Originally Posted by
Lonnie84
I am looking at some new rods that are exactly the same except they are offered with your choice of cork handle or eva handles. Got me thinking I own rods with both and it never really made a noticeable difference to me as to which one I was fishing with at the time so I dug up a little info that I posted below to see if it would help me decide. I think the biggest thing that jumped out at me in my research was if you plan on using your rod in a rod holder it can be rough on cork from jerking it out of the holders and the rod holder itself can create an indention in some cases.
Do you have a personal preference? Make your choice in the poll state your comments below.
Cork
Material overview
Cork is a natural material; more specifically, it is a layer of internal bark of a specific species of oak. While light and buoyant, it is hydrophobic and impermeable, meaning it will not absorb any liquids such as sweat or rain.
The last great feature (that is worth mentioning for grips) is that it is elastic, and therefore tends to form into specific shapes with pressure.
Cork as grips for poles
The use of grips for poles started with fishing rods - the lightness and hydrophobic nature meant they would float while staying dry when fishing. The idea worked well and seasoned fishers found that the grip started to take the shape of their hands over time, which made them more comfortable.
Foam (specifically EVA)
Material Overview
EVA (or Ethylene-vinyl acetate) is a polymer that can be made in a variety of ways based on the ratio of Ethylene-vinyl to Acetate. When it comes to what we want to look at, EVA is made in a foam form with a high ratio of VA, making it firm (compared to low VA, which is what makes cling-film).
EVA creates a material that is light and strong, with a high crack and abrasion resistance. As a foam, it is hydrophilic but dries extremely fast. It is soft yet holds its original form over time.
Cork or EVA, the reality
You might be a real believer that cork handles are great, that they feel comfortable and "don't sweat", but in reality, they are an out of date technology. Nature did a great job of showing us the ropes by making cork, and we made EVA foam based on what we learned. EVA is lighter than cork, less abrasive, retains its shape, tends to deteriorate slower, feels warmer to the hands and is much cheaper to make.