Are We Witnessing The Extinction Of Cork Grips? 2024
trevor reply :
It seems that more and more rod manufacturers are going with foam grips. 
:angry: So do you guys like these new foam grips, and do you think they are here to stay, or will cork make a comeback?
Stasher1 reply :
I prefer cork, but with the scarcity of quality cork and the rising prices on what cork is available, I think it's just a matter of time until EVA (or something similar) replaces cork on all but the most expensive (or custom) rods. It seems as though it's already happened in the ~$100 rod market. 
FWIW, that foam/cork stuff that Fenwick uses looks pretty cool.
J Francho reply :
The same thing happened in the 90s. That's where the split rear grip started.
Canga reply :
i prefer cork to foam, but see cork coming to an end in the less than $150 market, and some above that.
i agree with stasher1, the TaC material fenwick uses is pretty good stuff, i had a walleye elite tech and a scheels walleye series rod that both had the material and it was very nice, even when wet.
the less manufacturers use cork, the more available it will become and will likely make a comeback, as with most things, its cyclical
Stasher1 reply :
As I said earlier, I prefer cork but given the choice between poor quality cork with lots of filler and EVA, I think I'd have to take EVA.
BrASSmonkey reply :
I think I am in the minority as someone who prefers the feel of a good firm EVA grip. I like that it doesn't show dirt. It also ends up saving me money with my personal builds lol.
midnighthrasher reply :
I prefer EVA over cork. I dont like cork at all. I sold all my crucials and baught all cumaras.
LuckyHandsINC. reply :
I also really like eva. The 5 combos I use most are 3 cumaras with patriarch XT for casting and 2 veritas with patriarch spinners. All foam grips and knobs. Next combo is gonna be a villain rod with an mgx also all Eva grips and knobs
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
On 7/15/2011 at 9:37 PM, Stasher1 said:I prefer cork, but with the scarcity of quality cork and the rising prices on what cork is available, I think it's just a matter of time until EVA (or something similar) replaces cork on all but the most expensive (or custom) rods. It seems as though it's already happened in the ~$100 rod market.
FWIW, that foam/cork stuff that Fenwick uses looks pretty cool.
Exactly. I said the same thing in the new Shimano reels thread. High quality cork rings that are 1/2" thick (when I can get them) cost about $2 ea. A 10" full cork handle uses $40 of materials plus glue plus time and labor to shape. Obviously a bigger buyer isn't paying as much but the principal is the same. There are some excellent EVA and Hypalon materials out there that look good, feel good and offer lots of design options.
J Francho reply :
Burl cork, baby. Burl. 
MarkM reply :
Cork all the way for my bass rods and inshore saltwater. EVA or similar for larger/offshore-type saltwater rods.
grimlin reply :
I like the foam grips.
Honestly though it really doesn't matter to me.
SirSnookalot reply :
Probably have no problem with foam rod grips, using them on all off shore rods now, but hope reel grips don't go that way.......I like rubberish (ya know what I mean) power grips
ChiCityBasser reply :
I actually prefer the Eva/Foam grips with a few of my Cabelas XML having cork but I have started to replace the with the Prodigy model or other models with EVA handles.
philsoreel reply :
I was just about completely sold on high quality eva, but I bought a GLoomis and have grown to love the cork on it. It's a completely different feel than my previous, lesser quality cork. It's hard to explain, it just feels right.
CWB reply :
I prefer cork but either would be fine as long as it's not split grip.
Bass_Fanatic reply :
To be honest...I cant even tell the difference when Im fishing, so I dont really care. As long as the rod fits my technique and is sensitive I could care less about the grip.
breezy reply :
I think full cork grips are practically dead already and cork period may be next. Understandable with the high cost vs current alternatives.
Personally it all depends on the specific material. My preference is a full cork grip as long as the cork is high quality. I have a few rods with cork handles and covered in pits where the filler has fell out over time that I always think about replacing them with EVA. On the other hand I have a few rods (1 Dobyns Champion in particular) that have immaculate cork that I wouldn't trade for anything. I like the way it looks, the way it feels...and it doesn't get hot in the sun.
I have an Abu Vengeance rod with EVA or some other synthetic grip that feels wonderful and has held up very well. But I did not like the material on the Veritas at all. It was extremely slipper when wet and after only a few months of use had a few spots where it's scratched, gouged out, etc. Not sure how it was even damaged but it was.
The way things are going I can definitely see cork completely disappearing from most 'budget' rods. I wish manufacturers would give us more choices (EVA vs cork, split vs full, etc) but with the economy I'm sure that's not going to happen. I guess when cork disappears from most/all commercial rods it's time to go custom. 
trevor reply :
Here is my list of things I hate about EVA:
1. The look: in my opinion its very ugly. On the other hand a nice cork grip is beautiful, especially the custom grips with multiple kinds of cork.
2. In my experience with EVA, some grips tend to "rot", I'm not sure of the term. They shrink and feel like they've been dried out.
3. EVA seems to me to get pretty hot on hot days.
4. I HATE HATE HATE the feeling of my wet/slimy hands sliding on EVA. To me it's like nails on a chalkboard. Just this fact alone would be enough for me to buy custom rods if the switchover is ever made. Again, can't stress enough how much I hate the feeling when it slips through my wet hands. Ugh.
tracker01 reply :
No foam for me, grips or handle. Just do not like the stuff.
Fishing Rhino reply :
I have two Carbonlite and a Browning spinning rods with the "foam" grips. At first they felt odd compared to the cork grips on all my other rods. But, I've come to prefer the more slender grip. When I pick up one of my cork grip rods, it feels like a club. It may be me, but I have better feel with the thinner grips.
It's not unlike golf clubs, the thicker the grip, the more they take hands out of the equation. Some pros use grips on their putters that are two inches in diameter to prevent them from getting "wristy" with their hands. Grips can be used to help reduce slicing or hooking. A golfer will tend to slice with thicker grips, and hook the ball with thinner grips.
Maybe the thinner grips allow for better transmission of feel to the hands.
When all is said and done, grips, like just about everything else in fishing, it's user preference. Some like the esthetic qualities of particular rods and reels, but I buy them to fish with, not to admire. When fishing, I rarely look at them except when changing rods, or for possible damage, such as bent eyes.
dodgeguy reply :
if you're gonna fish with eva buy an ugly stick and match the rest of the rod to it.cork rules.
Hooligan reply :
Ultra high grade cork like on the NRX and GLX is my preference. Though on other rods, the preference is EVA; I like that it doesn't get slick and grimy when wet or after a lot of use. I've had many instances where cork gets slick. Since using rods with other material for handles I haven't had that issue. Ultimately, burl cork on all my rods would be the preference.
Grey Wolf reply :
On 7/18/2011 at 2:50 AM, dodgeguy said:if you're gonna fish with eva buy an ugly stick and match the rest of the rod to it.cork rules.
What a great open mind you have ! 
trevor reply :
On 7/18/2011 at 2:50 AM, dodgeguy said:if you're gonna fish with eva buy an ugly stick and match the rest of the rod to it.cork rules.
dodgeguy reply :
On 7/18/2011 at 5:52 AM, Grey Wolf said:What a great open mind you have !
thank you.they tried this crap on us years ago and had to go back to cork.foam is to soft and doesn't transmit vibration like cork.i will admit that american rodsmith's new golf club style grips look interesting but i've never tried them.foam is cheap and looks cheap.
BassThumb reply :
On 7/15/2011 at 10:04 PM, Stasher1 said:As I said earlier, I prefer cork but given the choice between poor quality cork with lots of filler and EVA, I think I'd have to take EVA.
Well said.
Stasher1 reply :
On 7/18/2011 at 8:32 AM, dodgeguy said:thank you.they tried this crap on us years ago and had to go back to cork.foam is to soft and doesn't transmit vibration like cork.i will admit that american rodsmith's new golf club style grips look interesting but i've never tried them.foam is cheap and looks cheap.
I thought this as well, but EVA isn't like the squishy foam crap on Ugly Sticks. It's much firmer and transmits vibration just fine.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
All EVA is not created equal. There is some really firm and durable material available. In the end it's a preference. If the feel of cork is what you prefer, I'm sure you'll be able to get for a price.
Scorcher214 reply :
I don't see any benefits of using cork over foam. Unless you like the look of cork. Are there any benefits of cork vs. foam other than price?
OkobojiEagle reply :
I've never owned a foam grip rod... can I shape it with a piece of sandpaper the way I do with my cork handles?
oe
Bass Junkie reply :
Personally, its gotta be cork.. I can't stand anything else. Dosen't feel right.
BobP reply :
Like a lot of guys, I like cork if it doesn't have a bunch of filler in it. But considering the cost of cork, I think YES, we are slowly seeing the extinction of cork grips. They are just getting too darned expensive. If I am building or buying a rod, the question becomes - am I willing to spend an extra $50-100 for cork versus EVA. Most guys will not spring for the extra cost and the next generation of fishermen will probably come to think of EVA as the "natural choice".
hatrix reply :
I guess it would only really matter much to me on spinnig gear. Generally when using casting gear only the outside portion of my left hand ever really touches the grip since I am constantly palming my reel. On spinning gear though I hold the front cork in front of the reel and slim cork is the way to go, I don't like the rods with a thicker cork grip or foam for that matter.
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