Has anyone here ever tried weaving or braideing a cord handle on a saltwater rod? In other words, plaiting it or weaving it sort of like one would expect a whip handle or lariat to look. I've seen photos of a couple of old rods like that, but haven't been able to find any more information. I'd like to try it.

So far, the only thing I've done with cord (other than just wrap it like a guide wrap) is to tie overhand knots in a spiral up the blank, like you see with wrapped pliers on occasion. (By the way, if anyone would like to know how to do this with a pair of fishing pliers, let me know and I'll try to explain it or try to send a photo of some, if my daughter will allow me to use her digital camera).

Thanks,

Charles Horan

Charles,

I am not sure if this is exactly what you had in mind but volume 9 issue 3 of RodMaker has an article on cord handles. It looks like the cord is wrapped over the top of a cork handle that has been recessed to accept the cord. Might be worth getting a copy if it sounds like this is what you had in mind.

Lynn
Santa Rosa, CA

No, Lynn, that's not what I had in mind, though this is a great approach. I have that volume and greadly admired the work shown. I'm talking about actually weaving or braiding several strands of cord (like you'd braid a ponytail) on the blank, not wrapping it around the blank (or cork) as is the standard practice. Think of a bullwhip handle, or something akin to that. Or remember the old "maypole" where many strands are placed on top of the pole and then interwoven down the pole until the pole is covered with a criss cross pattern of some sort? I think it would be a great look and quite functional if I could figure it out.

Charles Horan

Have made a few hackamores in my younger days, it's leather weaved over a wire loop. I'm sure some of the maritime weaves you see in the books would also work. I'm sure this info would be fairly easy to come by on the web, a good bookstore, or sailing shop.

What about the "TURKS HEAD KNOT" you could build up a handle with that knot.

Fred is right: do a search here for "Turks Head" and you'll find a few threads with ideas for braided cord handles. You can also google the term and you'll find all kinds of pages on the knot, and other associated nautical knots.

I build primarily surf rods, and I use cord for all of them. I played with the idea of doing the same thing you're talking about, Charles, and scrapped it because my time is limited, and doing a turks head grip would have just taken too long. But I think that if you have the time to try it, the resulting grip would be spectacular, and would be the best kind of feature on a custom rod -- something that you can't get anywhere else.

I am working on a couple of surf rods where I plan to do open fade wraps with cord. Should work fine if you use the right diameter of cord for the job.


Derek L. McMaster
Rohnert Park, CA

Born to Fish, FORCED to Work

I've done handles with 4-strands. I lost my way big-time when trying 6 and up, and went back to 4.
With 2 colours, one can do either a diamond pattern, or a spiral pattern (candy-cane) depending on the first weave's colour layout.
The diamond is the hardest, as it looks hokey if the diamonds are not aligned straight.
Candy cane makes no never mind.

I just posted some pic's under grips, handles and reel seats of some butt cord "weaves" I did some years ago - and never again. My hands were raw when I finished.

I've seen some of Marks cord wrapped handles in person, never seen anything like it before or after. Just outstanding work!!!

Mark beautiful work on the rope wraps. I've never seen anything like that. I would imagine that you were cross eyed as well.

Charles,
Check out Clifford Ashley's THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS. It's 620 pages have not only every conceivable knot, hitch, bend, and splice, but loads of ornamental coverings- hitching, grafting, coachwhipping, sinnets, plaiting, you name it. It's a fascinating book.
Tom White

Anthony at Apocalypse13 Custom Rods has done several incredible cord wraps on his jigsticks..





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/11/2007 03:15AM by Ken Bush.

Wow, I just went and looked at the pics Mark posted...That IS incredible work. I need to learn to do that!

Thank you all for the great information and photos. The handle work inthe photos forwarded/posted in response to my inquiry is truly inspiring. When I can, I will order the book mentioned in this thread. I think this type of cord work is overlooked as a source what can be really great looking and totally functional handles. I'd love to see guys like Billy Vivona and Doc Ski and the many many other thread artists on the board give some of this a shot. In my copy of "Advanced Rodbuilding" book there's a bit of this sort of cord work, but not much. Any other suggestions of sources for learning these techniques would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again to the many who responded!

Charles Horan

Ken B.
Please post photos in the photo section and not on the Forum.

When your photo posted here is discovered it will be removed
as photos use to much bandwidth (or something like that)

Thanks

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

Thanks Ray... I deleted the photo. I was wondering why no one had posted them here... Now if I can just get around to trying to upload some pics...