This is something I came up with after seeing some pics of epoxy ramps on custom rods.  It's more sensitive than foam (I don't know about cork as I don't have a cork handle to compare), and it's not very expensive either; you just need a lot of epoxy and some fiberglass tape.

I started by removing the old foam handle.  This was made easier for me by the fact that when I built this rod the first time I didn't use enough glue, so the handle was only adhered to the rod at the back of the handle.  Then I scuff-sanded the blank a bit to get what you see in the first pic below.

I then wrapped cord around the exposed blank.  I didn't have any fiberglass tape or I would have used it for this.

The next pic shows the handle after epoxy and with more cord wrapped.

Then more epoxy.

At this stage, I found some fiberglass tape and started using it.  I wish I'd had it when I started the project, but oh well.

After that the only thing left was to keep adding more coats of epoxy until I got a smooth surface.  I painted the handle black before the final coat or two of epoxy, but you could do any color you like.

Pics Below.

Here's the finished handle.  I really like how it turned out; it's smooth and comfortable, and it looks pretty good too. ;D

BTW on the final two coats of epoxy I epoxied over the reel seat as well as the handle.

Thanks for reading.  Let me know what you think!

Ben

Looks great FW. Very nice idea.

I'll have to PM you my fishnet split grip a did a while back. Maybe we could compare some notes. I might have to steal some ideas from ya. LOL

8-) Nice job. Very interesting idea.

Seems to me like it would add a lot of extra weight to the rod, and maybe be a little slippery when its wet... That said, it looks pretty good.

Some rod builders are making grips with a foam core, carbon fiber skin and an epoxy finish. These are are actually a little lighter than cork. Probably not practical in a repair scenario like this. The finish is actually less slippery when wet.

DVT- Foam core would be lighter I agree. However in this case when adding the rope/string and that much epoxy it would be heavier than cork, eva, hypalon or the afore mentioned foam core. 

Less slippery than what, cork or eva?

Have heard comments that when wet, the carbon skin grips actually get "grippy". I'm just getting ready to try some for myself and will post my first-hand observations. There is no doubt that the grip in the OP is heavier.

The improved aerodynamics should compensate for any added weight. 

Sweet looking stick!

The added weight will lessen the efficiency of the blank actually.  The lighter the build, the more the blank will retain its designed properties and characteristics. 

That rod is SICK

The added weight will lessen the efficiency of the blank actually. The lighter the build, the more the blank will retain its designed properties and characteristics.

I have no idea what that means.

I find weight behind the reel makes rods feel lighter when fishing. A lot of saltwater rods are built using this and similar techniques.

The added weight will lessen the efficiency of the blank actually. The lighter the build, the more the blank will retain its designed properties and characteristics.

I have no idea what that means.

I find weight behind the reel makes rods feel lighter when fishing. A lot of saltwater rods are built using this and similar techniques.

I agree with reason.  If anything the added weight of the epoxy grip will make the rod feel more balanced.  It came out really nice.  If you palm your reel most of the time the grippiness shouldn't be an issue.  I like it.

I would think that the balance of the rod would be affected by the reel your installing on it as well as location on the blank it's installed on.

I really didn't think about how the handle would balance when I was making it.  The rod felt fine when I was testing it, so I'm not going to worry about it.

The rod balances right in the middle of the fore-grip when paired with an Abu Garcia C3.  It's rather front-heavy, but that won't matter due to the way I hold it.  I palm/thumb the reel with my right hand and grip the but of the rod between my arm and my side. 

Thanks for all the kind words guys. 8-)

Some rod builders are making grips with a foam core, carbon fiber skin and an epoxy finish. These are are actually a little lighter than cork. Probably not practical in a repair scenario like this. The finish is actually less slippery when wet.

Here is an interesting thread on this topic.  It starts out about line, but transitions to grips.

http://rodbuilding.org/read.php?2,352474

Really interesting, and quite handsome.  Slip won't be a problem because your shape is right.  Most rods are front heavy to some degree-only way in many cases to avoid that is to put the reel so far forward the length behind the reel is too long.  Since you don't really need a front grip for most fishing, the rod would be really stunning if you took off the eva and did a similarly shaped ramp off the front of the reel seat.  I don't know if sensitivity is better with this than a lighter design such as foam, my opinion would be it is not since foam is lighter and really not any more absorptive of energy than all the cord you used.  But I really have no data, just an opinion.  Nice work!

When I said foam I was talking about rigid foam, like in reel seat shims or the expanded foam used in graphite weave grips.  I think the rod maker was referring to EVA foam, and yes, this should be more sensitive than that foam.