Could cork easily be a thing of the past in a few years for major reel manufacturers?

I doubt cork will ever be a thing of the past when it comes to fishing rod companies. It just feels better and looks better on a rod than EVA foam does. I have to admit though, it is cheaper for companies to use EVA foam and in these times companies are looking to stay afloat by any means necessary. If they can up the profit margin using cheaper material, they will cut a corner here and there. Another little side step done by companies is to flood the market with a specific style of rod with EVA foam handles. The same rod, just tweaked by changing thread or adding a sticker here and there can actually bring a greater profit margin by just adding a cork handle. Suddenly it becomes something better and more aesthetically pleasing. Suddenly it's a high end rod introduced once a year and we're all scrambling to get one. It's the same rod mind you, it's just a play on cork and EVA foam. That's my take on it but if it were up to me, All of my rods would have cork because it just feels better in my hands and it makes me look like I actually know what the hell I'm doing out on the water. LoL. ~good luck catchin'.

Personally, I think I'd rather see a cork and rubber mix handle... the kind that comes in tape form.

Anyway, to answer the question, who the hell really knows? Manufacturers of high-end rods are going to use whatever material they can to cheapen the cost of actually making the rod. If it happens to be that EVA foam crap with a split-handle, well... they aren't getting any money from me.

I give it 10 years or less before a cork handle is no longer available.

Personally I think cork will go the way of wooden Gun stocks. As with anything else, cork has a supply and demand. As human population increases there exists greater demand on any given natural resource. So eventually cork will have to be used less, simply to sustain a certain capacity of cork oak trees.

Now, I haven't looked at cork prices, but simply by looking at the wine industry, the recycling of cork and the use of plastic cork mixes, I can see the trend going to less cork use in fishing Rods. Plus the cork industry has increased its product types - even floor tile - as can be researched via the Web.

How long will it continue to be used however will be as long as people desire and are able to afford it.

I see MORE cork being used !

Reason the cork bark growers and harvesters in cork growing countries have taken a big;lose in trade due to the wine trade now going in for artificial cork stoppers and screw tops even in the high quality wines

Therefore they are now promoting the use of cork in other traditional lines such as fishing rod handles!