Just thought I would share a pic of some rods I customized. I turned them into splitgrips and painted the blank to the first eylet. The rods are different brands so that is why they look a little different. It is pretty easy to do, and cost very little. It was fun too!

hey those look nice.  Great job on the split grip work also.

Did those rods have full cork handles before? cause I tried to do that to few older rods and it looked bad?

hey those look nice. Great job on the split grip work also.

Thanks!

Did those rods have full cork handles before? cause I tried to do that to few older rods and it looked bad?

Yes they did. A Box Cutter, Dremel tool, and sandpaper, were the tools used.

Nice job!  8-)

Nice job. I just did one too, a St Croix Triumph, 7'MH BC. Does that make it a Mojo? LOL  ;D

I will post a pic soon.

Nice job. I just did one too, a St Croix Triumph, 7'MH BC. Does that make it a Mojo? LOL ;D

I will post a pic soon.

Only if you did the mod in Mexico.

Good job! I did the same thing to two of my rods a couple years ago. One spinning (rapala) and one casting rod (lightning).

They both came out great too, as did yours. And you're right. It is a blast to do.

Okay, those look great!  I think I'm going to take a crack on doing one. I've got a 7ft MH Lightning Rod that I rarely use but I might use it more if it had split grip handle.

Sounds like project time at my house!

Is that reel on the far right missing a handle?

Is that reel on the far right missing a handle?

I think it's there.

Cool illusion though.

How do you do this I love split grips but not many brands have them is it hard?

I forgot to add... any tips on what NOT to do when doing this?

I'm pretty handy but no need to reinvent the wheel if you know what I mean. 

I have 3 Team All Stars that I can see gettin this treatment real soon, when I can find the time that is.  That definitely looks like a pro job.

How did you get all the extra glue of the rod from where the cork used to be?

How did you get all the extra glue of the rod from where the cork used to be?

I did this with sandpaper. I heard of people using heat to soften the epoxy, but I did it with sandpaper before knowing this was an option.

I would be interested to know there is a method to remove the epoxy chemically in a way that won't damage the blank. I think this would be a better way to go.

Rapala Spinning Rod

Lightning Casting Rod

When held, the palm is in contact with the blank.

Is that reel on the far right missing a handle?

NO, All the handles are there LOL! ....

...to another question about what not to do. The main thing I would NOT do is "whittle" the cork away, or cut into the blank. BE CAREFUL!. Don't cut the blank. If you use a knife to chip the cork away, take your time, dont "whittle" it, just gently pop it away. Other than that, It is easy.

Acetone might work to remove the glu from the blank. I used sandpaper also. Depending on the makeup of the glue, I know you can by cyanacralate remover at hobby shops like hobby lobby. it is with the cyanacralate, usually in the model airplane isle. Haven't tried to remove it chemically, but it is a good idea. If you use acetone, keep it away from plastic.

Islandbass, That rod looks great!

Here is the Triumph. I think I will sand down some more this weekend. Remember...you can always take some off, you cant take some on!

This rod will actually get some use this year. I think I cought about 5 fish on it last year.

Cool! That looks killer.

Ok but here's my issue. When I try this on some rods I want to remove the cork above the reel seat for sensitivity reasons. Will sanding the rod blank hurt sensitivity??

when I took the foregrip off, there was a layer of glue on the blank. I was carefull to sand off the glue without sanding into the blank. same w the bottom cork.

I don't see why removing the foregrip from an average blank would give you gains in sensitivity.