Split Handle Or Full Handle

[Mccallister25]

I own both, and like both. I never really think about it. I do prefer cork over foam though. My jig rod is a Cellus, which is the rod I use the most. It has the foam grips, which I wish were cork.

[LMB KING]

The biggest advantage is weight. By making split handle, it takes weight off the rod, so companies now are removing unnecessary weight making them lighter. it was not made for looks as some people like full handle, so it comes down to preference but if you're all about taking as much weight from fishing gear than that's all me. i like light gear.   

[S Hovanec]

I prefer full, but my favorite rod has a split Tennessee with the hook keep between the grips. I like it so much I think my next 2 spinning builds will have the same configuration.

[SirSnookalot]

I wonder how much lighter a split grip rod is.  As Capt Bob did by adding cork and altering the balance IMO is a total win, especially if one uses a variety of lure weights.  Not only is his rod less prone to be tip heavy but I feel 2 handed casting is easier with a full grip.

[Tywithay]

I wonder how much lighter a split grip rod is. As Capt Bob did by adding cork and altering the balance IMO is a total win, especially if one uses a variety of lure weights. Not only is his rod less prone to be tip heavy but I feel 2 handed casting is easier with a full grip.

It's only a few grams, maybe 6-7 on a long handle. The weight is removed from the wrong portion of the rod though. You want more weight at the butt of the rod to improve balance. A 5oz rod with perfect balance will feel much better than a 4oz rod that's very tip heavy.

[tomustang]

Doesn't bother me

[sparky241]

I own both, and like both. I never really think about it. I do prefer cork over foam though. My jig rod is a Cellus, which is the rod I use the most. It has the foam grips, which I wish were cork.

i agree i always like the feel and look of cork over foam. i think i actually like the split grip better, but like jeff h said if im using both hands i think i want a full grip

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The original split grip was intended to improve two handed casting by placing the rear hand consistently on the butt grip. In modern use split grips are use aesthetically and to reduce the cost by using less (and often lower grade) cork. 

[Capt.Bob]

The original split grip was intended to improve two handed casting by placing the rear hand consistently on the butt grip. In modern use split grips are use aesthetically and to reduce the cost by using less (and often lower grade) cork. 

Yep!! and as quality cork becomes more and more scarce,,,and the price rises, we are going to see fewer and fewer rods built with it. We every season see more and more new rod and models that use other or less materials to build there rods. For those like me that want nothing else,,,,better get em wile you can.

 

The same thing happened with firearms. Walnut and other exotic wood was the once a standard material for quality Rifle and Hand Gun  Stock's. Today manufacturers have brainwashed many into believing synthetics are better,,,,,,in some ways it is,,,,if you don't like to take care of your equipment, but to many that use wood and know how to take care of it, it still better than synthetics,,,, kinda like everything else, they cheapen stuff up using less expensive products to manufacture products,,,,raise the price,,,,,and we are brainwashed into believing it is all because it's better, while profits continue to increase, and stockholders smile,,,,,,,,,,,,,,      

[Chris186]

I like the split grips for fishing jigs and soft plastics. Anything I use 2 hands to cast with like spinnerbait, crankbait etc I prefer a full grip. Casting  a split grip with 2 hands feels really awkward to me, as I found out yesterday.

[SirSnookalot]

How much does cork cost on a wholesale manufacturer's level bought in volume, probably not a lot.  I would think a split grips are more fad orientated than a cost saving measure.

[LMB KING]

How much does cork cost on a wholesale manufacturer's level bought in volume, probably not a lot.  I would think a split grips are more fad orientated than a cost saving measure.

 

You right about that, but Weight saving and they still cheap rods with full cork on them.

[Capt.Bob]

How much does cork cost on a wholesale manufacturer's level bought in volume, probably not a lot.  I would think a split grips are more fad orientated than a cost saving measure.

I don't know how many they buy or build, but Fly rods Spinning rods, casting rods, offshore, inshore, etc. etc. and the many models in each category, I think I am going to be very very conservative as I will be with the cost!!!  

Lets say they  buy for 100,000 rods a year at minimum,,,,, so if they pay 1/3 rd of what custom rod builders do, 50 cents a ring, ( my builder pay's over $1.35 per ring for the best cork flor grade he can get and buys 1000 at a time) they average probably 10" on a full cork rod,,,,grip and for grip,,,, that takes 20 rings, this isn't counting gluing reaming and turning and assembling,,,,,all required on top of buying it. Granted they use trim pieces, (as do I where I can on custom rods) that are cheaper even on the best factory rods. so lets say just in material it cost 15 pieces X .50 that's $7.50 a rod if they build 100,000 rods a year it cost the $750,000.00 just for handles, if they can buy other materials and I can for 1/3rd that price that is a savings of $500,000.00 if it was only $1.00 a rod cheaper which I am positive it is more than that, they would still save $100,000.00 a year or one million in 10 years,, I assure you that you need to look and do some checking and reading on prices and availability of premium cork that isn't full of filler like most rods that you are referring to use. Just the rings for my handle and forgrip was over $20.00, that is just cork rings, then my builder will work his magic on them and I get to pay for that, but it will be nicer than the best factory grip, however I doubt my builder can get the quality of cork St. Croix uses in there Extreme and Elite lines, Fly rods or conventional!!!

You right about that, but Weight saving and they still cheap rods with full cork on them.

I don't know, but I do know how they build them and what they use for the best. I will assure the cork on cheap rods is going to have the same kind of cork, and I will assure you it wont be near the cost of cork on rods such as St Croix uses on Legend elite's or Legend Extreme's, I can tell the difference in my Avids and them, they really get cheaper on the imported rods. They buy rings usually 1 1/4" diameter and 1/2" thick, this is pretty standard. But I can buy rings that need filler much like a 100 or 130 rod even, for less than 1/3 what I pay for the best I can get, and I it doesn't mater if I want 1 of each kind or 1 million of each kind!! Most experienced rod builders know the very but of a rod is the least preferred place to start chopping weight, they would either have extremely tip heavy rods, overly long handles, or very heavy components building them ahead of the blank. Making a expensive rod cost wise,,,,a cheap rod performance wise!!

 

I do know a 4" long 1 1/4" dia. peice of cork with a  1/4" hole in it that will have to be reamed larger and make it even lighter,,,,,weighs less than 1/10th of an oz!!!! This is an example of what they want you to think!!!  These are all things that keep me building different rods ofter having dozens,,,, oh so much goes into a rod that make the difference between a great rod and one that looks and feels good, Function is everything and it's quest is endless!!!!!   

[LMB KING]

I don't know how many they buy or build, but Fly rods Spinning rods, casting rods, offshore, inshore, etc. etc. and the many models in each category, I think I am going to be very very conservative as I will be with the cost!!!  

Lets say they  buy for 100,000 rods a year at minimum,,,,, so if they pay 1/3 rd of what custom rod builders do, 50 cents a ring, ( my builder pay's over $1.35 per ring for the best cork flor grade he can get and buys 1000 at a time) they average probably 10" on a full cork rod,,,,grip and for grip,,,, that takes 20 rings, this isn't counting gluing reaming and turning and assembling,,,,,all required on top of buying it. Granted they use trim pieces, (as do I where I can on custom rods) that are cheaper even on the best factory rods. so lets say just in material it cost 15 pieces X .50 that's $7.50 a rod if they build 100,000 rods a year it cost the $750,000.00 just for handles, if they can buy other materials and I can for 1/3rd that price that is a savings of $500,000.00 if it was only $1.00 a rod cheaper which I am positive it is more than that, they would still save $100,000.00 a year or one million in 10 years,, I assure you that you need to look and do some checking and reading on prices and availability of premium cork that isn't full of filler like most rods that you are referring to use. Just the rings for my handle and forgrip was over $20.00, that is just cork rings, then my builder will work his magic on them and I get to pay for that, but it will be nicer than the best factory grip, however I doubt my builder can get the quality of cork St. Croix uses in there Extreme and Elite lines, Fly rods or conventional!!!

I don't know, but I do know how they build them and what they use for the best. I will assure the cork on cheap rods is going to have the same kind of cork, and I will assure you it wont be near the cost of cork on rods such as St Croix uses on Legend elite's or Legend Extreme's, I can tell the difference in my Avids and them, they really get cheaper on the imported rods. They buy rings usually 1 1/4" diameter and 1/2" thick, this is pretty standard. But I can buy rings that need filler much like a 100 or 130 rod even, for less than 1/3 what I pay for the best I can get, and I it doesn't mater if I want 1 of each kind or 1 million of each kind!! Most experienced rod builders know the very but of a rod is the least preferred place to start chopping weight, they would either have extremely tip heavy rods, overly long handles, or very heavy components building them ahead of the blank. Making a expensive rod cost wise,,,,a cheap rod performance wise!!

 

I do know a 4" long 1 1/4" dia. peice of cork with a  1/4" hole in it that will have to be reamed larger and make it even lighter,,,,,weighs less than 1/10th of an oz!!!! This is an example of what they want you to think!!!  These are all things that keep me building different rods ofter having dozens,,,, oh so much goes into a rod that make the difference between a great rod and one that looks and feels good, Function is everything and it's quest is endless!!!!!   

 

I like high quality rods, and my favorite blank by far is the G.LOOMIS blanks, i just think that the quality are superior. They also use split cork and full cork rods but i personally like split cork because its looks good to my eyes and i basically want a stick with reel seat and fuji guides because it looks cool to me.

it doesn't affect performance, but its a preference thing. Most freshwater rod companies are switching to split cork exclusively but you still have some companies with their full cork traditional rods. But your right about some companies that are on the higher end that sell full cork that are lighter than other split cork companies.

[mikeeasttn]

I prefer the full cork for the look and casting.  I also have a few of the split grip rods and just do not like the way they feel when casting.

[SirSnookalot]

For me the importance is a foregrip which I'm not seeing much of in newer freshwater rods, so I use light, ml a nd med sw inshore rods in freshwater.  I cast with my hand just above the reel on the foregrip, it's the most comfortable for me.

[Capt.Bob]

For me the importance is a foregrip which I'm not seeing much of in newer freshwater rods, so I use light, ml a nd med sw inshore rods in freshwater.  I cast with my hand just above the reel on the foregrip, it's the most comfortable for me.

It is quite easy to learn how to use a freshwater rod properly to play a fish, we don't hog handle and run em down,,,,it's come to papa time usually, in time one can get the hang of it if he works at it a little bit.  

[SirSnookalot]

For me the importance is a foregrip which I'm not seeing much of in newer freshwater rods, so I use light, ml a nd med sw inshore rods in freshwater.  I cast with my hand just above the reel on the foregrip, it's the most comfortable for me.

 

It is quite easy to learn how to use a freshwater rod properly to play a fish, we don't hog handle and run em down,,,,it's come to papa time usually, in time one can get the hang of it if he works at it a little bit.  

What does this have to with a foregrip preference?  I do understand using heavy braid and winching a bass in, there isn't much need to "run em down".

[Raul]

Another thread rising from the afterlife ...... what the heck is going on ? 

 

 

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, Raul said:

Another thread rising from the afterlife ...... what the heck is going on ? 

 

 

Maybe sirsnookalot uses dial up internet and it just went through? ?

[Bluebasser86]

1 hour ago, Raul said:

Another thread rising from the afterlife ...... what the heck is going on ? 

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Maybe sirsnookalot uses dial up internet and it just went through? ?

Snook's post was almost 3 years ago? Unless someone deleted a post, Raul is the grave digger here. 

[ww2farmer]

It doesn't matter to me, I have both split and full handled and like them both. I am a little  picky about real seats though. There are a lot I like and don't mind, but a rod with a Fuji SK2 or ACS casting seat is a no go for me. Spinning rod seats I am not a fan of the Fuji SKS or TVS. Beyond that full grip, split grip, foam, cork, forgrip/no forgrip...I don't care.

[Airman4754]

Split grip. I butt cap in my hand feels way more secure to me when I cast.

[dwardmba]

I wasn't here three years ago. I enjoyed the read, something to be said for the blast from the past. 

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

 

Snook's post was almost 3 years ago? Unless someone deleted a post, Raul is the grave digger here. 

Oops! Lol looks like I jumped on too soon! Lol