Has anyone tried to make a Fly rod handle with leather rings?
Would it be too heavy?
Shawn

I am not sure I have ever heard of leather "rings". Could you be referring to a leather wrapped grip, much like those used on offshore trolling rods?



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Hi Tom
I was just sitting here at work daydreaming about the next rod I want build and the thought popped in to my head why not build a handle with leather.
Now I’ve never worked with leather but what I had in mind was to get a thick sheet leather and a punch and punch out 1 ¼” circles then punch out the center to make rings.
Then finish just like a cork handle.
I’m sure it will be heavier what other drawbacks could you foresee?

Shawn

Rigidity could be a problem. On a fly rod, perhaps moreso than on any other rod, the handle must be as light as possible, but also extremely rigid. Any "give" under pressure will result in some pretty sloppy casting mechanics.

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you can get leather rings from knife making supply comp. for making leather knife handles.

I'm probably showing my age here but it seems to me that Stanley used to make a hammer with a handle made of leather rings.

there were hammerhandles made of leather as well as knife handles. I guess I'm telling my age.

Bruce Young
Landing Gear

what would happen when it gets wet?