Materials needed for rod modification? Turning full cork handle into split grip

[HOIST-N-HAWGS]

Wondering what I need to convert a full cork handle into a split grip? I'm guessing a sharp blade to remove the cork, and a fine grit sandpaper to smooth, and shape the cork I leave on. What's used to cover the remaining glue under the cork that can't be removed on the handle. Going to attempt this on an Avid. Is there any literiture on the process.

Thanks in advance for your help!    

[ddigit]

I personally wouldn't do it...

Warning! You will void any warranty on the Avid...

Here is an article from another builder George Roth HANDLE REMODELING

Good Luck!  

[HOIST-N-HAWGS]

I personally wouldn't do it...

Warning! You will void any warranty on the Avid...

Here is an article from another builder George Roth HANDLE REMODELING

Good Luck!

Thanks a bunch!!!!!!!! Extremely useful info!

[Chunkie]

Changing the rear grip should not void the warrenty but you could check with St croix first.

If you are going to this and want to use preformed cork then you will require 2 2 1/2" fore grips  and a rubber ring for the butt cap and 2 winding checks along with some rod bond or an water proof epoxy.

[.RM.]

Been building rods for 15+ years exclusively on St.Croix blanks, and trained ddigit in rod building he gave some very good info there.

I can say with certainty that St.Croix would void the warranty of any factory rod that has been modified from the original version. They get upset and void warranties on rod blanks that I use if I cut more than 2" off of a blank, in any custom build.

Good Luck & Tight Wraps!!!

[islandbass]

I've done it, but on a rod that nice, I wouldn't recommend it for the reasons already given.

I did it with rods that if I screwed up, I wouldn't be upset at all. A piece of crap Rapala spinning rod and my Berkley casting rod were the guinea pigs. They turned out quite alright.

Also, George Roth is the man. I found his tutorials helpul.

I can also tell you that removing the epoxy takes a lot of elbow grease if you can't do it chemically or by heat as George did.

Here is my spinning rod converted

And my Lightning Rod

You will notice that with the casting rod, I shaved it down to the point where my palm is in contact with the reel while I am holding the reel. I made certain of this because I realized that the only way a split grip can claim to be more "sensitive" than a full grip is if some part of the hand is touching the blank while holding the reel. If not, it is just going to be a purely aesthetic move.