How do you determine if a winding check fits properly? I have a nickel/silver check. It slides down to the rod blank easily to the cork handle. Should it be tight, snug, etc.? I really don't see a readily noticeable gap between the check and the blank. I couldn't find a thread for this. Thanks

I've read where a few of the guys posting like to have thread under these metal winding checks so that, especially on lighter or slower actioned rods, they aren't putting pressure against the blank...

Putter

Especially with the metal winding checks, you want it to go easily right to the cork. As long as you can't wiggle it, I think you've got the right fit. Rod Bond will hold it in place and even if there's a minute gap on the forward edge, the thread will take care of that.

Bad idea to glue metal checks directly to the blank as you cannot easily retro fit the grip and it can add a pressure point to the blank. A too snug check will scratch the blank when you force it down. Yours appears to fit correctly, but I would lay down a thread wrap to the cork and put the check over that. You can put finish over the check and the thread or just the thread.

Don:
So, I put some thread to the cork handle, dab on some rod bond and slide the check down? Do I just put 2 or 3 wraps under the check? Or, do I place the hookkeeper on and wrap from the foot down to the check as a continous wrap and then varnish it all. . Or, do I slide the check down to the cork handle and place rod varnish over it when I varnish the wraps on the guides?

Bruce. There are many possibilities here. The hookeeper is the toughest, if you want a continuous wrap with the check over the thread. In that case you would want to start the wrap at the keep and advance towards the grip, leaving a thread tag long enough to thread through the check (which you would slide up the wrap) and complete the wrap to the grip. You then slide the check into place and finish the thread and check with the usual varnish or epoxy. The check is held in place by the thread finish alone. If you overcoat the check it is now glued in place by the finish. You can't use regular glue before you finish the thread or the glue will soak into the thread. Without a keep is easier. Wrap the thread, put on your 1st coat of finish, allow it to dry, and then slide on the check. You can use a small amount of glue now. Then put on the second coat of finish. I mostly use plastic checks which are glued to the blank and grip, but which cut off with the cork for a retro-fit. I varnish over these onto the thread.

Fitting a metal winding check on flyrods requires good worksmanship. First the grip must be fitted properly, i.e., tight to the blank. The check must slide easily up to the grip, snug with no visible gap just as Bruce described. Any other fit makes for a poorly crafted rod. A tiny drop or two of glue behind the check will hold it in place. The trim or hookkeeper wrap should be finished just short of the check just allowing enough space for you finish to flow on the blank. Good luck Bruce.