There aren't many rods that don't have cork handles. Why not the other stuff?

Cork is more durable than foam rubber.

Cork is still relatively cheap, looks good, has antislippery properties, it 's highly impervious to the elements, it 's light and I think it has a special place in people 's heart. Other products like EVA or Hypalon may not have all the properties cork has.

Why leather when there are other synthetic materials that can be used ?

Other products like EVA or Hypalon

Oh man, I wish I could change all my cork handles to one of these.

Other products like EVA or Hypalon

Oh man, I wish I could change all my cork handles to one of these.

My flippin stick has eva handles and I also built a split grip SJR722 IMX spinning rod with eva. I will use it more & more on my builds.

Ronnie

EVA vs Cork is a matter of personal preference when having a rod built or building one yourself. But when it comes to factory builds (rack rods), because of the looks and durability of cork most upper end factories build their rods with cork grips now days.

If your set on EVA/Foam grips shop around you will find some out there.

Just my .02¢

Tight Lines !!!

I guess I don't like cork because of my dad. He was an excellent trout fisherman but had a bad habit of putting his hooks into the cork. Of course this tore up the cork so I immediately thought, cork bad, foam good.  

ive had eva and cork. cork is my favorite. it seems to transmit a better feel then the eva foam. but thats just my $.02

I guess I don't like cork because of my dad. He was an excellent trout fisherman but had a bad habit of putting his hooks into the cork. Of course this tore up the cork so I immediately thought, cork bad, foam good.

If he did that with EVA the results would have been nearly the same.  hook barbs will pull out EVA just as they do cork, only a tad slower.