A point worth making here is that many anglers, for some reason do not remove the plastic cork covering many rods have when new. Remove it for goodness sake or you will have the cork rotting under the plastic. Natural cork needs air.
Also cork is still the best material for a fishing rod handle and gives you a firm grip.
Wrap PVC electricans tape tightly around the handle, rub it over with your hand to warm it and make it stick better, leave for about 10 minutes and peel off. Handle comes up like new, work ever time.
