Cork or foam rod handle?

[fishindad]

Put me in the traditionalist category as well. I prefer full cork, then split grip cork. I have tried but don't like EVA foam.

 

Never tried the Winn grips but have golfed since I was a teen and can envision myself liking them on my rod handles, certainly as much as cork but hopefully not so much more that I'd want to replace my entire arsenal with Winn grips.

[Djohn]

Cork for me but i find foam gives me a better grip when it's wet.

[Scrapiron]

I have sold all my EVA / foam rods- I have one Winn grip rod and it's awesome. I've been moving to full handle cork.

[r83srock]

I've had both foam and cork. Have had a lot of full handle cork St. Croix rods. My latest rod is a Vendetta with a cutout in the foam handle for your palm, I'm liking it a lot, so I may be buying more at some point. I haven't found a difference in feel or sensitivity between foam and cork, but I do notice it from full handle to split grip. I am finding the less material on the handle the better, as long as the rod remains balanced.

[3crows]

No preference but the EVA/foam stays looking better longer than cork and is overall more attractive (to me). I guess the grip material is not a huge factor. More concerned with the purpose, action, overall quality and point of manufacture. 

[NOC 1]

On 7/14/2016 at 1:53 PM, MIbassyaker said:

Prefer cork, am ok with foam. I actually really like the Fenwick rubberized cork. I like the look of split grips over full, but honestly don't feel any performance difference.

BUT...I hate, hate, hate, HATE bright colors on rods. So no red/green/purple/blue/orange/whatever eva or Winn grips for me, thanks.

My opinion is similar to yours with the exception that I do see a big performance of split grips and full grips. Not in the sense that one is always superior to the other but in the way that a given rod balances. In my opinion a long heavier rod is much better with a full cork grip because I might not have to use such a heavy reel to balance it. But on the other hand a light 6'6" rod let's say, might be better with split grip if I want to mount something other that a STEEZ or the like.

 

I know that you can add weight to any rod to balance it, but it's kind of nice not having to.

On 9/3/2017 at 10:28 AM, 3crows said:

No preference but the EVA/foam stays looking better longer than cork and is overall more attractive (to me). I guess the grip material is not a huge factor. More concerned with the purpose, action, overall quality and point of manufacture. 

My experience is that if the cork is a good grade of cork, without cracks and filler, if you treat the cork with something like U-40, and then keep it clean, cork will stay looking good for many decades. The foam on the other hand will most likely become brittle and turn to powder.

 

You have to start with good cork though.

[GreenPig]

On 7/16/2016 at 3:57 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

I like foam, it's more comfortable to me. For some reason, if I fish with cork handles a lot it dries my hands out really bad to the point the start cracking and bleeding. Not very manly feeling when you have to stop fishing to put hand lotion on. 

You just need to moisturize your cork the night before fishing while you're putting on line conditioner. 

[dodgeguy]

winn grips are awesome. cork is next and foam is third. i haverods with all 3.

[NYWayfarer]

36 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

winn grips are awesome. cork is next and foam is third. i haverods with all 3.

Those would be my choices as well in that order.

 

I would add that I prefer my Winn Grips in black. Any other color will eventually show dirt. I clean mine with Dawn dish detergent to keep them looking new as long as I can.

 

I prefer to seal my cork handle with cork sealer. 
 

All EVA foam is not the same. I have rods with cheap foam and others with a higher quality denser foam that feels firm to the touch.

[Yumeya]

I like cork, full or split.

I do however like how a full grip looks.

 

Use U-40 on all my rods and they stay nice and easy to clean.

 

The only rod I have with EVA is my TUCR Bullwhip, Its a sweet rod for ice fishing.