Another Idea for your grips

[ET custom flyrods]

This grip was made using 1/4" composit cork flooring underlay ( identical to cork board cork).
It really makes for a different looking grip and one nice feature is you dont have to fill holes (for those that do) like you would in regular cork. Of course I couldnt stop there and had to add some burnt and rubberized cork for contrast and a gold inlay (still wet) in the fighting butt. Everything was sealed with U-40.
What can I say............it's a disease..........LOL

[ohiofly]

Looks great! I do like the contrast. How's the feel of that rubberised stuff?

[ET custom flyrods]

Thanks,,,,,The feel of the whole grip is really smooth. I finished the entire grip with 400 grit to get it that way.

[skip16510]

Smersky What did you use to cut the rings??? I'm assuming a hole saw ???

[ET custom flyrods]

No.... I was afraid to use a hole saw and have the cork tear up ,so I cut it into squares (with a sissors) a little bigger than needed (or bigger than the cork rings). (The 1/4" hole in the middle was made by driving a piece of 1/4" all thread through the middle of each square).
After I glued the whole mess together (rings and squares), I took a wood rasp and made the squares somewhat round (which was easy)
Then the rest was just a sanding venture to true everything up and get it all to the same size. From there I shaped the grip.

Same thing held true for the fighting butt. Hope this helps.

Note: The grip turned out to be incredibly strong much to my suprise. This was my first attempt with this type of cork. I'm sure the method could be streamlined with further experimentation and that will prove out as I know I'll be making some more down the road.

[skip16510]

Thanks for the Info I have been wanting to try it for some time now

BTW I see you are from Pa Do you ever make it to Erie for Steelhead??????

[ET custom flyrods]

Not yet , but I'd like to. I have been to lake Ont. for Salmon. Like to try steelhead one year