The real problem is that hypalon and EVA foam are dogs to work with.

I had a pair of standup tuna rods built in Shark River, New Jersey.

I had to twist the rodmaker's arm to get blue hypalon grips, although he agreed that Hypalon is the way to go.

Roger

Roger,

I disagree that foam is hard to work with, 3 of my personal rods that I built for myself have Hypalon grips. I love working with foam. I think it is easier to shape and manipulate than cork. When 4bizz gave me the specs for his giant swimbait rod, I was very pleased that he wanted foam grips. He gave me very specific dimensions for the split grips and the foam made it easy to make exactly what he wanted. I also like exotic burl cork. I don't do anything with conventional cork like you see on most rods. Light weight is it's only advantage. JMHO

Ronnie

The real problem is that hypalon and EVA foam are dogs to work with.

I had a pair of standup tuna rods built in Shark River, New Jersey.

I had to twist the rodmaker's arm to get blue hypalon grips, although he agreed that Hypalon is the way to go.

Roger

Roger,

I disagree that foam is hard to work with, 3 of my personal rods that I built for myself have Hypalon grips. I love working with foam. I think it is easier to shape and manipulate than cork. When 4bizz gave me the specs for his giant swimbait rod, I was very pleased that he wanted foam grips. He gave me very specific dimensions for the split grips and the foam made it easy to make exactly what he wanted. I also like exotic burl cork. I don't do anything with conventional cork like you see on most rods. Light weight is it's only advantage. JMHO

Ronnie

I'm not a rod builder, I can only extend what I've been told by a rodmaker.

The custom rod-builder at Mac's Bait in New Jersey came close to refusing to build my rod because I insisted on hypalon grips.

If I'm not mistaken, Reel Mech feels the same way about working with foam grips.

Back on point,

If we agree that hypalon is superior to cork, then what is the real reason why cork grips have become more popular, I'd really like to know?

Roger

I'm not a rod builder, I'm only extending what I've been told by a rodmaker.

The custom rod-builder at Mac's Bait in New Jersey came close to refusing to build my rod because I insisted on hypalon grips.

If I'm not mistaken, Reel Mech feels the same way about working with foam grips.

Roger

I hope you don't think I was doubting your word Roger. I just don't understand why any rod builder with a decent lathe for shaping cork would have trouble with foam. I also like foam because I can use my "Fordom" wood shaper on foam, it destroys cork.

You get ready for another tuna rod, you just let me know. I won't complain about the foam grips.

Ronnie

I'm not a rod builder, I'm only extending what I've been told by a rodmaker.

The custom rod-builder at Mac's Bait in New Jersey came close to refusing to build my rod because I insisted on hypalon grips.

If I'm not mistaken, Reel Mech feels the same way about working with foam grips.

Roger

I hope you don't think I was doubting your word Roger. I just don't understand why any rod builder with a decent lathe for shaping cork would have trouble with foam. I also like foam because I can use my "Fordom" wood shaper on foam, it destroys cork.

You get ready for another tuna rod, you just let me know. I won't complain about the foam grips.

Ronnie

No, I never thought you were doubting my word, but I'm genuinely curious about the disappearance of foam grips (I love them)

As a retired tool-&-die maker, I can't say that I'm surprised that you have no trouble turning foam.

I have never turned Hypalon or EVA per se, but I have turned foam products in a lathe

that displayed very annoying springback (the apparent rub). In most cases, increasing the back-rake of the cutter

and stepping-up the RPMs gave the material enough rigidity to control the diameter.

In any case Ronnie, it's good to learn that there's still one source of hypalon grips

Roger