Interesting stuff. I've been using cushy Bontrager foam/gel tape. It's wrapped outside to in, starting from the bar-ends. Drop bars on a Trek 520, with clean handlebar surface beneath. Still, it keeps shifting and moving out of position, forcing me to rewrap it every two months or so. Lately it has started to tear.

I think I'll try cork tape this time around, with the electrical tape trick moxfyre recommended. If I decide I need the cushiness I'll just wear cushy gloves or something.

Thanks again for the information everyone.