Ok you know how the finish is nice and evenly off the blankpast the thread.How is this effect done?Tape??

What you do is wait til your finish is getting thick and take a needle or thread pick and stick it in finish and while rod is rotateing apply the finish on the edge.. If it is too thick when you apply just take your aocohol lamp and het it up a little..This will give the edges are more square look.. Now if you want the taper affect it just takes a steady hand while rod is rotateing.. I have seen rod companies doing this both ways.. The last factory rods I checked out Sage had the Football affect and GLoomis had the squared off edges.. I actually thought GLOOMIS finish work was better than Sages rods..
Also it's going to matter what finish you are useing to get these affects..Some will be easier than others.. Thanks Dave's Rods

One method, and the one I generally use, is to go ahead and apply finish to the wrap allowing the flow to just ease over the edges a bit. Then crease a paper towel or thin cloth, dip it in alcohol and while the rod is rotating hold the sharp edge about 1/32 inch from the wrap. It wipes the edge nice and clean leaving a border. Do this while the epoxy is still thin and the natural rotation will make a nice even tapered edge. I use this method on my final coat. If you want it square with the wrap with no tapered border just let the creased paper ride around the edge of the wrap. You can also make a good edge under a single foot guide this way too.

Capt. Harold

I've found that I can take my hair dryer and blow from the thread edge toward the middle of the wrap and it makes a very nice even taper on the edges. Just make sure you do it early, before your finish begins to set.

Ray Alston

Ater I have put my last coat of finish on the rod I take a butane torch to the finish. Moveing the flam over the finish tell you see a bubble on the bottom. the rod has to be rotateing at the time, Then I take a brush and remove the excess finish. This inturn well mave the finish smooth out on to the blank.
Bob

I use the tape method. I put the ring of tape on and make sure it is square and even, then apply my finish. I apply the tape a little bit closer to the wrap than where I intend the finish to end. Then before your finish sets, remove the tape.

As long as you don't have excessive amounts of finish, it should cure to a nice, straight edge, as well as a tapered effect. If you want the finish to end at the wrap and not extend onto the blank, just put your tape butted up against the wrap.

Dave