I don't care, don't have a preference either way. 

There is more important aspects to a rod for me than what the handle s made of. 

 

Mike 

I was a narrow minded cork or pass for years. These days s quality Rod will have quality EVA which I've developed a liking for. I also like the Winn grip on my Lews HM85 rod. 

My next purchase will be another Lews HM85. The Winn grip is super comfortable. 

I also was impressed with the Winn Grips when I visited their booth at the FLW Cup in Hot Springs. They referred me to the Russ Lane video on YouTube to see how easy it was to retro-fit. I didn't want to take the chance on an expensive rod, so I gambled the $20.00 for the grips on a Lightning Rod I had laying around. Took about 30 minutes. Now it is by far the most comfortable rod to use I own. My All Star WR1's & 2's will be next.

I almost exclusively use split grip cork. I understand that eva is lighter and not that much less comfortable but when I'm using a light weight rig, it makes no sense to me to add weight to the back to balance a 50 size reel that only weighs 5oz and change. Unfortunately I can't fish with full handles at all, it's very uncomfortable to me.

I like cork, but not too picky. Longer handles are Where the party is at though 

5 minutes ago, jitterbug127 said:

Longer handles are Where the party is at though 

Just curious as to why - they are definitely less comfortable than the pistol grip.

3 minutes ago, hezeez@gmail.com said:

Just curious as to why - they are definitely less comfortable than the pistol grip.

Just personal preference I guess. I feel like part of rod is missing on pistol grips 

Foam, cork, full, split... there's no right answer for me, but I know the when I pick up the wrong answer.  In other words, it just has not be annoying in my hand, and I'm good. 

17 minutes ago, jitterbug127 said:

Just personal preference I guess. I feel like part of rod is missing on pistol grips 

Ok - thanks - was just wondering if there was a specific advantage to the long handled rods.  I see people using the butt of the long handle on casts, but that doesn't work well for me.  I get my best casts with a baseball type maneuver and just 1 handed.

1 minute ago, hezeez@gmail.com said:

Ok - thanks - was just wondering if there was a specific advantage to the long handled rods.

I have to make every cast like this, after a bout with tendonitis in my shoulder, a few years ago.  Now, I don't even think about a cast without my left hand on the bottom grip.  Takes all the stress out of my right shoulder, and requires less energy.  I used to love my pistol grips, but I probably wouldn't like them now.

2 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I have to make every cast like this, after a bout with tendonitis in my shoulder, a few years ago.  Now, I don't even think about a cast without my left hand on the bottom grip.  Takes all the stress out of my right shoulder, and requires less energy.  I used to love my pistol grips, but I probably wouldn't like them now.

Totally understand now - makes perfect sense.  Thank you for the explanation.  

I always use my left hand on the rod too. 

I've switched on and off from EVA and cork, but recently the grip I have come to like and WILL stick with is Winn Grips. I build my own rods so I buy there handles but you can buy tape to wrap over your cork or EVA handles on rods you already have. Winn makes handles for golf clubs and now make grips for fishing rods and WOW they are comfortable!

Hopefully those win grips last longer than their golf grips.  Replaced many of win grips in my day.

I prefer cork but some foam is okay so long as it's not too sponge.

I prefer cork 

I have never liked the feel of cork, but I know I am in the minority.  It may be memories of older, cheaper rods with cheap cork handles that always felt slippery.  I got used to foam and now it just feels comfortable.

The bait monkey has been whispering "Winn grips" in my ear recently...

Full foam, then full cork.  I don't care much for the split grip.

Cork rods suck in my opinion. I rather use EVA, however nothing beat Winn grip handles!

I don't think there's any right answer.  To me, cork just feels better.  I also have different preferences, I guess, for different techniques.  If you look at my kayak, you'll see a little of everything except Winn grips.  It isn't that I don't like them, so much that I've just never fished them.  

I am a traditionalist and it's cork, full rear grip if I can get it except my Extreme HP's.  The handles on split grips are too short for my hands (except HP's.).  Cork has become extremely expensive and the wine industry is buying it up at an alarming rate.  There will be a time when cork will rarely be seen on a fishing rod. I do not care for Hypalon/EVA.  It's Okay on my Furys but cork is my thing. 

Personally I will always go with a full cork handle if the option is there. The Avid line is one if my favorite rods ever and alot of the reason is I just find that handle so comfortable, same with the Elites.

I have Winn, cork, and foam in my arsenal. I really don't have a preference.

On 7/13/2016 at 10:25 PM, EvanT123 said:

 good cork is not cheap. 

 

even bad cork isn't cheap!

I'm palming the reel or holding the seat or trigger. In any case little contact is actually sustained with the grip material. The shape, fit and aesthetics are where it's at for me. 

My preference is full cork with no foregrip, however my favorite rods have a split Tennessee grip.