Burl cork

[bowtech_182]

What are the advantages to making split grips exclusively out of burl cork?  Is it more durable, lighter? Burl cork seems to be significantly cheaper than real cork in any decent grade.

[.RM.]

I use the burls for my split grips it helps with my balancing , it is a more durable than any cork you can get. As far as cheaper that will depend on the quality of the burl, I use Andy Lamar' burls exclusively now and they aren't cheap. Use to use the imported german brown and red burls but that quality has gone down hill I found out today..

[bowtech_182]

Fishsticks4you has Lamar burl for $.85 for regular and $1.25 for laguna which I think is my favorite.  It is hard to tell from the pictures.  That is a far cry for $2-3 a ring for better grade cork.

Are you familiar with Mudholes burl which sells for $.70 a ring?

[.RM.]

I get all of my supplies from Bingham Ent., have known Karen sice my first rod. I don't even look anywhere else.

[flechero]

Check your prices again... the 1/2" rings of exotic burl are all $1.25ea. or 100/$100. I believe the trim rings are the $0.85 ones.

Well worth the money, either way. I use exotic burl on every rod I build that gets cork. (I used EVA on a couple cranking rods) Lamar's Exotic burl is dense, tough, good looking, easier to work with and gets tacky when wet... all qualities I want in a grip material. And the bonus- you won't have to ever buy or use cork or wood filler in any grip you build! I use the regular burl for giveaway rods, prototypes and arbors... not for anything "nice." "Real cork" is of no interest or value to me. It is a detriment to a split grip, which is all i build.

As for real cork in nicer grades- most of it is a sham. I spent a couple hundred dollars in the beginning on premium, Flor, ultra flor and #1 cork rings, from different suppliers. And to say I was ripped off was an understatement. I got one decent grip built from all that cork. The rest was junk so I just used it practicing my turning skills, and trying different grip profiles. To this day, I have not seen a true #1 grade cork ring in real life.

My advice to all new rod builders is to actually spend less and buy Exotic burl in the beginning, you'll spend less but get much more, in every respect, except frustration.  

[MickD]

I agree with Flechero, although I do use U40 cork seal on all my new builds.  I like the appearance, makes it look a little richer, and it should help with durability and fade/stain resistance.  My rods from a couple years ago still look like new.

One thing not covered in the string is the issue of weight.  Burl is heavier than plain cork, probably because it has no voids.  I have seen various estimates of the difference, but an experiment I ran indicated it was about 50% heavier than a decent but not flor grade of regular cork.  I've seen estimates of more difference.

Which leads to split grips.  You use less of a heavier material, so the end product can be lighter and you still have great cork.

Mick