There are in my arsenal of spinnings a few rods with cork handles. One of them - GLoomis Forcelite IMX - the most favorite and deserved. Fish they caught in the 10 years that I catch them, a huge amount. The rod is universal, length 8.6 feet, test up to 2 ounces (56 gr.), action - extra fast. Very sensitive tool, and the fish keeps just fine.
Old Loomis was able to make great rods, and this series of rods (Forcelite)-the last before the sale of the brand Gloomis company SHIMANO-Very good. Understanding people are still chasing these rods on the secondary market...
This rod has a cork handle. In the days when i bought it, almost all the rods were made with such handles. Now the cork is found replacement and most of the rods are equipped with handles of EVA material, and 10 + years ago it was the cork was the reference material. Cork well lies in the hand, does not slip and warms the palm during the fishing in cold weather. But there are cork arms and a flaw. No matter how well you care for them, washed and cleaned after each fishing and before winter storage, the material in the most porous places begins to paint out, and on the surface of the handle are formed by the caverns. The same trouble happens with the handle of my favorite rod...
Since I’ll soon take my reels for maintenance, and in the same workshop the rods are being repaired, I decided to give Looomis for repairs. Although in principle it is quite easy to bring the cork handle of the fishing rod in order and at home.
You don’t need much for this repair - water-resistant PVA glue, a piece of cork, coarse sandpaper, white gouache (or other whitewash).
On emery paper we make the required amount of cork dust from a piece of cork, mix it with PVA glue to the desired (thick) consistency. If necessary, lighten the resulting putty add a little white. Apply the mixture tightly in the caverns on the handle and dry. After drying, grind the handle with fine emery paper. That's all the repair ...
How to do all this in stages, I suggest to look at the video plot of the rod-builder and master of repair of the rods of Anton Kozlitin.
Well, I still take the rod to the workshop))). I have no place at home to do this. Everything is crammed with fishing rods and baits))).
