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Turned and carved fishing rod grip

John Torchick

John Torchick

Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
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Location
Cleveland, Tennessee
Looks like it might be turned and wood burned. It could be carved and then paint rubbed into the low places. It would be easier to just burn down the low places with a woodburning tool.
 
From my experience building rods I would guess that the flyrod grip/handle is made of cork. If so, it would be formed from 1/2" thick cork rings sold all over the world for this purpose. The rings are glued together to form a rough cylinder which is then turned...but not with the cutting tools we are used to using on wood. Instead, the turning cork cylinder is abraded to the desired shape and size (to fit the user's hand) with sandpaper. Initially, very coarse paper is used such as 100 grit, then progressively finer grit, ending with 400 to 600 for a velvet-like feel. The decorative pattern is formed by a pyrographic burning tool (wood burner). The pen cannot be too hot and a careful touch is required.

Dale Clemens
 
Rod grip

Hello, Dale. I have your book in my rod building library. I'm a rod builder, among other things. I'm thinking the grip looks, to me, like wood. It's color is too light to be cork, isn't it? If you look between the front end and the reel seat, there appear to be two beads cut into the material. Also, a bead in the fighting butt. Wish there was a close-up to see more detail.
 
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Hi John. Amazing way to meet! I captured the photo and used Photo Shop to crop out just the area of the rod, and lightened it. I couldn't blow it up very much, but I did get a better view. You certainly could be right in that it is wood. If wood, it would be heavy for a fly rod and the feel in the hand wouldn't be as nice as cork.

Even when blown up, the photo doesn't show us enough to be certain either way. I see the beads you spoke about, but then, I've put them in cork. The color is not too light for cork. The higher the quality of cork the lighter is its color. Also, cork is often bleached. But, I don't see any glue marks where the cork rings would be joined. Whatever the material I think John Lucas' comments regarding the lovely "carvings" make sense. I guess we'll never know, but it certainly is an attractive handle. Send me a photo if you ever get around to making one along the same lines. Nice to know that there is another turner who is a rod builder.
 
A spey rod on my lathe.....

switchrod.jpg


I use two steadies when turning a rod handle that is glued up on the blank.

TL
 
I've never turned a rod handle so I've got no experience with the weight but some of the turnings that I've made using bass wood (usually used for carving) have been pretty light.

It might be a possible alternative to cork rings...

Dennis
 
Dennis:

If you look closely at that rod photo, next to the bacote "caps" there are two layers of cottonwood bark.

Here is a better look at "Idaho cork":

cottonwoodrod.jpg


TL
 
Thanks to all.

For those not familiar with Mr. Dale Clemens, he is the founder of rodbuilding as we know it today. Thanks, Dale!
To all, many thanks for your comments and observations. Hopefully, some day, we will learn of the mystery material in the grip. Any one speak and read Korean?
Tony, I might be corresponding with you about grips, reel seats, and exchange info, etc.
 
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