Do you protect the cork handle of your rods with a cork sealer? I personally have been doing it since 2018, and not sure why i didn't start doing so much earlier. Looks better, has a better texture and stays clean.

Every cork-handled rod I get is immediately treated with U-40 before it even gets a reel put on it.

45 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Every cork-handled rod I get is immediately treated with U-40 before it even gets a reel put on it.

Ditto!

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

Yep

I do. But I think the cork actually feels better without it. 

I don't anymore like above it feels better without it.  Now I Cermaic coat it instead.  The entire rod and reels including the cork.  You just have to treat it often now

Nah! Never have 😉

2 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

I do. But I think the cork actually feels better without it. 

I kinda agree when cork is new. After a few seasons, not a fan.

I put on a couple of coats of semigloss polyurethane. Still feels good and only have to do it once. It will clean easy and not get pits from filler coming out.

I do wipe new rod cork with a damp cloth, sometimes there is cork/dust residue on new rods. I let the cork dry and apply U-40. Normally I re-seal my rods every other season.

This is all I use 😉

 

 

 

I have used U-40 for many years and have recently switched to Kelly's Cork Renew.

Kellys is also sold under different labels.

1 hour ago, Chris Catignani said:

I have used U-40 for many years and have recently switched to Kelly's Cork Renew.

Kellys is also sold under different labels.

That's what i use as well because i couldn't find any U-40 here in Canada.

48 minutes ago, ABU is overpriced said:

That's what i use as well because i couldn't find any U-40 here in Canada.

Canada is an L country for so many things and this is one of them

If I remember to do it when I get a new cork handled rod I do. If not, I'll use them as is for a while then clean them up with a magic eraser and cork seal then. I fish more inshore than bass, and it doesn't take long when the speckled trout are biting to filthy up a handle with scales when they're not sealed. With U-40 it seems to take a lot longer before I need to clean the cork. 

I did it once, but I prefer the look and feel of natural cork… Even when it’s dirty

 

PLUS - magic eraser can make it look almost nice is just a minute or 2 

Never.

With cork these days so full of filler, I believe sealing it keeps the filler in longer, avoiding the deep pits better/longer.  I don't detect a "feel" difference.   I guess I'm just not that sensitive to the feel. 

Never have - I like the way the weathered and worn cork looks and feels

Yes.  I also use Magic Eraser to clean them.  

Yes,  U-40

The more filler the cork has the more it benefits from sealer. Protecting your equipment is never a bad idea. 

Nope, didnt know it was even a thing until last year from these forums. I like the texture as is and a quick rub down with a cloth has it looking brand new.

 

By the time it gets worn down enough to make a difference I'm sure some rod company will convince me its not sensitive enough compared to the new rods and I cant catch fish with it. So far I'm over a decade on one rod and cork is still there. 

Same here  new rods U40... Older rods clean with Magic Eraser let dry and then light coat of U40.

I leave mine alone.  I don't even clean them that often.  It's fishing stuff.  So long as it works, that's all I really care about.  

 

Besides, if my rods are too pretty, people might notice how ugly I am.  This way everything in my kayak matches.