My goal in designing the BareBack Hammer Handle was to create
the most sensitive and comfortable spinning rod grip.
My favorite spinning rod handle up to that point was the
Split Tennessee handle. While it’s a very nice grip, I wasn’t totally happy
with it. I wanted to create a grip that
would be comfortable to fish all day.
One day while doing some work around the house, I picked up a hammer and
the proverbial "light bulb went off". Hammers, especially framing hammers, don't have round
handles! The handles are more of an oblong shape with almost flat
sides. I figured if you could swing a 24oz framing hammer all day and
still be comfortable, then that shape would be great on a 3oz spinning
rod. I made a couple of prototypes and after some modifications settled
on this combination of hammer handle-blank exposed grip.
The BareBack Hammer Handle is constructed so the top of the
blank has no cork over it. This allows
your whole hand to rest on the blank giving you the most sensitivity ever on a
spinning rod.
My favorite part of this grip is the shape. The added sensitivity is great but if a grip
isn’t comfortable, who wants to fish with it?! The grip is larger than traditional grips with almost flat sides, just
like a hammer. This shape fits your hand
better than round grips, improving comfort and stability because it resists
wanting to roll in your hand. Try it
yourself, grab a hammer, notice how it fits your hand.
Future design ideas are already on the table which include
experiments with new shapes and materials. The effectiveness of the
design is being tested with new handle materials as Carbon Fiber and Syncork.
The first version of the grip, which had screws to hold the
reel in place, was featured in Rodmaker Magazine. I would like to thank Tom Kirkman and Rodmaker Magazine for publishing the article. Click here for article.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Thank you.
Stan 
