I use burl cork almost exclusively anymore. I like the unique look of it. But I've often wondered - what the heck is it? It looks like it could be small bits of cork that are compressed under high pressure, but the name implies it could come from a burl on a tree. Does anybody know - for sure - what it is?

I will say this - I ordered from 2 places. Anglers Workshop & some guy off of @#$%&. There is definitely a difference in this cork. This has been discussed heer before. The stuff from AW acts very much like regular cork when sanding, just a tad harder. The other stuff I got is sort of rubber, and if you try to sand it down to a small diameter it gouges. At least it did for me.

I think is something to do with heat, because I had the same problem sanding...

There are two different types of composite corks available. The first is burl cork, which is usually larger pieces of cork glued together with a dyed mix. The second is Rubberized cork, which is small pieces of cork mixed with a neoprene rubber. The rubberized cork is like what St. Croix uses on the butt of their rods and what struble uses on the end of their fighting butts. The rubberized is very dense and heavy, where burl cork is quite a bit lighter. While the rubberized stuff is much more durable and is more fitting for the end of the grip, I think the burl looks much better for the main part of the grip or for trim in the grip. Was it possible the stuff you purchased off of @#$%& was the rubberized cork?
Wes

Some years ago I purchased some burl cork that was not like either described here. It was not compressed but instead was very flaky stuff with no adhesive involved. About 1 out of every 2 rings was actually useable but it made a very beautiful grip with lots of figure like an exotic wood. I believe this was true burl cork.

It has been a long time since I have gotten any like this. What I get now does appear to be small pieces of uniform size and shape compressed and glued together. Maybe true burl cork is just scarce now.

Wes, I am sure. I even got some Red & Blue Burl cork. At some point, I ordered a couple of Red & Green rings from AW (you're from there, right?). There is definitely a difference between the 2. Believe me, it is Burl cork, but not the same stuff. I'll send you some if you like.

The Red "burl cork" I got off @#$%&, at the end of each ring it is "flaky", looks like it was cut with a meat cleaver it is so rough. This makes not every ring usuable for me as well. Can't really complain though, I paid $15 for 50 rings. I did plan to cut litle Burl cork triangles and make burl diamonds inlayed in regular cork, but the stuff would "chunk" when I tried with my fine (40 TPI I think) miter saw.

Did you guys ever get any Blue Burl cork? I know there was some problem with the dye ealy this year, and that AW didn't stock it because of this. The "Blue burl I have, when sanded looks like the Natural burl.

Billy

I still have some burl from Manhattan Custom Tackle that is far superior to anything available today. It truly had a "burl" look to it, rather than the compressed scaps look.

Is Phil Koenig still around? I know he closed shop, but he was a great builder and I can't imagine he gave up the craft.

Phil, are you out there?

Oz - Phil was selling stuff on @#$%& during the summer. His ID is, what else, "Grumpyphil". Pretty funny if you've met him. He was unloading his inventory it seemed to me, so I believe he is out of the business

Billy