Vote for your favorite handle style.

Cork. Foam grips remind me of Ugly Stiks. 

I have some of both. It really doesn't matter to me at all. However, foam sometimes seems to be a bit harder to clean.

I would choose the rod. Based on sensitivity, length, action, and weight....Then choose what handle I wanted.

But I prefer cork

I voted foam, for practical reasons.  I really love my cumara's foam grip and the high density eva stuff on JDM rods.  Lastly,  did you ever consider the golf grip type handle used by American Rodsmiths?  Held a rod with it at iCast and loved it.

If I like the rod for what I'm buying it for then the handle doesn't matter.  But for bass fishing I want cork only (that's just me, so I voted cork).  For catfishing I use foam since Ugly Stiks have foam and are great rods for this, however I discovered that catfish slime on a handle will leave places where the surface of the foam has been removed.  Don't know why, maybe it's an acidity of the slime??  Either way, after fishing a pond for cats and getting slime on my hands, cleaning off as best I can, and then gripping the rod again, I found it removed the surface of the EVA in several places where the slime touched it.  It's purely cosmetic damage, doesn't effect the rod, and since it's just my cheap catfishing rod then it doesn't bother me.

I've got a pretty good collection of both and will continue to purchase both.

I prefer the feel (and look) of cork, but handle material isn't a deal breaker.

Tom

I build cranking rods with eva and feel rods with cork...  I like cork better but after a coupl hours of cranking, I really like eva.  ...lol

I have both cork & foam, but i like the feel of cork

Cork over all is my favorite. But I also like foam on cranking and trolling rods.

I don"t think it matters.

Cork. I feel foam reduces the sensitivity. JMO

For some reason, I have always liked cork. 

Cork. Foam grips remind me of Ugly Stiks.

haha, my thoughts exactly.

Cork. Foam grips remind me of Ugly Stiks.

haha, my thoughts exactly.

I love my Shimano Compres but I like Ugly Stiks equally as well, but for completely different reasons and uses.

Sorry, didn't mean to detract from the original theme of this thread.  I can see where EVA would be a comfort factor for long periods of usage where sesitivity might be deemed less important such as with crankbaits or spinnerbaits.  However I want all the sensitivity I can find for ALL baits cause I want to feel that bait bumping into a stump or dragging the bottom and feel the bottom composition (rocky, sandy, muddy).  So for that reason I stick with the cork handled rods for bass fishing.  Since I catfish with the rod propped up in a fork, handle in the dirt, the handle doesn't matter but since I want Ugly Stiks for that then EVA it is.

Well, there is a difference on the longer run, foam with use and time deforms in a good way, customizes your grip to the exact shape of your hand, cork never deforms that way.

Both tickles my fancy, but cork is slightly preferred.

Cork sucks.

Cork sucks.

Nice. Thank you for your insightful answer. :-/

Cork,

Foam grips are available in two foam compositions: "Hypalon", which I personally prefer,

and "EVA" foam, the acronym for Ethylene Vinyl Acetate.

Cork grips are somewhat more sensitive than foam grips for the simple reason

that cork is harder than foam, the same reason why tungsten is preferred to lead.

For use in saltwater though, where a slight loss in sensitivity is rarely an issue,

foam grips are often preferred because foam offers several advantages over cork.

1) Foam is softer and more ergonomically comfortable than cork.

This is appreciated during a full-day session with slammer blues.

2) Foam doesn't get slippery, even when exposed to blood and fish slime.

In contrast, cork grips in a mackerel run soon feel like a waxy broom handle.

3) Foam does not show dirt or get sooty-looking like a soiled cork butt.

4) Although foam is plush and comfortable, Hypalon foam wears like iron!

Not Cork, Not Foam

For the freshwater angler who's looking for maximal sensitivity, there are "carbon grips",

which are harder than foam and harder than cork (like having the blank-in-hand).

I own several freshwater outfits that use carbon grips and they are surprisingly comfortable.

http://216.149.215.9/scans/carbonGrips_w.jpg

Roger

Cork. Foam grips remind me of Ugly Stiks.

i have like... 6 ugly sticks and 5 of them have cork handles.