After winding a nylon cord handle, besides using a hosel, is there anything else I can use to "smoothen" out the transition from cord to wrapping thread? Thanks for your help.

Be sure to unbraid the cord before tucking it under to eliminate the bulk. Shrink wrap is one way to cover the edge. You can also build a ramp with an epoxy glue. Top that off with a thread wrap or marble finish.

Dave

Dave is spot on: unravel the cord some, and it'll slip under the wraps much more easily, and will be less noticeble when you're finished.

You didn't say what kind of rod you're building, so I apologize in advance if this doesn't help.

I love cord grips for surf rods -- I don't really use anything else -- and I've stumbled across a neat trick that has served me well, both in appearance and performance. On either side of the reel seat, I use EVA surf grips to A) cover the end of the cord wrap, and B) to serve as a transisiton between the reel seat and the grip. It looks quite nice (at least I think so), and it allows me to be less concerned with the end of the cord wraps.

Great ideas guys, thanks for your suggestions.