I hate the size of the cork grip on one of my rods.  Can I just use regular sandpaper to make it a little thinner and if so what grit would be best?

yes you can. take your time and you can really tune it up.

what if you wanted to turn it into a split grip?   what grit shud be used?

Start with 100 to get the shaping and work your way up to 600 to get the smoothness (both feel and look).

what if you wanted to turn it into a split grip? what grit shud be used?

sell the rod and buy a split grip.

JMO.

Have been telling myself sooner or later to try it on a BPS rod. Even with hands the size of mine, never liked the humps that they brag about...

skillet

what if you wanted to turn it into a split grip? what grit shud be used?

Rubba's advice is perfect. I've done this to two rods, one casting and the other spinning. It was a blast both times.

Just a word of caution to those that want to sand any portion of cork for whatever reason.  Cork sands off VERY EASILY, even with a fine grit paper like 120.  So go slowly and make sure you are even in sanding. If you sand off too much, tough cookies. ;D

what if you wanted to turn it into a split grip? what grit shud be used?

sell the rod and buy a split grip.

JMO.

I thought about that, but it's a Loomis BCR803, I just bought a Kistler Helium LTA He69MH and love the split grip...I love that Loomis rod too but like the split better...

what if you wanted to turn it into a split grip? what grit shud be used?

sell the rod and buy a split grip.

JMO.

I thought about that, but it's a Loomis BCR803, I just bought a Kistler Helium LTA He69MH and love the split grip...I love that Loomis rod too but like the split better...

I wouldnt practice on a Loomis.

I split griped all of my team daiwas and removed all the cork from in front of the reel seat it makes a big difference in the sensitivity of the rod IMO

To those of you who have taken the cork off down to the blank in certain places, did you find a finished blank underneath it that matched the rest of the rod or was it lacking in finish anywhere??  And how did you get the residue off of the blank??  I could see cutting away the bulk of the cork but for the fine finishing of the blank how do you get the excess glue off of it??

I am very interested in this split gripping of full cork rods. Would anybody that has done so mind posting a picture?

I am very interested in this split gripping of full cork rods. Would anybody that has done so mind posting a picture?

I saw on here over a year ago where someone did a St. Croix rod.  Can't think if it was an Avid or Premier but it was a fairly expensive rod he did.  Showed pictures of his progress along the way too.  Might be able to find it under a search though I've never been able to make the search turn up much of any kind of results for me.  Finds everything but what I want.  

what if you wanted to turn it into a split grip? what grit shud be used?

sell the rod and buy a split grip.

JMO.

I thought about that, but it's a Loomis BCR803, I just bought a Kistler Helium LTA He69MH and love the split grip...I love that Loomis rod too but like the split better...

You will screw with the 803's balance if you split the grip.  I'd leave it as is...

Drywall screen works well for taking off alot of cork. Be careful to not get the grip out-of-round. Leave some product so you have room to smooth the finish. If you end up spliting the grip you'll probably end up refinishing the blank you expose.

I am very interested in this split gripping of full cork rods. Would anybody that has done so mind posting a picture?

I've done it, but the greatest challenge for you would be how you prefer to have the epoxy underneath removed. I know that acetone dissolves epoxy, but I do not know if there are ill effects it could make to the blank such as weakening the graphite and I wasn't willing to find out.

So I used sandpaper to remove it. It takes longer and if the blank is painted you will also wind up sanding off the paint.  Some I think have used heat, and if not done right, you could weaken the blank.

I can send you a link to how I did it if you're interested. Just PM me.