Seems there’s been a bit of talk about handle materials lately, including the use of birch bark, which I think looks great. Haven’t heard much talk about using wood handles though, so thought I would bring it up. I’ve been putting wooden handles on probably the last 10 rods I’ve built and have found them to be fantastic. At first I was worried about the weight issue, but by the time you have the thing reamed out to proper size there is not really a whole lot of wood left, and the weight is not that noticable. Heres a pic of a handle I made last summer out of African Padauk and Maple, laminated together.
It seems like to get some good quality cork you have to pay an arm and a leg, so I switched to wood. The handle in the photo only costs me about $15 to make. I’ve fished a 9 hour day on the water with it and it is very comfortable. The downside of course is that you have to have access to a lathe to be able to do these handles.
Has anyone else tried using wood for handles? If so any pros/cons you’ve encountered?
I stayed away from wood because I thought it would add weight, feel colder in cool weather, and be slicker if you have wet hands. You also remove 6-8"of rod flex that would only be a problem with larger fish. You seem to be saying that my first three concerns are not conerns. Is that correct.? Have you found wood prone to dings from rocks?
I guess I’m not sure about the coldness factor, that may be a valid point. Normally when its cold outside, say like when I’m fishing for steelhead I normally have a glove on. I suppose the wood would probably be feel a little colder in cold weather. The slickness is actualy something that surprised me. I was worried about that when I first started making them and was happy to have it not be an issue. I guess it would depend on the finish that you use. I have used mostly tung oil finish, and once tried a wax finish. Wetness doesnt seem to effect them for the finished I have used.
I am always worried about dings from rocks and things of that nature. The wood really makes a difference in that deparment. If you use woods, like purpleheart, hard maple, padauk,zebrawood, bubinga, they are very hard woods and dont seem to get dinged up unless you are really hard on them. I have turned a handle from walnut, but cant comment on it’s durability as I gave the rod away as a gift. I try to stay away from the softer woods just for that fact.
I think your right about the rod flex, but if the rod is flexing down in the last 6 to 8 inches, you are probably using too light of a rod.
If you have the means to make a wood handle, I would give it a try. There is a lot more time in the fitting and finishing, but when your done you have a beautiful and unique handle.
Very cool rod ! I’m glad you started this topic because the rod that I’m currently making, is with a curly mapel handel and seat . Is this going to hard enough ? Also , tung oil is what I was planning on useing , and sounds like it should be OK .
I’ve made many bamboo rods with wooden handles. My favorite personal rod (stolen in a burglary last year) was a 6’6" swelled butt dry fly rod with a walnut handle. I find the wood handles to be very comfortable in all aspects. As for having an effect on the rods action, I only use these on rods with a swelled but, so it was a non-issue.
2BP - Thanks! I think that curly maple should be hard enough. You should be able to get a feel of the hardness of the wood once you get it rounded over on the lathe. If you can make a dent in it with your fingernail, then it is on the softerside, and you will just have to be careful how you handle it. Tung oil should work and look great. I normally use about 5-10 coats of Formby’s glossy tung oil, buffing between coats with OOOO steel wool.
I think the curly maple should be a nice handle, I’ve never had a chance to make one out of that wood. You should post a pic when you are done.
Thanks for adding this angle on the grip material issue. Wood probably antidates cork as a material. I can’t imagine any wood short of balsa being more fragile than cork. I am used to seeing slippery looking varnished wood (probably ash) on cheap boat rods. The custom grips shown are a refreshing change from that. I hope more people who have experience using such rods chime in.
