Wood Handle

[Carpenter]

When you install a wooden handle, do you guys/gals use epoxy finish or rod bond? I usually use rod bond when doing cork grips, but have heard that people use finish? Thoughts?

[upnorth]

Are you talking to glue them to the blank? I use 30 minute epoxy to glue mine down. I have tried the 5 minute stuff and it just doesn't give you much time to work with.

If you are talking finish? I use spar varnish, about 4 coats depending on the wood.

[unfrozen]

I use 15 epoxy from Roddancer to secure the handle to the rod blank. Don't use epoxy meant for protecting thread wraps. And like Upnorth said, use a finish suitable for outdoor wear and tear, like spar varnish. I use CA a lot of the time.

[Carpenter]

Sorry, question wasn't super clear. I was trying to get some other things done and type a quick question.

I've been using flex coat for finishing wraps and U40 rod bond for the cork grips.

The guys I've been talking to about wooden handles have been using the finish (my case the flex coat) to adhere the wood grip to the blank. Then that same finish to coat/protect/finish the wood handle.

Is what they are saying ok? Why use an epoxy/finish to adhere the wood grip to the handle, not a rod bond?

[upnorth]

Use rod bond(or some other kind of slower cure epoxy) to attach the handle to the blank. Even to tho products like flex coat are called epoxy, they are a glue/adhesive.

I really don't recommend Flex Coat or any other thread epoxy as they are designed to cover and protect threads not wood. I know some folks like it cuz it offers a deep look but not the best product for the job.

[Carpenter]

You guys ever use truoil (gun stock stuff) for the finish on a handle?

[unfrozen]

I've used Tru Oil and it works great but it takes more than a few coats to build up a deep finish. There was an excellent article in Rodmaker magazine a while back that described how to get a mirror-like smooth finish using Tru Oil.

Here's an example...

[Carpenter]

Very nice! Thank you.