[BJay]

Hi guys
Are the black rings in cork handles actually cork, like dyed cork or are the rings man made? If man made ,are they more durable than cork? If man made what is the material? If a complete handle was made of the material how would it feel? Like cork? Or what?
Bjay

 

[Lazer]

Are you talking about "burnt cork"? If that's the case, they look like almost-black burl cork and yes, they feel like cork.

The rod, however may look like the Darth Vader of of rods and could put the fish off the bite. :saeek:

L

 

[sinktip]

I would say that the feel is slightly more firm than cork and is tackier. The latter is a good thing when pinching mono shooting line as it seems, to me at least, to slip less on the forward stroke. I was curious how it would feel in the rain but no problems.

 

[Peteo]

The black rings can be made out of a bunch of different things depending on the rod builder. I use burnt cork or burl, but others use rings cut from craft foam or even gasket material. I've seen all kinds of crazy materials and colors used as accent in handles.

 

[Nooksack Mac]

I've built a number of rods with cork, burnt cork, and rubberized cork in various combinations. The last two are more resistant to shaping (using a coarse wood file, then sandpaper, then emery paper) than cork, but they yield to a few extra strokes. They don't finish as smooth as good cork, but the whole grip feels fine to my touch.

 

[BJay]

Hi Sinktip
Those handles look good as far as I'm concerned. I like the white rings top and bottom. Sets off the handles nicely. What rods do they come on, or where did you get them? Are the handles standing up OK?
Bjay
I'm 72 but my wife says I'm coming on 7 when it come to new rods and fly fishin stuff in general.

 

[Beaker's Dad]

I have also noticed some Meiser rods with a very dark black ring. Much darker then the above photo. What are they made of?

 

[sinktip]

BJay,

These two are the work of Bob Meiser. My first Meiser was traditional cork in the upper handle with varnished burl in the lower. For these I told Bob to switch it up and go for something similar to a rod he did for Gr8Lakes Flyer. I have been pleased so far. I have only 7 days on the 16' version and only 3 days on the 13' one. I like the feel though and as mentioned above, it has a slightly more tacky feel when wet.

'Tip

Beaker's Dad,

Bob would have to say for sure but I believe they similar to the setup in my pictures only varnished. I have one of his rods that in addition to the dark rings has twin rings of red/orange gasket material as contrast. http://www.speypages.com/speyclave/showthread.php?t=109986

 

[Robert Meiser]

Thanks Tip ...

BJay,

We have been using the Burnt and Burl cork for grip assemblies for nearly 15 years now, some partial grips, and some total ... And we have found this material to actually hold up better then the finest Flor grade conventional cork rings.

We build proprietary rods for a couple of camps in BC and Russia, and they specifically ask for entire composite grips for their camp rods because of their durability and unique look.

But like most good things there is always a trade off: When using cork composites, you will find that their use may add a few tenths of an ounce of additional weight to the finished grip assembly ... And it's appearance is (to some) non-traditional.

Overall we have found most two handed anglers do realize that a bit of additional weight at the butt section of the rod will actually assist in swing balance, and do like using this material for that reason. This especially true of the longer, more powerful two handed rods.

We do always offer the use of composite cork rings in the grip assemblies as an option to the more traditional full Flor grade cork grips to our clients, and most will opt for composites in their grip assemblies.

At the end of the day, we have found that the use of Burnt and Burl cork rings in grip assemblies is not for everybody <> But we have also found them to feel great in hand either dry or wet, and will definitely be more durable then even the best conventional Flor grade cork rings.

Beakers Dad ... (Beaker was my favorite ... You should be proud !!!)

The "Black" is Burnt cork ... It looks this way when wet or with sealant.

Meiz

 

[fredaevans]

One look at the photo and "Those are Bob's rods."

BJay,

These two are the work of Bob Meiser. My first Meiser was traditional cork in the upper handle with varnished burl in the lower. For these I told Bob to switch it up and go for something similar to a rod he did for Gr8Lakes Flyer. I have been pleased so far. I have only 7 days on the 16' version and only 3 days on the 13' one. I like the feel though and as mentioned above, it has a slightly more tacky feel when wet.

'Tip

Beaker's Dad,

Bob would have to say for sure but I believe they similar to the setup in my pictures only varnished. I have one of his rods that in addition to the dark rings has twin rings of red/orange gasket material as contrast. http://www.speypages.com/speyclave/showthread.php?t=109986

Then I saw the next post; my call got it right in 5 seconds. You can't miss one of his builds. :smokin:

 

[BJay]

Thanks guys
Bjay

 

[GR8LAKES FLYER]

For these I told Bob to switch it up and go for something similar to a rod he did for Gr8Lakes Flyer.

This is my 16' 6/7/8 Highlander that sent Duggan begging to Bob :smokin:




Mike