I am planning on building a couple new rods 4/5wt 8feet and 7.5 feet. I have ordered some cork grips then I saw a wood grip that looked very cool but I thought it would unbalance a light weight rod. Then I started thinking about light weight woods. Of course balsa comes to mind but it is very fragil, then I thought about aspen and thought that might work. Just curious if anyone has tried wood grips or if it a bad idea all together. I know during World War 11 rods came with wood handles due to cork shortage. Any thoughts on the subject?
Wood Grips
- Thread starter bojonjovi
- Start date
MoscaPescador
Well-known member
darwin
Well-known member
Very nice craftsmanship. 
fredaevans
Well-known member
Have one of those on my Anderson 5wt 2-hander. I think he called it a 'Cobra Hood.' Sweet stick bye the bye for summer run fishing. Long/light enough for small Steelhead (our usual
) but if you hook one of our October 'B-runs' it will meet the task of a 10#'er.fae
Edit: Random thought here only as the full wood handled rods above are BEAUTIFUL! But wouldn't those be pretty slippery when wet?
Lee, your wood handles are beautiful!
I have never given second thought to the grip on my rods, cork was what they alway were except an old rattan wrap on an ancient cane rod. You must have an interesting firewood pile.
Auntie Em,
I would like to see a picture of the birch bark handles if you have one, they sound different also.
Ard
I have never given second thought to the grip on my rods, cork was what they alway were except an old rattan wrap on an ancient cane rod. You must have an interesting firewood pile.
Auntie Em,
I would like to see a picture of the birch bark handles if you have one, they sound different also.
Ard
Ard, here's a picture of one. In fact it's a tutorial from a guys blog.
Fly Fishing Rods #4: Turning the handle - by Matt Vredenburg @ LumberJocks.com ~ woodworking community
I love the looks of a full length bb grip too.
Fly Fishing Rods #4: Turning the handle - by Matt Vredenburg @ LumberJocks.com ~ woodworking community
I love the looks of a full length bb grip too.
fredaevans
Well-known member
Amazing!
:thumbsupu
:thumbsupu
I have a full wood reel seat/grip on a few banty boo rods. Have never experienced them feeling slippery. The birch bark grip has never felt slippery either, and has the added grace of holding warmth from my hand as I cast. It's on a 7'6"-5#. And have I said, "I love it!"
As in mojo's post ... they do look really strange during the glue up phase, but when you remove anything that doesn't look like a griprolleyes in the shaping, it does turn out beautiful! Mine is a full BB grip ... will try to get some pictures of it for you.
As in mojo's post ... they do look really strange during the glue up phase, but when you remove anything that doesn't look like a grip
rolleyes in the shaping, it does turn out beautiful! Mine is a full BB grip ... will try to get some pictures of it for you.Spalted maple is easy to find. Just about any maple that is about to rot or is rotting will have it.
The birch bark is beautiful. Here in the southwest, birch is uncommon. However, one of my buddies is a wood carver and many of the carvers use cottonwood bark. A quick search revealed that cottonwood is a preferred bark among carvers. I might try to make a cottonwood bark grip and see what happens. I suspect I would glue up rounds. I am thinking glued up rounds would probably offer the most stability.
I talked to my buddy about cottonwood bark and he felt it would be to soft and absorb water, then he said it is kinda like cork; don't figure. I was kayaking yesterday and found a couple large chunks of cottonwood bark. I will let them dry out and experiment a little bit. Otherwise I think I think I will probably try some wood grips.
I talked to my buddy about cottonwood bark and he felt it would be to soft and absorb water, then he said it is kinda like cork; don't figure. I was kayaking yesterday and found a couple large chunks of cottonwood bark. I will let them dry out and experiment a little bit. Otherwise I think I think I will probably try some wood grips.
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I think it is gorgeous but what is it. I can't figure out what wood he is using in the center or if it is wood. It almost looks like leather.