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Cork Replacement
Post 29 Jun 2021, 15:12 • #1 
Sport
Joined: 01/09/21
Posts: 35
I have a Fenwick FF86-5. The rod itself is in great condition. The cork grip has deteriorated to the point where it has to be replaced - way beyond filling and sanding. I'd like recommendations for a quality rod repair shop to have the cork replaced so it will look and feel like it did originally.


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 29 Jun 2021, 15:21 • #2 
Administrator
Joined: 01/10/06
Posts: 7811
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Photos would help greatly. Also, your approximate location. Bringing the rod to the repair shop is more effective than mailing it.

The problem with a cork grip rebuild is the Fenwick braided butt wrap. That can't easily be replaced. There are ways to work without removing the braid, but you should discuss the options with your repair person.


Tom


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 29 Jun 2021, 20:29 • #3 
Sport
Joined: 01/09/21
Posts: 35


Tom, here is a pic of the cork. I live in the SF Bay Area.


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 29 Jun 2021, 20:33 • #4 
Master Guide
Joined: 07/12/17
Posts: 390
Location: SW B.C.
I would be inclined toward removing the reel seat by heating in boiling water and replacing it with a Fenwick-style grip from Proof.


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 30 Jun 2021, 16:37 • #5 
Sport
Joined: 01/09/21
Posts: 35
Shrimpman, I appreciate your response, but in all honesty, the last thing I'm going to do is to submerge the rod into boiling water. It's a beautifully casting rod, and rather rare, and I'm afraid I might ruin it.

Potentially, I could remove the cork and replace the little cork cylinders. If I slit the cork cylinders, would they break when I expanded them to press them over the blank?

Anyway, what I'm really looking for is a good repair shop, one that knows what they're doing and could bring to rod back to its original condition.


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 30 Jun 2021, 16:52 • #6 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/20/07
Posts: 8920
Location: US-ME
Neuralize, I'll move this to Rod Building where it may get more focus on DIY. Any of the vendors who post here quite likely can supply you with a new Fenwick style grip and, if need be, reel seat. Check their websites for components and how-to tutorials, not to mention the how-to coverage in this section of FFR. This is a routine, simple repair. Or one of the vendors can recommend a rodsmith they work with, as could someone at a local tackle shop.


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 30 Jun 2021, 17:13 • #7 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/23/05
Posts: 4966
Location: US-MT
That is really sad looking. Good luck and tight lines, hope you get your rod back in shape.


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 01 Jul 2021, 11:34 • #8 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/22/16
Posts: 1760
Location: SJC
I've replaced a couple of reel seats, and it isn't that hard, and I'm a complete newbie to rodcraft (or whatever it's called :) ). It might be worth practicing on some cheaper rods, like a Maxcatch or a CGR first.

As for a local shop or builder, perhaps asking on a forum like norcalkayakanglers or Kiene's would yield more hits.


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 01 Jul 2021, 14:50 • #9 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/25/16
Posts: 1069
Location: Rocky Mountains - Colorado
PM sent


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 14 Jul 2021, 22:45 • #10 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/04/18
Posts: 397
Location: Belair Maryland/Swanton Maryland
Don’t worry all the cool kids are doin it!!

In all seriousness the boiling water trick is the safest way to get that reel seat off in one piece.
Boiling water is 212* which is safe for the blank in such a short dose .
Better than a candle or torch.. (don’t ask me how I know...LoL )
Otherwise it’s cutting the seat off to replace the grip then finding another Fenwick stamped reel seat ..
The genuine Fenwick seats do turn up on the big auction site From time to time.
Hope you get that Fenny fixed !!


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 15 Jul 2021, 01:31 • #11 
Sport
Joined: 01/09/21
Posts: 35
Thanks all. I had Matt Draft of PPF repair the cork - did a fantastic job.



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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 15 Jul 2021, 06:57 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3925
Location: USA - Illinois
Are you now missing one of the two locking rings? Nice new grip!


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 15 Jul 2021, 07:31 • #13 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/04/12
Posts: 705
Location: SE Pa
Doesn't the original photo before any work look to only have one locking ring ?


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 15 Jul 2021, 09:50 • #14 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3925
Location: USA - Illinois
springer1, you are absolutely right - I was dumbly looking at the rod in hot water, not the OP rod :(


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 15 Jul 2021, 11:52 • #15 
Sport
Joined: 01/09/21
Posts: 35
Yeah, you got it. Original 86 had a single ring.


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 15 Jul 2021, 12:04 • #16 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 03/30/09
Posts: 1525
Location: Hamilton,Ontario,Canada
The original photo looks like someone had already somehow replaced the cork rings (doing a poor job)but youre right.The person that repaired it for you did an excellent job.


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Re: Cork Replacement
Post 15 Jul 2021, 12:28 • #17 
Sport
Joined: 01/09/21
Posts: 35
Stonefly, the cork in my original pic below was the original cork. It had been severely damaged by mildew - stunk really bad. It must have been stored wet in a closed container or something. I'd never seen that type of damage before.


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