Hardwood handles

[THeBLender]

Just curious, does anyone have experience with handles made of hard woods - maybe a nice zebra wood or birds eye maple?

Aside from being pretty porous (hello, balsa) why cork?

[Drake]

It's seems like PBH knew a guy that made wood handles. I think the reason cork is better is because it's light and bendable, so it flexes with the rod.

[PowerBaitHeppy]

My old man's new rod has a wood handle (can't remember what wood). He likes it. It is light, and it isn't as slippery as one would think when it get's wet. It looks great!

I have heard numerous cons to wood handles, however, on my next rod, I think I am going to give a wood handle a shot.

I could probably get some pictures of some wood handles if anyone would like to see?

[Rod]

or you can have the best of both thanks to Cheech
edit... I guess you can't post the same photo twice? Any way here is a link to a pic of a wood and burl handle
http://www.utahonthefly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7197

[THeBLender]

I'm curious, what "cons"?

[Cary]

Cons : heavier, slippery, and prone to checking.
Pros, some look *very* cool.

For practicality, durability, and usefullness, its hard to beat high quality cork.

[PowerBaitHeppy]

Blender -- Cary gave the cons.

I think that checking/splitting would be the most negative. However, like Cary mentioned, some look really nice!

[Cary]

A friend of mine turned some ebony for a matched set of flyrods. Insert and grip. It must be wieghed 16 pouinds, but dressed with gold hardware, that was a rod fit for the emmy awards.

[newtyer]

Pressure points.

Cork just looks more classic.