I have been having alot of pain in my wrist lately while fishing, so looking at my team partner (Jigisme) and how he split the handles on his rods I decided to give it a try. Pretty happy with the way it turned out and it lightened the rods cosiderably!!! Here is the pic I split 3 rods, a St. Croix, a GLoomis, and a Shimano from left to right. It was easy too. I did this because going out and buying new rods just didn't seem like the thing to do when these rods are still in great shape and it was cheaper.
I started by marking the rod handle by how I hold the rod in my hand during presentation, this will allow you for a comfortable fit. Next I broke out the drimel tool with a corse sanding head on it and starting taking off the old cork. (Note be careful not to go too deep and hit the blank with the sanding head). Once I had the cork about 90% sanded down I began to use a razor blade and carefully scrap away the left over cork. After removing the cork completely hit with a fine grade sand paper I used 220 grit lightly!! To make sure that my grips that were left in place I added a drop of PRO's Soft~Bait Glue, I know they are one of my sponsors but here is why it works best, it will soak into the cork around the blank and glue it all together instead of getting hard just on the blank! Same at the reel seat, I took the cork off above the reel seat the same way. After all prep is done and cork removed, mask off and start painting. I used a high gloss black and brown paint, 3 coats, and then 2 coats or clear coat. See pic below for finished product. This will lighten your rods alot and keep money in your pocket, instead of going out and buying all new expense rods.
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