I prefer rods with cork handles, but hate the pits and holes that develop in them after a bit of use. I’ve found a solution. I have an old broken cork handle rod. I take a Dremel power tool to the broken cork handle and create a mound of cork dust. I then mix the cork dust with quality outdoor wood glue, and fill the pits and holes in the cork handle. After its dry, I sand it down and the cork handle turns out looking and feeling almost like new.