The WB

I know this is an old topic, but I thought I would share my story: Just started building a coupla months ago, but quickly noticed the price and quality of cork grips and cork rings sucks. So, I bought 400 champagne corks off etsy.com for less than $50. See my first attempt attached. My intention was to sand down the irregularities, but I've decided to leave as is. The grip feels like a dream.

As a new rod builder, I would advise you to give it a try. My first attempts already feel and perform better than the mass produced, and often assembled in China, factory rods. I practiced building on blanks from which I stripped old and cheap rods. I invested in a wrapping station from mudhole.com, suspecting that I would love the process and the fruits. Glad I did, it's addictive.