Split Grip To Hybrid Full Grip Conversion ~

[A-Jay]

 Recently I mentioned in the 'Winter Projects' thread,

that I was in the process of converting the remaining split grip rods I fish into what I'm going to call a "Hybrid Full Grip".

Both spinning & casting rods were getting the treatment.

I've had this 'idea' bouncing around in my head for a while now but was somewhat hesitant to make it happen.

To reiterate, I am NOT a fan of Split grip sticks and felt like I have tolerated them long enough. 

I'm a two hand caster and really like something substantial to hold onto. 

Initially, I was just going to re-home many of these sticks,

but there are way too many memories wrapped up in them at this point, so I went to plan B. 

Finally took the plunge, purchased 'the supplies' and went to work. 

The supplies included a Super basic heat gun, a few packs of Accu-Cull Rod Grips, and some cork tape for a base layer under the grip.

While hiding in my basement from the excessive winter, I finished this deal up today.

Came out a bit better than I actually expected, which rarely happens and without burning my fingers or melting a rod in half.

#nosplitgrips

A-Jay

[VolFan]

That’s very nice! What cork tape did you use?

[MN Fisher]

Nice work there Andy - like I say, going DIY is sometimes your best option.

 

Though I mourn the loss of all those wonderful split-grip rods.

 

#splitgripforever

[A-Jay]

51 minutes ago, VolFan said:

That’s very nice! What cork tape did you use?

Thanks ~

The spinning rigs split grip had a small diameter, so I needed a 'thicker' product to take up the space 

to come close to the grips that are there.

Went with this

https://www.amazon.com/Serfas-Cork-Bar-Tape-Marble/dp/B001V6SA1S/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.27b41115-b206-47c3-8621-713097e8442c%3Aamzn1.sym.27b41115-b206-47c3-8621-713097e8442c&crid=10KB2GLGHC7YM&cv_ct_cx=cork%2Btape&keywords=cork%2Btape&pd_rd_i=B001V6SA1S&pd_rd_r=adebbab9-dc02-4a18-ab13-4d0e0c31b31f&pd_rd_w=qX5N6&pd_rd_wg=BcXPJ&pf_rd_p=27b41115-b206-47c3-8621-713097e8442c&pf_rd_r=ZDY2D6W1A3SPJNC22HBG&qid=1734211798&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=cork%2Btape%2Caps%2C152&sr=1-4-6024b2a3-78e4-4fed-8fed-e1613be3bcce-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&smid=ARIZE2JCT3XTI&th=1

The casting rigs had a larger diameter blank which called for a 'thinner' product.

I went with this.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B8DXGS4/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?pd_rd_i=B07B8BWWSJ&pd_rd_w=gL9Mr&content-id=amzn1.sym.f2f1cf8f-cab4-44dc-82ba-0ca811fb90cc&pf_rd_p=f2f1cf8f-cab4-44dc-82ba-0ca811fb90cc&pf_rd_r=P1YWKJJN8MD4AT3956A2&pd_rd_wg=wfqcI&pd_rd_r=e7037fe5-b1ad-4da8-9fdf-954f3f2fe504&s=sporting-goods&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

 

All completed utilizing One single layer backing with NO Overlapping.

A-Jay

 

[Jigfishn10]

Nice @A-Jay

 

It’s been quite awhile since my last build and to be fair I think it was taking a damaged full grip cork to a split grip after a failed attempt to try and repair the OG. 
 

 

I like the way it came out but I find that I don’t use it as much as I used to. May have to pirate your idea …  

 

Nice work !

[A-Jay]

11 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Nice @A-Jay

 

It’s been quite awhile since my last build and to be fair I think it was taking a damaged full grip cork to a split grip after a failed attempt to try and repair the OG. 
 

 

I like the way it came out but I find that I don’t use it as much as I used to. May have to pirate your idea …  

 

Nice work !

Just fill up the space on the blank with something that won't melt when you heat up the shrink wrap grips.

Doesn't take a ton of heat but as long as I went slow I was OK.

I used the gun on 'low' so like 300 degrees I think. 

Good Luck

A-Jay

[Jigfishn10]

2 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Just fill up the space on the blank with something that won't melt when you heat up the shrink wrap grips.

Doesn't take a ton of heat but as long as I went slow I was OK.

I used the gun on 'low' so like 300 degrees I think. 

Good Luck

A-Jay

Thanks, appreciate you!

 

In fact I have the same heat gun I got for my bucktail jig building a few years ago. Pretty much know exactly the technique you posted . 
 

Thanks again

[A-Jay]

9 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Thanks, appreciate you!

 

In fact I have the same heat gun I got for my bucktail jig building a few years ago. Pretty much know exactly the technique you posted . 
 

Thanks again

Excellent ! 

A-Jay

[spoonplugger1]

You can also ream a poly foam arbor split it and glue in place, giving you a uniform OD to work with, more economical and faster I would think than cork tape.

[GreenPig]

Nice. Interested to see what the Smallmouth think.

#IfItAin'tBroken   😆

[MickD]

15 hours ago, A-Jay said:

To reiterate, I am NOT a fan of Split grip sticks and felt like I have tolerated them long enough. 

I am a two handed caster too, and like split grips because the butt knob gives something with a good, definitive,  shape to grip.  If looking for more to grip, I would first try just a bigger butt knob.  If you turn your own from cork rings they can be about any size and shape you want.

 

Nice work, AJ.  About time to start from the bare blank with a build.  But beware, it may change your mind about some of your current rods. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Nice job. Ingenuity worthy of a rod builder!

[Tim Kelly]

Great minds! I did pretty much the same thing, though using masking tape to thicken up the blank, when I was modifying the handles of some St Croix rods years ago. They're still holding up fine. 

[T-Billy]

I like the traction that x-wrap shrink tubing provides. I've covered the cork on all my muskie rods with it.