Cord Grips and Handles Cord Grips and Handles

Ken BushKen Bush

West Coast Custom Rod Show West Coast Custom Rod Show

5/2/095/2/09

Definition:Definition:

•• Cord Grip or Handle…any grip or handle Cord Grip or Handle…any grip or handle for a fishing rod where cord is used as the for a fishing rod where cord is used as the primary material for covering the blank primary material for covering the blank fore grip, and/or rear grip on a fishing rod. fore grip, and/or rear grip on a fishing rod.

•• Done “deckhand” Style or with a reel seatDone “deckhand” Style or with a reel seat•• Also includes any covering by different Also includes any covering by different

methods including “grafting”, cross methods including “grafting”, cross pointing, pointing, coachwhippingcoachwhipping etc etc

Materials:Materials:

•• Seine twine, rope, cord, (may be poly, nylon, Seine twine, rope, cord, (may be poly, nylon, hemp, cotton, etc) used for covering the grip hemp, cotton, etc) used for covering the grip area. Cord size and type may vary. Beware of area. Cord size and type may vary. Beware of hollow cord (parachute cord).hollow cord (parachute cord).

•• Cork Tape, may be used if the diameter of the Cork Tape, may be used if the diameter of the blank is too small.blank is too small.

•• Tension Device (wrapper, or hand tightened)Tension Device (wrapper, or hand tightened)•• Adhesive (spray on adhesive, super glue, Adhesive (spray on adhesive, super glue,

contact cement etc.) is optionalcontact cement etc.) is optional

Additional MaterialsAdditional Materials

•• Adhesive (contact cement, super glue, Adhesive (contact cement, super glue, spray on adhesive, double stick tape, etc)spray on adhesive, double stick tape, etc)

•• Lighter (for melting ends of cord)Lighter (for melting ends of cord)•• Scissors/Razor BladeScissors/Razor Blade•• Cork Tape (if needed)Cork Tape (if needed)•• Masking TapeMasking Tape

Blank PrepBlank Prep

•• Blank can be scuffed/sanded, cleaned with Blank can be scuffed/sanded, cleaned with acetoneacetone

Trying to create something the cord will Trying to create something the cord will “stick” to better. Create friction… no slick “stick” to better. Create friction… no slick surfaces.surfaces.

Others use double sided tape, spray on Others use double sided tape, spray on adhesive, etc.adhesive, etc.

Everyone has their own preferred method.Everyone has their own preferred method.

Starting the WrapStarting the Wrap

•• Tie down or start the Tie down or start the WARPWARP thread (continuous thread thread (continuous thread wrapping around the blank) may also use more than one wrapping around the blank) may also use more than one color for wrapping around the blank.color for wrapping around the blank.

•• Tie down of the Tie down of the WEFTWEFT threads (pattern thread on axis threads (pattern thread on axis of the blank) Weft threads are used to make patterns of the blank) Weft threads are used to make patterns (basket weave, vertical pairs, weaves, spiral, etc.)(basket weave, vertical pairs, weaves, spiral, etc.)

•• Warps may be started by being “pulled under” like a Warps may be started by being “pulled under” like a traditional thread wrap or flattened/frayed out and traditional thread wrap or flattened/frayed out and bound to the blank with thread.bound to the blank with thread.

•• Can also be started with a Can also be started with a TurksheadTurkshead knot knot •• Layer of Cork tape if needed Layer of Cork tape if needed

TighteningTightening

•• Continually tighten as you wrap down the Continually tighten as you wrap down the blank… even constant tension is best.blank… even constant tension is best.

•• If just using a Warp cord, you can power If just using a Warp cord, you can power wrap the cord onto the blank.wrap the cord onto the blank.

•• Can apply glue if needed as you progressCan apply glue if needed as you progress•• If you are making a pattern, then If you are making a pattern, then

straighten any Weft threads as you go. straighten any Weft threads as you go. •• Take up any slackTake up any slack

EffectsEffects

•• Using a cord with multiple colors will create a pattern Using a cord with multiple colors will create a pattern that varies with the changes in circumference, as well as that varies with the changes in circumference, as well as the tension applied.the tension applied.

•• Different tracer threads in your cord will create different Different tracer threads in your cord will create different patterns. Some subtle, others not so..patterns. Some subtle, others not so..

•• If your blank is not tapered (gaff handle for example) If your blank is not tapered (gaff handle for example) you can change the appearance by varying the you can change the appearance by varying the circumference underneath…circumference underneath…ieie: cord : cord spirialspirial up the blank , up the blank , tape arbors etc. tape arbors etc.

•• Two or more cord colors may be wrapped Two or more cord colors may be wrapped simultaneously or blendedsimultaneously or blended

•• Changing cord colorsChanging cord colors

TurksheadsTurksheads in Reel Seat Areain Reel Seat Area

Spiral Cord UnderneathSpiral Cord Underneath

Cord Grips with a reel seatCord Grips with a reel seat

Color Change GripColor Change Grip

Completing the Cord HandleCompleting the Cord Handle

•• Tie off or bind ends of wefts with thread or tuck into hollow buTie off or bind ends of wefts with thread or tuck into hollow butt tt end.end.

•• Warp thread may be tied off and glued or pulled underWarp thread may be tied off and glued or pulled under•• Optional…..Drill small hole in blank (Butt end, thick wall blankOptional…..Drill small hole in blank (Butt end, thick wall blank only), only),

insert end of cord, pull tight and add a drop of Super Glue.insert end of cord, pull tight and add a drop of Super Glue.•• Cover and finish with a Cover and finish with a gimbalgimbal or with a butt cap. or with a butt cap. •• Use an insert with a butt cap on the end. May be covered with a Use an insert with a butt cap on the end. May be covered with a

TurksheadTurkshead, and additional cord to match the diameter of the new , and additional cord to match the diameter of the new cord handle. cord handle.

•• Cover end of wrap with a Cover end of wrap with a TurksheadTurkshead..•• Decorative Decorative TurksheadsTurksheads applied… reel seat area, top, bottom etc. applied… reel seat area, top, bottom etc. •• Put a Put a turksheadturkshead on top end of the grip.on top end of the grip.

Butt Caps on EndsButt Caps on Ends

TurksheadTurkshead Butt Cap InsertButt Cap Insert

Final FinishingFinal Finishing

•• Spray coats of finish (Spray coats of finish (ieie: spray on : spray on Urethane, Spar Varnish, etc.)Urethane, Spar Varnish, etc.)

•• Color Preserver will help or the cord colors Color Preserver will help or the cord colors could fade. Definitely needed on cotton could fade. Definitely needed on cotton cord. Tarred Seine twine already treated.cord. Tarred Seine twine already treated.

•• Alternatives… rod finish, brush on varnishAlternatives… rod finish, brush on varnish•• To each, their own choice.To each, their own choice.

Covering MethodsCovering Methods

•• GraftingGrafting•• CoachwhippingCoachwhipping•• CrosspointingCrosspointing•• Chain Stitching/Needle HitchingChain Stitching/Needle Hitching

GraftingGraftingSee “Wefts” running down the blankSee “Wefts” running down the blank

More Grafting: More Grafting: Basket weave type pattern (ROOSTER RODS) Basket weave type pattern (ROOSTER RODS)

Twisted Spiral Cord HandleTwisted Spiral Cord Handle

More GraftingMore Grafting

Grafting and Grafting and CoachwhippingCoachwhipping

CoachwhippingCoachwhipping

ChainstichingChainstiching and Chevronsand Chevrons

References:References:

•• Creative Creative RopecraftRopecraft: Stuart Grainger : Stuart Grainger