Some people like the known advantages a split grip rod can offer the angler.

We have heard a reduction in a rod's overall weight true, but not by much, but they sure make a rod look great.

We have heard that it increases sensitivity IMHO, yes and no.  It depends really on the design of the split grip. Since not all split grips are equal in design, this increase in sensitivity must depend on the design of the part of the split grip under the hand/palm holding the rod.

If the shaped cork is short enough such that the palm is in contact with the blank, then I would say that the increase in sensitivity is there so most likely yes.

If the shaped cork is long enough such that it extends past the hand/palm holding the rod and as a result, the handle is in full contact with the cork and not the blank, then I say that there will likely not be an increase in sensitivity.

I came across an article about St. Croix Legend Tournament rods, which I think are awesome looking by the way, in the Sportsman's Warehouse periodical in which either the author of the article or St. Croix claim the following:

The hottest rods on the competitive bass fishing circuit now come with split-grip/supergrade cork handles. This exciting new handle design increases casting and hook-setting performance by creating an improved fulcrum point while reducing the overall weight of the rod.

Sportsman's Warehouse Periodical - Sportsman's News April 2008 Page 18.

Increasing casting distance and hook setting performance? Hmmmm It is not so much that I doubt the claim as much as I, being a visual learner, am having trouble seeing how the removal of a small amount of cork can move the fulcrum point substantially more than a non split grip rod to have the rod display such an improvement in those two traits.

The article is not clear as to whether it is St. Croix or the author making this claim and for this debate I guess it doesn't really matter.

Are there any rod builders out there that can substantiate or debunk the claim of improvement of the rod as the result of attaining an improved fulcrum point? Or is this sheer marketing hype?  I can see how improving the fulcrum point can do this, but I am questioning how the removing of that little of cork can improve that point significantly.

What say anyone else?

-ib

Well, I'm probably one of the few rod builders on this site who doesn't like them. I mean, they look good and all, but I'm old school and like the feel of the cork better. I'm not too worried about the amount of weight that will be saved. To each their own. It's all personal preference in the end. My rods are as sensitive as any I've ever used, so I don't need anything more. I have no trouble what soever feeling a lite bite. That being said... the split grips are nice, but just not for me. I do however, like them on a spinning rod! It's all in how I probably hold the rod. I don't buy the increased hook setting and better casting part of it though. Casting distance has more to do with guide placement, guides and rod actions. I think you can get more hook setting power with a full grip. JMO though.  

Saving weight isn't always the goal... using better but heavier, more dense, exotic burl which is too heavy in a full length grip is my choice.

As a rookie builder my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt. I think it's mostly hype. Custom builders can do some very cool thread work in that area along with epoxy ramps. Not to mention the savings for the builder as the cost of cork has sky rocketed.The cost concerns are probably more of a factor for the big companies.Custom builders in my opinion are under paid for the product they build and seriously doubt they build split grips to save money.As far as the sensitivity thing goes?Maybe it's an asset in the fore grip area.Who needs all that cork up there?If you really want to increase sensitivity in a rod look to decrease weight in the guides. If someone could invent a guide made of a material as lite as graphite yet as strong as traditional guides they'd be very very rich.I love the looks of split grips and so does every single person I've shown my rods too.

i love split grips.

that being said:

i DONT think that they add to sensitivity

i DONT think that they noticably reduce weight

and i TOTALLY DONT think they increase casting distance :-?

that statement by the st. croix dude was 97% marketing 3% truth. the only way i could see that design giving you any more distance would be that the grip design "forces" you to hold the rod all the way down by the butt (unless you're weird and hold the blank while you cast). holding the rod this way could give you a tiny bit more leverage, but not much to make it a selling point. just marketing. IMO.

doubt they build split grips to save money.

You're right, because it actually cost more to build a split grip.  The time it takes to shape 2 grips and either add checks, ramps or take care not to need them, outweighs the "savings" of a few cork rings.

doubt they build split grips to save money.

You're right, because it actually cost more to build a split grip.  The time it takes to shape 2 grips and either add checks, ramps or take care not to need them, outweighs the "savings" of a few cork rings.

Actually a rod builder on tt already discussed this and it is cheaper for him to do a split grip than a full rod, cork is not cheap it is 3.50 a ring for top grade he claims. And random made up statistics ftl :

doubt they build split grips to save money.

You're right, because it actually cost more to build a split grip.  The time it takes to shape 2 grips and either add checks, ramps or take care not to need them, outweighs the "savings" of a few cork rings.

Actually a rod builder on tt already discussed this and it is cheaper for him to do a split grip than a full rod, cork is not cheap it is 3.50 a ring for top grade he claims. And random made up statistics ftl :

You may be right for the extremely small percentage of people who (occasionally) use CG-1 or "flawless" cork... but there is so little of it around and none of the factories use it, for most of the rodbuilding world, it's cheaper to build a full length grip.  Unless your labor isn't counted, which of course wouldn't be an accurate representation of the actual cost of the rod.

I build all my rods with split grips and exotic burl cork:

Casting:  I like the feel of the butt grip on the second hand when doing two handed casting.  I see no other functional difference other than, as previously mentioned by someone else, with exotic burl, which is about twice the density of regular cork, weight savings can be significant.  And it doesn't take me that long to form the extra grip piece.  I also like it that the area between the rear grips is good for adding my specs to the blank + the blank decal, if there is one.

Spinning:  Similar to casting:  

With spinning there is little need for cork directly behind the reel seat, so I use just a little to balance the looks.  If I were to go all the way back to the butt with exotic burl it would get pretty heavy and costly.

In front of the reel seat I have a very short section of cork which tapers rapidly to the front with an epoxy ramp, giving a very comfortable conical section that encourages the fingers to contact the epoxy/blank for max sensitivity, and appearance wise, balances well with the short section behind the reel seat.

Great looking rods, minimum weight with exotic burl, function as well or better than non-split grips per above comments.

Hi, The main advantage I can think of with split grips is it gives you a place to put the rod and line rating without adding a bunch of epoxy in the front of your grip. Any weight in front of a grip is not good. I go through big name tackle stores and marvel at all the pretty glitter and decals that goes sometimes almost a foot up the blank, which intern robs the blank from any performance stand point, it also makes a rod that would never balance properly. To me all that glitters is not gold. Fishing rods are tools, as such should be built to make the blank perform as best it can. A good blank can be a great fishing rod, A great blank can be a bad fishing rod if its main goal was to catch a buyer and not a fish. I think it comes down to what rods you have used to be able to tell the difference. Nothing wrong with split grips if they serve a purpose, which they do. I inserted a picture of a couple rods I am working on. A spinning rod and a casting rod. Both have carbon fiber over foam handles. I need to apply a decal with rod and line ratings on both rods, but not in front of the handle. If you think a fishing rod is a tool, split grips make sense. Have a great day, Rich.

Man those rod grips look great! ;D

Hi Bass n Bows, I did not want to hijack this thread, but thank you for your compliment. Have a great day, Rich.

Hi Bass n Bows, I did not want to hijack this thread, but thank you for your compliment. Have a great day, Rich.

Don't worry about highkacking, those are awesome looking grips! Thanks for sharing your great works.

Where did you get those carbon fiber handles? If I ever take up rod building, I definitely would like to give those handles a shot. Thanks.

Hi islandbass, Thank you for your compliment. I made those handles with the help of a couple articles that where published in RodMaker Magazine. I give a little explanation what it took on another thread about a couple carbon fiber handles. Thank you again for your compliment, have a great day, Rich.

Having a few split grips, and a few non split grips the advantages are clear.

There really aren't any.

Having said that, No FRONT GRIP is an advantage. Having direct contact with the blank instead of touching cork, does add to sensitivity.

A few of my rods have a full bottom grip and no front grip. That's my favorite.

There is 0 question,  IMO,  that no foregrip greatly increases sensitivity. I finally switched to Kistler Rods this year and the split grip/foregrip is something I very much like. I do not know if the split grip really increases anything but I think it may help w/ sensitivity as there is less shock absorbtion in the rod. But I do not think it has any clear-cut amazing advantages. The foregrip,  on the other hand,  does. The foregrip on a freshwater bass rod is literally one of the most pointless thing and it is VERY surprising to me that nobody thought of it sooner. It's no coincidence that so many rod companies are rapidly switching over to no foregrip and split grips. Soon,  it will be harder to find a full grip than a split/no fore grip.