Stock reel seat or Tennessee Cork

I have always been a Tennessee Cork handle with rings fan. In fact all my spinning rods have a Tennessee handle.
I have never liked the feel of the small plastic reel seal on spinning rods. And then when I fish when it’s chilly out my hands would get cold on the plastic.
But….

What has the best feel/sensitivity ?
Tennessee cork or Stock reel seat ?
Or does it just come down to what personal preference ?

I am going to get my son a pan fish rod and thinking about getting a stock rod instead of a custom.
But I’m sure he wouldn’t mind a custom rod from Thorne Bros of any kind.

Just wondering

Find a custom rod builder in your area. Let you son help in selecting the features. Have it personalized with his name, from his dad on that date. It’s a keepsake he will have forever and have special meaning to him after you are gone.

Anything with direct contact to the blank will be more sensitive than not. However cork is much less dense and rigid than plastic or graphite, which most reel seats are made of. The less dense and rigid, the less sensations that are transmitted through it, the less sensitive.

Typically when panfishing you are using a bobber, that doesn’t really require a highly sensitive rod. If jigging or casting though sensitivity is a plus.

Personal preference, however I prefer rods that give me the option of putting a finger directly on the blank. They typically have no foregrip. That is the most sensitive you can get.

There are different sized spinning seats. I’m with you. I hate the small size 16 reels eats as well. I only build with size 17 now. Much more comfortable.

I love the straight cork rods. You can balance a rod out just perfect.

Getting a custom rod for your kid would be awesome too!