Hi I've 2 Harrison Torrix 3.25 with full duplon handles but am considering getting 3 matching 3.25 greys aircurve with cork handles...
But I'm having that dilemma what will CORK be like the only rods I've even had with cork were float rods...
Who uses cork handle rods here and what are the good and bad points.
I have been reading old reviews on the aircurve and they are good but I know how good my torrix are and its the matching 3 rods I'm really after and without getting a 3rd made as close as possible I see buying 3 new as my best option.. or is ditching the torrix a bad move ??
Questions Questions look forward to cork handle users opinions ...
Regards Steve
But I'm having that dilemma what will CORK be like the only rods I've even had with cork were float rods...
Who uses cork handle rods here and what are the good and bad points.
I have been reading old reviews on the aircurve and they are good but I know how good my torrix are and its the matching 3 rods I'm really after and without getting a 3rd made as close as possible I see buying 3 new as my best option.. or is ditching the torrix a bad move ??
Questions Questions look forward to cork handle users opinions ...
Regards Steve
In reply to Post #1
Corks are fine. Ditching Harrison's for greys? Madness
Corks are fine. Ditching Harrison's for greys? Madness
In reply to Post #2
I concur.
I concur.
In reply to Post #3
Me too.
Me too.
In reply to Post #2
Totally agree
Totally agree
In reply to Post #2
Thanks for confirming my fears ... I'm feeling the same I need to try get a 3rd made as close as possible ... any recommendations Surrey area thanks guys
Thanks for confirming my fears ... I'm feeling the same I need to try get a 3rd made as close as possible ... any recommendations Surrey area thanks guys
In reply to Post #1
I love cork handled rods. Only way to go for me.
I love cork handled rods. Only way to go for me.
In reply to Post #7
Not so much the cork that's the issue,swapping from Harrison to Greys is the thing I would think is crazy but that's just my opinion
Not so much the cork that's the issue,swapping from Harrison to Greys is the thing I would think is crazy but that's just my opinion
In reply to Post #6
Who built them in the first place?
Who built them in the first place?
I would rather have 1 slightly different Harrison than 3 greys rods
Personally dont like cork on a carp rod. My barbel rods yes but not my carp rods. Another option is sell the two you have and get a set of 3 mint matching second hand torrix. It will prob be cheaper than having a single one custom built to match and that way they will all be the same. Theres always a few sets if second hand torrix for sale.
In reply to Post #11
I've got cork handles rods and I really like them (Harrisons).
My other half has a set of the cork handled Aircurve - They are a decent rod. If you can pick them up cheap then don't be put off!
I've got cork handles rods and I really like them (Harrisons).
My other half has a set of the cork handled Aircurve - They are a decent rod. If you can pick them up cheap then don't be put off!
Love cork handled rods, carp and trout 
Why not give your 2 existing rods and have a rod builder match a rod and have them all cork handled at the same time. So technically you have 1 new rod but 3 new rods in cork
Why not give your 2 existing rods and have a rod builder match a rod and have them all cork handled at the same time. So technically you have 1 new rod but 3 new rods in cork
I would ditch my 3.25 torrix for aircurves in a heartbeat, a much nicer blank imo.
Can't stand Cork handles though, full dupion, or abbreviated would be my choice.
Can't stand Cork handles though, full dupion, or abbreviated would be my choice.
cork up to 2lb test curve for me ... Anything heavier non cork
In reply to Post #1
cheers for comments ... I will certainly still consider cork when looking .... I certainly wont be getting a new rod with cork and changing mine to cork that's a very dear option but thanks for suggestion.. .. selling mine and finding 3 certainly is an option but although I don't know the builder they are a pretty standard build and see no reason they couldn't be matched.... I had someone do some work on these and my armalites a few years ago he lived in Westerham just off the M25 I don't suppose anyone knows who he is.... or is anyone reading able to recommend someone close to surrey I could talk with about a build of a 3rd..... anyway thanks again Steve
cheers for comments ... I will certainly still consider cork when looking .... I certainly wont be getting a new rod with cork and changing mine to cork that's a very dear option but thanks for suggestion.. .. selling mine and finding 3 certainly is an option but although I don't know the builder they are a pretty standard build and see no reason they couldn't be matched.... I had someone do some work on these and my armalites a few years ago he lived in Westerham just off the M25 I don't suppose anyone knows who he is.... or is anyone reading able to recommend someone close to surrey I could talk with about a build of a 3rd..... anyway thanks again Steve
Yep. I've got 3 Free Spirit XS rods with full Cork.
Why? Cos that's what the nutter ordered a month before he sold them to me for 400 quid about 10 years ago.
I've had plenty of Cork match rods before so it didn't bother me.
I like that you can hold them anywhere and find grip.
Why? Cos that's what the nutter ordered a month before he sold them to me for 400 quid about 10 years ago.
I've had plenty of Cork match rods before so it didn't bother me.
I like that you can hold them anywhere and find grip.
In reply to Post #17
Cork on all my rods, match, specialist and carp.
I don't like duplon and I don't like abbreviated handles.
Call me ‘old fashioned'.
Cork on all my rods, match, specialist and carp.
I don't like duplon and I don't like abbreviated handles.
Call me ‘old fashioned'.
Personally I love cork handle rods just a lovely feel
and these muppets that varnish them or leave the transporting plastic on need to be shot
and these muppets that varnish them or leave the transporting plastic on need to be shot
In reply to Post #19
Cork and nothing else Feel naked without cork 
Cork and nothing else
Feel naked without cork
Only cork for lure fishing, feels much, much, much better. For carp rods i'm leaning towards as minimal as possible, which means abbreviated.
Like a cork handle, but also like a scent from hell hook bait. The porous nature of the cork does not work well so I use abbreviated so it doesn't smell like I've pulled something out of somethings arse every time I take my rods out 
In reply to Post #1
Personally if you have a set of Torrix, I think you are downgrading by considering anything Greys.
I have two sets of Torrix both in Cork and slim Japanese shrinkwrap, and I can't choose one over the other to be honest, but in terms of cork, mine are now a good eight years old and I find that cork ages very well, it cleans up brilliantly and you don't tend to notice the slight scuffs and abrasions that will easily show up on the duplon.
I must admit I love the cork, it's really nice but if I were you I'm not sure I'd let those Torrix go, I think you'd regret it afterward.
Personally if you have a set of Torrix, I think you are downgrading by considering anything Greys.
I have two sets of Torrix both in Cork and slim Japanese shrinkwrap, and I can't choose one over the other to be honest, but in terms of cork, mine are now a good eight years old and I find that cork ages very well, it cleans up brilliantly and you don't tend to notice the slight scuffs and abrasions that will easily show up on the duplon.
I must admit I love the cork, it's really nice but if I were you I'm not sure I'd let those Torrix go, I think you'd regret it afterward.
When I was young I thought Cork rods are for old men, now that I'm older I regret not buying cork rods 30 years earlier.
In reply to Post #5
It's funny how the marketing works isn't it, Grey's even top end is dog **** versus a Harrison, I guess all these companies must be rubbing their hands as the carpers who started out through the 80's early 90's slowly pack in, the knowledge and common sense slowly dies making the marketing a lot easier.
It's funny how the marketing works isn't it, Grey's even top end is dog **** versus a Harrison, I guess all these companies must be rubbing their hands as the carpers who started out through the 80's early 90's slowly pack in, the knowledge and common sense slowly dies making the marketing a lot easier.
In reply to Post #25
I think that's a bit harsh. Grey's are generally a lot cheaper than Harrison rods. Not everyone can afford the very best. F.S Hi's still charge top dollar and that's a blank that's so old I forget when they first came out. Whether they are still the pinnacle of blank design to justify the price is open to much debate.
I think that's a bit harsh. Grey's are generally a lot cheaper than Harrison rods. Not everyone can afford the very best. F.S Hi's still charge top dollar and that's a blank that's so old I forget when they first came out. Whether they are still the pinnacle of blank design to justify the price is open to much debate.
In reply to Post #26
Wouldn't disagree but there in lays the marketing BS, a generation convinced by BS all because company's like Harrison dont.
Wouldn't disagree but there in lays the marketing BS, a generation convinced by BS all because company's like Harrison dont.
In reply to Post #25
I thought not so long ago that the greys aircuve were the best thing going people on here saying that the 3.25 was the best out there and they where brilliant rods now there rubbish don't understand
I thought not so long ago that the greys aircuve were the best thing going people on here saying that the 3.25 was the best out there and they where brilliant rods now there rubbish don't understand
How do you clean the cork handles?
In reply to Post #28
Pretty sure that's not the case
Pretty sure that's not the case
Gets dirty, harder to clean, rubs away with or without butt holders, bulky, nullifies the feel of the blank (Contrary! ), costs 20 quid more.
I do find the wider grip, possibly better for long casting? Only pro I can think of.
What is the advantage of Cork Handles? Serious question....
I do find the wider grip, possibly better for long casting? Only pro I can think of.
What is the advantage of Cork Handles? Serious question....
In reply to Post #1
Just back from 120 mile round trip from collecting 3 x 3.25 Chris Orme built torrix with 40mm butt ring and duplon again with Free spirit reel seats... price ... well I think a right bargain !!!
Just back from 120 mile round trip from collecting 3 x 3.25 Chris Orme built torrix with 40mm butt ring and duplon again with Free spirit reel seats... price ... well I think a right bargain !!!
In reply to Post #23
Not let them go got another 3 ;-)
Not let them go got another 3 ;-)
In reply to Post #1
I don't like cork handles. I remember that when I built my first carbon carp rods, with duplon abbreviated handles, I thought they were the business. I still prefer the modern abbreviated equivalent.
Funny how fashion/fads change... it was a revelation when we moved away from 10 and 11 foot rods. but now some would say that 10 foot is preferable. Unless your in a tight spot surely they are not.
I would be happy if I had to stick to my 12ft Torrix 3.25 with abbreviated handles as they are perfect for pretty much most of what I do.
I don't like cork handles. I remember that when I built my first carbon carp rods, with duplon abbreviated handles, I thought they were the business. I still prefer the modern abbreviated equivalent.
Funny how fashion/fads change... it was a revelation when we moved away from 10 and 11 foot rods. but now some would say that 10 foot is preferable. Unless your in a tight spot surely they are not.
I would be happy if I had to stick to my 12ft Torrix 3.25 with abbreviated handles as they are perfect for pretty much most of what I do.
In reply to Post #29
warm soapy water or, much better in my opinion, a light sanding - 600grit + light pressure, turning as you go, mask off the reel seat/blank.
warm soapy water or, much better in my opinion, a light sanding - 600grit + light pressure, turning as you go, mask off the reel seat/blank.
In reply to Post #34
I don't like them either and the reason being they are awfull and rods have moved on why go back to something inferior ?find it rather strange especially as they also look crap
I don't like them either and the reason being they are awfull and rods have moved on why go back to something inferior ?find it rather strange especially as they also look crap
In reply to Post #36
Especially as you think they look crap..
I think they look cool.. :0)
Especially as you think they look crap..
I think they look cool.. :0)
In reply to Post #36
Everyone is entitied to their own incorrect opinion.
Everyone is entitied to their own incorrect opinion.
Reading ALL pages