For a considerable time I've toyed with the idea of putting stacked leather handles on fly rods as an alternative to the standard cork and wood arrangement. Stacked leather has long been used as a handle material on fixed blade knives, and has the reputation as a very durable material, as in evidence of hunting knives that have withstood the test of time. I've owned a number of Marbles knives that were well over 100 years old and their handles still looked almost new! So why not on a flyrod? A 100 year old rod with a cork handle will be in dire need of replacement by then, but a rod made with a leather handle will probably be just hitting it's stride. It has the added benefit of being refinished or touched up with a rubbed in coat or two of Tru-Oil, should it start to show any sign of wear, but that will take a long time. It is heavier than an equally sized cork and wood reel seat arrangement by 1 1/2 ounces, but with that extra weight in your hand while casting, it's hardly noticeable. It feels great in the hand, can take a stain if you should desire a certain caste of color, is not slippery at all, and looks great on a fly rod.
You may want to consider this material while ordering your next rod, I believe you will be surprised at how nice it is on a bamboo or fiberglass rod.
