Cork vs foam rod handles

[soflabasser]

Both are good.

[CrankFate]

I don’t know. I like rods that work for what I’m trying to do. I like the new light EVA. I have some with cork that I like. And now a days, I really like the Winn grips. I think I prefer the EVA and Winn to some extent, but I don’t know. Not usually make or break for me.

[GreenPig]

Fish both. No preference. Bulk of the time my hand is wrapped around the reel.

[kayaking_kev]

Cork over EVA, but Carbon over both.

 

I love the NFC Carbontex Soft Touch Grips and the American Tackle G2 Grips are pretty nice also.

[Hammer 4]

I use to have all cork grips, when I bought all new rods, it just so happens that they all have EVA split grips, which I like.

[Bankbeater]

Doesn't matter to me.

[Log Catcher]

All of my rods have a full cork grip.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Grip material is largely an aesthetic decision imo. Palming a casting reel or holding a spinner at the seat so little of the hand contacts the grip, material and feel is of little consequence. 

[WRB]

To me it’s finger contact that is important retrieving lures, casting it’s a good non slip grip is important.

Tom

[gim]

All of my rods except one have cork in some fashion.  Seems like most of the newer ones have split cork.  I wondered why this was but maybe cork has become more expensive so rod makers looked for a way to reduce cost.

[J Francho]

I don't really care as long as the butt end doesn't catch and stick to my shirt.  That's annoying.

[Mike L]

6 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I don't really care as long as the butt end doesn't catch and stick to my shirt.  That's annoying.

Which happens to me more with a split grip for some reason even with the same handle lengths. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Alpster]

I'm not a fan of natural cork, except for fly rods. My preference for casting & spinning is synthetic burl cork. It's nearly indestructable and looks nice. I have no issues with eva or hypalon.

[J Francho]

3 hours ago, Mike L said:

Which happens to me more with a split grip for some reason even with the same handle lengths. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

Typically, it's an EVA butt cap that is the issue.  Cork, metal, resin, or burl cork doesn't seem to do it.  Doesn't matter the grip style for me.  My LTB rods do this.  

[Big Hands]

I had an incident last week that I have not seen mentioned here. I snagged one of my rod/reel combos on a backcast and flung the rod and reel into the lake about 25 feet in front of the boat. I fully expected it to slowly descend to the bottom, but it just floated right at the surface (and it was rigged with a 1 ounce sinker for Carolina rig fishing) with the full cork handle pointing upwards until I made my way to it and plucked it from the lake.

 

I am thinking that it was the full length cork handle that kept it afloat, but can't say that with certainty. Whatever it was, I am thankful that I didn't have to say goodbye to a $450 rig.

 

When I bought it, I wasn't sure I would like the full length cork, but it is my favorite rod to fish with, and should I ever manage another such bonehead maneuver, I am reasonably assured to get it back without having to swim or go jigging for it.

 

I have several cork handle rods, and I always put cork seal on them before they ever see any action. Keeps them from getting too dirty looking.

[J Francho]

All my Avid full cork rods float with a reel that is less than 8 oz. I found this out in a similar way. 

[NYWayfarer]

I prefer cork, Winn, foam in that order. 

[Catt]

Ya can't run fast enough to give me a EVA grip!

 

Cork or Winn ?

[RDB]

12 hours ago, gimruis said:

Seems like most of the newer ones have split cork.  I wondered why this was

I would guess it’s a combination of cost and weight reduction.

 

I don’t currently have any Winn or carbon grips but I have several Steez rods with Eva and many with cork and am happy with all.  Grip material, wrap color, blank color are not high on my list of importance...for me it’s just cosmetics.  Half the time I cast with one hand anyway.

[GReb]

Makes no difference to me while fishing but I prefer the look of cork 

[king fisher]

I prefer full cork, but because I am cheap, most of my bass rods are split with some kind of foam.

[Scott804]

I like EVA. Mostly because it is rare to see an EVA full handle, and I really do not like full handles. But in general, I could care less. I care more about the shape and ergonomics of the grip over whether they are cork or EVA foam. A good example is the Dobyns Fury series. I heard Gary Dobyns say on a podcast that at the pricepoint really wanted cork but could not do a all cork grip so he settled for half cork and half EVA. Frankly, what it ended up being is just a small shaped handle that I wish was bigger. I would've much rather had a bigger EVA handle than the half and half smaller handle that is on there.

[Biglittle8]

I love the Winn grips on my Veritas, but cork seems to be my go to when I replace rods. I have one foam grip on a Bionic Blade that I like, but I think its more the shape of the handle that makes it comfortable.

[Mobasser]

I like the look and feel of cork handles over others.

[Lead Head]

Carbon fiber is growing on me... still haven't decided if I like it better than winn grips, time will tell. 

Carbon fiber/winn grips are what all my rods have. I'm ok with cork and want no part of eva.