EVA Handles or Cork Handles?

[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a real believer that cork handles are great, that they feel comfortable and "don't sweat", but in reality, they are an out of date technology.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.

[deathb4disco]

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.

I highlighted the key phrase.

[Alphahawk]

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.

I can pull you up a bunch of articles that will tell you cork is lighter than EVA. It depends on the cork used....cheap cork has a lot of filler making it heavier than premium cork.....and the EVA comes in cheap and good quality also. Depending on the rod and how you're fishing will determine what you want....and the types of grip and reel seat. If you are spider rigging...trolling...with rods in the rod holders...it will just be a personal preference. If you are a cast and retrieve guy and sensitivity means everything...and you are using a full grip....cork is the way to go....it is far more sensitive than EVA. But if you are using split grips and your fingers are in contact with a graphite reel seat EVA will many times be on the top part of the grip. Many of my rods have neither cork or EVA on the handle....reel seat. I have a lot of rods with Fuji SKS or TVS reel seats....the whole hand is in contact with the blank. Good cork is getting harder to come by.....and it carries a high price tag. EVA is cheaper than premium cork.

Regards


Regards

[mchech]

If it is in my hand I want cork. Personally I believe cork is more sensitive. If it spends it's life in a rod holder I don't care so EVA is tolerable.

[Rockhitter]

Cork for sure. Just feels better.

[USMA65]

As the first person to vote in this poll, I should like to state that my reasoning is based on my desire to see the USA support Portugal as much as is possible ;-)

[kycreek]

Cork all the way for me.

[deathb4disco]

Good cork is getting harder to come by.....and it carries a high price tag.

Yep. That's one reason premium fly rods cost what they cost.

[silverside]

I slightly prefer the cork. When using a foam handle I can't shake the thought that I'm using a Nerf fishing pole.

[M R Dux]

Cork


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