Looking for the best transition to bring the cork tape to the blank. Would shrink wrap be an option? It would also have to go to the reel seat. I know its a newbie question but I'm just not sure about it.
Thanks!

Dan,
I believe heat shrink will work. I taper the cork tape to the blank using sandpaper or a smooth file and then wrap from the blank up the cork tape using heavy wrapping thread (size FF). I use the same thread at the reel seat. Use the same finish as on the guides. This gives a nice finished appearance. Hope this helps.
Good luck,
Joe

I did something similar to what Jor R. mentioned except I built a 'ramp' with C or D thread and then applied several coats of finish until a smooth transition was achieved. I then triple-wrapped over that with the colors used on the rest of the rod.

Take a look:

[www.momentoffame.com]
[www.momentoffame.com]

Have fun with it!

Sorry... That should have been Joe R.

My apologies Joe.

Thanks! The wraps look great.
Dan

Something a little different,new product available from Richards Rod and Reel. Leather strips, these are rather soft and very pliable they can be either glued to the blank {contact cement} directly or can be made into the old style foregrips used on heavy off shore rods, that is glued onto cork rings that you have preshaped, advantage over the oldr way is you have complete control over the length and diameter of the grips.I have only started with them but think they would add a little something to intermediate rods like Tarpon,Kingfish etc,maybe if Rich sees this he could add a little more info regarding them
John

Regarding the rodbuilder's leather strips, I've posted already quite a bit about this. You might want to check the archives about the idea and some specs.
We recently got it available to us from what we understand to be the most premium source of this type of waterproof leather, in the world.
It's not really new, but it is something of a unique idea less considered by custom builders, and might be worth a try to have a stand out rod. The stuff is used on rods up to offshore big game rods, and with modifications and preferences to be glued onto built up cork as desired. It is also placed direct on large diameter blanks.
It's available in perforated or nonperforated black strips.

If anyone is more interested in this leather grip material, please email me at info@rodreel.com.

Thanks,
Rich
Richard's Rod & Reel

I use the same method st croix uses on the factory surf rods. heat shrink tubing at the top end, which you can actually wrap right up to with the butt wrap and it looks pretty good. if you don't burn it while shrinking,you can flex-coat right over it and it looks like it belongs. Two short peices of foam on the end of the reelseat, taper them how you like. and instead of a plastic cap on the butt end, I didn't want a gut-stabber, because this is a fairly light rod and the butt is only about 8" long. I used one of those foam lightbulb looking butts, I really like these.