it for a day, and then see what I think.
But here are my initial thoughts, pro's and cons...
PRO'S:
- Looks great, because there's zero pits to fill like cork. (Some, like me, may argue that they prefer the traditional look of cork though)
- Will never become groggy-looking and pitted like cork.
- When you use different wood, the look could be really special. (Design patterns, exotic wood, etc. (Weight may become an issue though)\
- Weighed only 14 grams heavier than a normal slightly custom cork grip. (bear in mind this is pine...exotic woods will obviously weight a lot more)
- If you like the look of wood, wooden grips will excite you.
CON'S:
- Weight will be an issue, always. If you want to go lightest possible, cork is still the way to go.
- When wet, the grip definitely feels a lot more slippery in hand than a cork grip. This may cause you to use more force to hold the grip, which could mean your hands start to pain (especially in cold weather). Once again, I'll only know for sure myself, if I fish it for a day. But compared to cork, side by side when wet, it definitely is a lot more slippery in hand.
- If you prefer the look of cork (and if you are a traditionalist) you will not like wooden grips.
- Has no "flex" like cork grips have. This may be an issue on soft rods, where the butt section does flex (or bend slightly) in your hand.
- You should never really need to replace the grip, but in the event that you do, you are going to battle to get this off the blank! Cork is easy to remove from a rod, to replace the grip. Cut off, and there you go. With a wood grip, it's not going to be easy at all. In fact, I would say if it's on, it's on for life. unless you mount the grip around a cork "bush", then perhaps. Once you (very carefully) saw the grip off...you will hit the cork bush, and then yuo can cut away as per normal.
So in the end...what is my honest un-biased opinion on wood grips?
If you like the look, don't mind the extra weight, and can get used to the feel...go for it.
If you are trying not to add any extra un-nessesary weight, then don't.
Personally...I still prefer cork. Because of the look, feel and minimal weight. But wooden grips may have a place in the sun on fly rods...if the user can olook past the few cons (and prefers the look), then it's a definite option.
Here's a pic of the grip I quickly did and tried.
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