Does anyone know who might sell premade handles like the ones on the TFO Axiom? I don’t mean totally exact, but a mixture of cork and burl etc?
see the pic here: http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/rods/Axiom.html#T
-wayne
I saw that . . . that a birch bark handle no? I don’t have a lathe or a wood working area. Otherwise I would glue up cork rings and turn one myself, hence the question.
-wayne
Just an idea …
Could you not get a regular pre-turned grip, and a few burled cork rings? Separate the pre made one at the location you want the burled ring (exacto- knife?), glue in the burled section, file it down with a rasp, then fine sand paper, and have a grip that looks remarkably like the one on the TFO?? No need for a lathe, wood working section, or any other fancy set up.
Or, order a birch grip from Mike. They are incredibly beautiful and sweet in hand!!
You know now that’s an idea . . . . I’ll have to keep note of that . .
-wayne
Betty’s idea is tougher than it sounds. Cork once glued does not seperate very easily, and even an exacto knife’s blade is not deep or sharp enough to get a clean cut, and you’d have to make a bunch of them.
I know that grip it looks neat, and thats why people make custom grips. The rod you are looking at is an eye catcher because of that grip which helps sell the rod.
The only real way is to use cork rings and make one yourself or easier yet if you only want one grip…get somebody to make one for you.
By the way from that picture, that grip looks like rubberized mixed with regular cork.
Smernsky’s got a point. I’ve only replaced rings, and shortened grips, but never in the same operation. Flat sanding after careful cutting did provide a really smooth surface for gluing new rings on to the grip. May still have to give it a whirl. The possibilities intrigue me. Adding burled end pieces would probably be easier than adding mid grip. Cut off a piece the desired length, flat sand smooth and glue on a burled section, same length as what was cut off?
Scott Parsons at Scott’s Custom Rods will make WHATEVER you can dream of AND his prices are VERY reasonable. His work is top quality and he really knows the business.
Here’s a link … http://store.scottscustomrods.com/halfwellscorkgrip.aspx
Although the link is to a half wells in full burl, he will do ANY type of grip in any mix of cork, composites, wood, etc. He is quite the artisan.
Note sent to Scott this evening. I’ll let you know what I find out.
-wayne
Here is one of many I have made. This one uses burl cork for trim bands and the “white” is made from corian and scrimshawed.
Do you make handles for other people?
All the time…but I dont conduct business on this board.
Wayne,
if you send me the cork, burl cork and design (picture) length and diameter desires - I can glue them up and turn them for you for free - Mike
Smernsky: Understand completely. I’ll contact you via private message for further discussion.
Mike: I’ll contact you via private message also.
Let me take a look at some cork options and get back to you guys.
Thanks! -wayne
Heck, buy some cork rings, go get you a length of 1/4" all-thread rod, some 1/4" nuts and fender washers, a rasp and some sand paper. You can use the all threaded rod to slip your rings onto and clamp them together in glue-up, then chuck the whole thing into a hand drill and use the drill to turn the handle for you while you shape it. You may need to prop the drill up in some manner if your hands get tired of holding it with one hand and shaping the handle with the other, but in a shorter lengths of handle should turn find while you just let the opposite end from the drill dangle free.
Buy some extra cork rings while at it and practice with two or three glued up handles. At a reasonable price you can experiment with cigar shapes, and others and find what shape/size might be most comfortable to your perference.
Have you done this? How hard is it to hold the free end still etc?
-wayne
I’m really smitten with the grip I made with a coarse rasp, a finer rasp, and some sandpaper, all done by hand without the need for a turner. Bought some burl rings from ******, glued them together and clamped them like the previous poster, then just started rasping. Lots of fun.
Pictures??? . . .