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I have a couple of old spinning rods with some pretty beat up cork on the handles. I was thinking about getting some of that tennis racquet handle tape. Do you think this would work, or is there something else that would be better suited. I know BPS has rod handle tape, but I was hoping to find something local.
Thanks Folks! :)
Dont see why not. A tennis racket takes more abuse than a rod.
I have used it and it holds up better than the tape from BPS.
I like silicon self fusion tape, found at big box hardware stores.
Shrink tubing comes in many sizes and colors ...
McMaster-Carr
Rickie
Thank you all. Some great suggestions. BTW, these 2 rods I'm trying to salvage the handles on, are the "Tennessean" type, with no reel seats. So, I'll have to tape the spinning reels directly on as I cover them. Thanks again. :)
Why don't you order new cork handles or take them to a rod repair shop and have them redo the handles.
What "D" said
You can take the cork off yourself and order pre made handles from mudhole. Lightly sand and use some epoxy to put new ones on. You'll need a micrometer to measure the O.D. Of you rod at the butt end. Sounds complicated but it's really easy
The main reason I don't want to bring them to a repair shop is that these 2 rods are probably 50 years old or more and are some of the earliest tubular fiberglass rods ever made. I'm really not sure if they will just break on the first fish I catch, or if they'll prove to be just as good as they were back in the day. This is the reason I want to tape the reel on the cork for starters, to see how they pan out. (I do not want to use electricians tape as that's way too messy.)
One rod in particular is a "wet fly" action 8' flyrod. I purchased this blank back in the late 50's and had a local guy tie it up with spinning guides. Used it mainly for trout fishing on rocky mountain streams. Caught a lot of brookies with that rod. If it proves out as worthwhile, I'll have the handles properly re-done and give them to my grandsons.
In that case tennis grip tape will do just fine. Do what you can to preserve those old rods. They would be more valuable with the original grips anyway.
You can take cork grind it to small grains add wood glue to bind it fill bad spots, dry and sand good as new:welcome