What a great open mind you have !

thank you.they tried this crap on us years ago and had to go back to cork.foam is to soft and doesn't transmit vibration like cork.i will admit that american rodsmith's new golf club style grips look interesting but i've never tried them.foam is cheap and looks cheap.

As I said earlier, I prefer cork but given the choice between poor quality cork with lots of filler and EVA, I think I'd have to take EVA.

Well said.

thank you.they tried this crap on us years ago and had to go back to cork.foam is to soft and doesn't transmit vibration like cork.i will admit that american rodsmith's new golf club style grips look interesting but i've never tried them.foam is cheap and looks cheap.

I thought this as well, but EVA isn't like the squishy foam crap on Ugly Sticks. It's much firmer and transmits vibration just fine.

All EVA is not created equal. There is some really firm and durable material available. In the end it's a preference. If the feel of cork is what you prefer, I'm sure you'll be able to get for a price.

I don't see any benefits of using cork over foam. Unless you like the look of cork. Are there any benefits of cork vs. foam other than price?

I've never owned a foam grip rod... can I shape it with a piece of sandpaper the way I do with my cork handles?

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Personally, its gotta be cork.. I can't stand anything else. Dosen't feel right.

Like a lot of guys, I like cork if it doesn't have a bunch of filler in it. But considering the cost of cork, I think YES, we are slowly seeing the extinction of cork grips. They are just getting too darned expensive. If I am building or buying a rod, the question becomes - am I willing to spend an extra $50-100 for cork versus EVA. Most guys will not spring for the extra cost and the next generation of fishermen will probably come to think of EVA as the "natural choice".

I guess it would only really matter much to me on spinnig gear. Generally when using casting gear only the outside portion of my left hand ever really touches the grip since I am constantly palming my reel. On spinning gear though I hold the front cork in front of the reel and slim cork is the way to go, I don't like the rods with a thicker cork grip or foam for that matter.