Okay, so I'm kind of lost here. I just bought the new Cashion Icon Spinning Rod, and I'm kind of confused. My Elite Rod from Cashion had the handle at the reel seat made from carbon fiber, due to its higher sensitivity but now that handle has been switched to EVA foam on the Icon. The rear handle however is carbon fiber and Kevlar. My question is, how do y'all hold your rods? It just doesn't seem practical to hold the rod by the rear grip, so why would they use the more sensitive handle material for that part?

The addition of the EVA was probably due to either cost, or comfort. I haven't heard of any, but they also may have had issues with the carbon handles, causing the switch. 

 

The carbon fiber at the butt is probably there to look cool.

Okay. Thank you for the input. I was just curious if there is any advantage to the split grip, other than giving your hand a place to hold the rod for casting.

3 hours ago, Logan Spinks said:

Okay. Thank you for the input. I was just curious if there is any advantage to the split grip, other than giving your hand a place to hold the rod for casting.

It can also offer slight weight savings. The amount saved depends on the material. Usually it's detrimental to the rod's balance, though that's not always the case. 

Call and ask the folks at Cashion.  They will explain their exact reasoning for doing what they did to the new line of rods, then you will understand.  It will also maybe give them some feedback on what they may be able to do differently.  A good friend of mine fishes their rods and is always calling them and asking questions.  They seem to be really good people that care about their customers.

EVA on butt grips is annoying.  It catches on your shirt.  Cork, plastic, or CF doesn't catch.

^^^^this