I know this isn't rod building related, but figured I would ask here since some rods have cord wrapped grips. I have a friend that wants a grip wrapped on a walking staff. The staff is round and the grip area is about 12" long. I could do a simple wrap for him, but thought a cross wrap would really look nice, and add some grip. Have any of you done a cross wrap in cord, and if you have, how did you do it? I have never done a cross wrap, and figured it would be easier to learn how to do this with a big sized blank and thread.

Mike Bradfrod
R.M.B. Fishing Rods
Nampa, Idaho

[www.frayedknotarts.com]

Be careful, man -- you can waste a lot more time figuring out decorative rope wraps than you can figuring out thread wraps. The cord stuff looks fantastic when it's finished, but it takes a looooooonnnng time to do.

[www.morethanknots.com]

Be aware that hitching doesn't feel good to the hand with rough rope. I did some hitching on a rod grip, and ended up covering it in heat shrink

You can do a Chevron if you want, with VERY thin seine cord, but the effect is lost unless one looks closely. I prefer to do a simple French spiral knot around that spirals up the grip of the walking stick, or just spiral a cord under a wrap as you go for some texture, if that makes sense.
Chuck Horan

12" long cord wrap can be done in a couple of hours. This one I did with paracord. It's a full 30" long, so took a little longer.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

did this on a gaff its 12" very easy alternating half hitches

[s257.photobucket.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/08/2011 02:21PM by Barry Thomas Sr.

I make a lot of gaffs with cord wrapped grips. - to add a little texture, I will put down a simple chevron of #9 Nylon twine (just like a butt wrap), than just straight wrap over the top with #12 Black nylon twine or tuna cord.

I will finish with thinned laminating epoxy - it works very well and the texture is not too aggressive.