Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

I like cork for fresh water and EVA for Saltwater. And if I am fishing for bigger saltwater fish I will only use EVA for fore grip and put on a "Slick Butt" so it is easier to get out of the rod holder, especially if you have a fish tugging on the rod binding butt in holder.

Capt Lou

I personally prefer graphite handles except for my salt rods some of those have EVA grips far more sensitive and as light or lighter the cork!

MITCH Loc: Pensacola, Florida

I prefer cork over EVA foam for several reasons. 1. Cork absorbs sweat, Eva does not! 2. Cork is easy to refresh. 3. Cork has better grip than foam. 4. Cork will last forever ( pretty much). 5. If you leave something laying on cork, it will take the pressure, foam won't and sometimes won't bounce back. Could go on and on, but enough for now!

BassHackin01

Cork is a favorite, for Bass , crappie/pan and prefer foam for cat/rod holders. But a old friend of mine years ago showed his take on preserving cork handles with a thin coat of polyurethane, it really protects the cork from soaking up water and dirt (wipe clean) doesn’t make it slick either. Just my take been doing this for years and the cork still looks new after ten plus years!

Hheiler Loc: Ft.myers fl.

not just mitchell. A number of companies did this trick. A few years back there was a shortage of good cork. a lot of grips were made from ground cork and shaped for foregrips and lower grips. Mostly on cheaper rods. if you look at a cork rod handle you should be able to see a seam where the veneer meets, it is very hard to see. I repaired many handles and those with veneer you cannot even sand smooth as the veneer is so thin. Some solid glass rods advertise blank thru handle, but the main blank only goes to reel seat and another section of blank is glued into the lower porrtion of handle Only high end rods have grade A cork. Cork is harder to repair than foam. Use plastic wood for filling voids.Let dry and sand

johnklang Loc: Oakhurst, CA

I have a Mitchell 300 and some Berkley Cherrywoods amongst others. Neither expensive. Both have cork veneer. Unlike the rest of the posters, I'm like Roberto Duran, I have hands of stone and don't ever notice anything from one handle to the other. I still catch fish.