I've seen a lot of talk about cleaning and maintaining cork on this message board.  It's had me thinking, "am the only one who likes my cork to look old?"

I've never had any problems with the cork ever deteriorating...  and I'm sitting here looking at some rods that are 10+ years old.  

Is it for aesthetics only?  Am the only one who likes old dirty cork grips?

Nope. It is a matter of personal preference.

Tight Lines!!!

It adds character to a rod.

It adds character to a rod.

Well said.

Dirty cork is earned cork.

With all the rods and flyrods i have, never cleaned the cork. Other than wiping it with a damp cloth if it gets red mud or something sticky on it, which has been rare.

I like mine with every ounce of dirt I have put on them. I have a fsihing friend who keeps his corks spotless because that way his ol lady can't figure out if he bought a neww rod without her knowin about it Yikes!!!! ;D

I like mine with every ounce of dirt I have put on them.

Then your grips will have a coat of finish!  

I like mine with every ounce of dirt I have put on them. I have a fsihing friend who keeps his corks spotless because that way his ol lady can't figure out if he bought a neww rod without her knowin about it Yikes!!!! ;D

Now that is a good argument.   ;D

I only like mine to look new when I purchase it. After that I want it to look used not abused ( because I have been using it , not looking at it ).

I like mine covered with little baitfish scales, they glitter in the sun.

My cork handles have never been cleaned. They look like rods that

have been well used and have caught some fish.

Some of them have. :

For me its more about cleaning off all the dead skin cells and oils that build up on the rod.  Im by no means a clean freak or a germ-a-phobe.  But the thought of having a thick buildup of dead skin cells and oil is kind of gross to me.

Vic