How do you grip your rod?

[stef]

I'm building a rod for a Christmas gift and need some help. I'm shaping the cork grip for a guy who is very tall and has big hands. Suggestions on grip shape and thickness would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[Grizz]

What weight? I don't know jack 'bout turnin' grips, but I prefer the old standard style with a big bump for the thumb to rest on, so when I'm tangled up with some poundage, I can really put the wood to 'em.

I guess on the heavier weights, I'd want a little nub on the end to prevent slippage.

peace

[Norm]

http://www.powerfibers.com/PowerFibers_Issue_17.pdf


Your old buddy Ralph Moon wrote and artical in the current issure of power fibers on Grips. Go to page 23 of this PDF file, These alot of fluff but there is some good read also. There is even a page showing different grips and the dimentions that is excellent for making grips. I read somewere to be carefull of over sizing grips even for people with big hands, big grips can be less comfortable and harder to control. I have pretty big hands and standard size grips feel better than a grip I tuned over size.

Norm

[whitefoot]

stef, can i ask the return question: I was wanting to build a rod for a woman with hands smaller than mine. should i compensate with a skinnier grip?

[stef]

It's a 9' 5 wt.

I love Ralph! Great read Norm! Thank You. I won't over size it.

I really liked the cross-section picture of the cane rod too. That is some beautiful stuff!

Whitefoot...I have tiny hands and found that the factory finished rods gave me calluses (sp?). The first rod I built was a 3 wt and I loved it so much I used it for everything, even when a larger weight would have produced more fish. I realized that it was the smaller diameter on the grip that I loved.
I would definately make it proportionally smaller!!!

P.S. Lucky girl!!

[RAW]

I have small delicate hands similar to a womens yet I consider myself macho. I love my 3-weight and it could very well be that it feels better in my hand. My 6-weight grip gives me calluses in a few places too.

Just incase anyone is wondering. I have a hand fetish. I can't stand dirt on my hands, especially engine oil from cars and such. Drives me nuts! I wash my hands way too much and remove the natural oils. So yes, boys, I do lotion my hands. They are so fresh. Now if I could just work a little harder on the pure heart part. :)

[Rod]

Not intended to hijack this thread but seemed like agood place for this question.
How many of you seal your grips? The reason I ask is I just bought a used 7 wt ( is this to big for local streams:)) and the grip was a little dirty. I sanded it lightly with som 400 grit and it looks brand new.
I have never sealed any of my grips, do they come sealed form the factory?just curious what others opinions are.

[Cary]

I dont like to seal cork, I prefer to go au'natural

[Grizz]

I hear ya! No sense greasin' up the wood, to slippery.

pea's & butter

[dblbuny84]

the best way to clean up a cork handle is dawn dish soap or any de-greaser for that matter, is this correct?

[Cary]

grips should never be cleaned, and vests should never be washed,

This be the incontrovertible truth, anyone who offers a differing opinion on this is clearly a heretic

[Rod]

I didn't realize I was committing sin.

In my defense, it wasn't MY dirt.

[GotFish?]

No comment.

[jdubya]

vests should never be washed

vests CAN be washed?? i never knew that. Don't the boxes in the vest make a ruckus in the dryer??