Alternative Grip Materials: Why No Plastic or Resin?

[Michigander]

I'm wondering why there aren't plastic or resin-cast rod grip materials. If there are, I have been unable to locate them.

 

It seems that the rigidity of the material would not dampen vibration and the customization options of the materials would be nearly endless. So is there a functional reason why these materials seem to be absent from suppliers?

[MickD]

You've got about the highest modulus "plastic" material in carbon fiber over foam forms.  I expect Winn grips are a form of plastic.

 

Most spin and cast reel seats are in fact made from reinforced plastic.  

 

I think I remember cheap kids rods with blow molded plastic handles.  Which looked and felt really cheap.

 

I think cast-resins are pretty dense, but have not taken the time to compare with current reel seat material.  

 

A Fuji DPSM seat comes in at about an ounce, even for a size 17, so that's pretty efficient use of the materials.  Allows 7 foot spin rods to come in at well less than 4 ounces even with a comfortable seat.  I think most others are similar, some lighter.

 

 

[Michigander]

34 minutes ago, MickD said:

You've got about the highest modulus "plastic" material in carbon fiber over foam forms.  I expect Winn grips are a form of plastic.

 

Most spin and cast reel seats are in fact made from reinforced plastic.  

 

I think I remember cheap kids rods with blow molded plastic handles.  Which looked and felt really cheap.

 

I think cast-resins are pretty dense, but have not taken the time to compare with current reel seat material.  

 

A Fuji DPSM seat comes in at about an ounce, even for a size 17, so that's pretty efficient use of the materials.  Allows 7 foot spin rods to come in at well less than 4 ounces even with a comfortable seat.  I think most others are similar, some lighter.

 

 

I guess I should have been more specific, I meant solid hard plastic. After posting this I did find a couple sites selling ABS plastic handles, though most of the emphasis seemed to be toward ice rods which was interesting.

 

Well, I am going to design and 3D resin print a handle for a punching rod I'm building soon. Trying it out 

[spoonplugger1]

They are called slick butts.

[Michigander]

37 minutes ago, spoonplugger1 said:

They are called slick butts.

Hmm... I learned a new term today. Those seem to be of nylon and fiberglass construction. Do you think they would be sensitivity killers? I can't find much information on them outside their intended use for fast pulling trolling rods out of rod holders.

[Michigander]

I guess it doesn't really matter, those seem to be designed for thick boy rods, my blank is much smaller than the smallest ID I can find in one of these.

 

oh well, back to the design process!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I think the weight and texture of plastic would turn off a lot of anglers. I’ve used wood grips and would goths that route again for something different. Pricey though. Winn grips are just EVA with a rubber skin. I can see carbon tube handles like the G2 catching on in production rods one day. 

[Tim Kelly]

I just built a light power spinning rod (NFCMB662-1 HM) with a 9" G2 carbon handle. I like it to hold and fish with, especially with the carbon Aero reel seat I fitted, but an surprised how heavy it turned out. Too heavy really for the light blank. It would be fine for a medium power rod I expect, but lighter builds really need something more minimal, I have discovered!

[spoonplugger1]

It's not the first time American Tackle has sold a graphite tube rear grip/reel seat assy, there was the Matrix assembly some years back.

[MickD]

1 hour ago, Michigander said:

Do you think they would be sensitivity killers?

What is "they?"  glass reinforced nylon, ABS, and other plastics are common in the auto industry.  I see no reason that reinforcing any plastic with glass or carbon or any other high modulus material would dampen its transmission of vibration (sensitivity).

[Michigander]

1 hour ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I think the weight and texture of plastic would turn off a lot of anglers. I’ve used wood grips and would goths that route again for something different. Pricey though. Winn grips are just EVA with a rubber skin. I can see carbon tube handles like the G2 catching on in production rods one day. 

Ok, but you're not getting the vibe that these materials are wrong for the application though, correct?

1 hour ago, Tim Kelly said:

I just built a light power spinning rod (NFCMB662-1 HM) with a 9" G2 carbon handle. I like it to hold and fish with, especially with the carbon Aero reel seat I fitted, but an surprised how heavy it turned out. Too heavy really for the light blank. It would be fine for a medium power rod I expect, but lighter builds really need something more minimal, I have discovered!

Yeah, the G2 stuff is actually much heavier than I think a lot of people, myself included, thought.

 

49 minutes ago, MickD said:

What is "they?"  glass reinforced nylon, ABS, and other plastics are common in the auto industry.  I see no reason that reinforcing any plastic with glass or carbon or any other high modulus material would dampen its transmission of vibration (sensitivity).

Sorry, they being slick butts. Some of that mega fish stuff is designed to be a shock absorber and lessen your fatigue when battling the big saltwater fish.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

46 minutes ago, Michigander said:

Ok, but you're not getting the vibe that these materials are wrong for the application though, correct?

Yeah, the G2 stuff is actually much heavier than I think a lot of people, myself included, thought.

 

Sorry, they being slick butts. Some of that mega fish stuff is designed to be a shock absorber and lessen your fatigue when battling the big saltwater fish.

Just spit balling what manufacturers might be thinking. I’m using a lot of the G2s and liking them. Proper installation might be a hindrance in a production setting as they are currently but I can see some other iteration being used. 

[Michigander]

1 hour ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Just spit balling what manufacturers might be thinking. I’m using a lot of the G2s and liking them. Proper installation might be a hindrance in a production setting as they are currently but I can see some other iteration being used. 

That makes sense. I'm looking at making only for myself, just making sure I ask around in case there's a performance reason that companies don't use these materials.

 

Have you been fishing with the G2's or just building with them?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I’ve used other carbon tubes in the past and liked it a lot. I’ll be using some on personal builds assuming I ever get to fish again. Lol. Super busy. 

[Michigander]

38 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I’ve used other carbon tubes in the past and liked it a lot. I’ll be using some on personal builds assuming I ever get to fish again. Lol. Super busy. 

That's awful that you don't get to fish much, but I guess it's better than the alternative. ?

[spoonplugger1]

The G2 grips are heavier I think than the similar NFC version, it's probably because of all the trim pieces, bling adds weight. The NFC grips only have a forward arbor that is prefit and an EVA butt cap that also acts as the rear arbor. They also have split grips, overall they have a bunch of graphite grip types, including fly grips, all US made on-site and on sale still I think.

[Michigander]

24 minutes ago, spoonplugger1 said:

The G2 grips are heavier I think than the similar NFC version, it's probably because of all the trim pieces, bling adds weight. The NFC grips only have a forward arbor that is prefit and an EVA butt cap that also acts as the rear arbor. They also have split grips, overall they have a bunch of graphite grip types, including fly grips, all US made on-site and on sale still I think.

They do have quite a bit of extra parts in the fit and finish department.