This document defines cord grips and handles for fishing rods as any grip or handle made primarily from cord-wrapping the blank. It discusses materials used like seine twine, rope, or cord and additional materials like adhesives or cork tape. It provides details on preparing the blank, starting the wrap with techniques like Turkshead knots, tightening the wrap, and completing the handle with finishing steps like applying a butt cap. Finally, it outlines different covering methods for cord-wrapping like grafting, coachwhipping, crosspointing, and chain stitching.

1. Cord Grips and HandlesCord Grips and Handles
Ken BushKen Bush
West Coast Custom Rod ShowWest Coast Custom Rod Show
5/2/095/2/09

2. Definition:Definition:
•• Cord Grip or Handle…any grip or handleCord Grip or Handle…any grip or handle
for a fishing rod where cord is used as thefor a fishing rod where cord is used as the
primary material for covering the blankprimary material for covering the blank
fore grip, and/or rear grip on a fishing rod.fore grip, and/or rear grip on a fishing rod.
•• Done “deckhand” Style or with a reel seatDone “deckhand” Style or with a reel seat
•• Also includes any covering by differentAlso includes any covering by different
methods including “grafting”, crossmethods including “grafting”, cross
pointing,pointing, coachwhippingcoachwhipping etcetc

3. Materials:Materials:
•• Seine twine, rope, cord, (may be poly, nylon,Seine twine, rope, cord, (may be poly, nylon,
hemp, cotton, etc) used for covering the griphemp, cotton, etc) used for covering the grip
area. Cord size and type may vary. Beware ofarea. Cord size and type may vary. Beware of
hollow cord (parachute cord).hollow cord (parachute cord).
•• Cork Tape, may be used if the diameter of theCork Tape, may be used if the diameter of the
blank is too small.blank is too small.
•• Tension Device (wrapper, or hand tightened)Tension Device (wrapper, or hand tightened)
•• Adhesive (spray on adhesive, super glue,Adhesive (spray on adhesive, super glue,
contact cement etc.) is optionalcontact cement etc.) is optional

5. Additional MaterialsAdditional Materials
•• Adhesive (contact cement, super glue,Adhesive (contact cement, super glue,
spray on adhesive, double stick tape, etc)spray on adhesive, double stick tape, etc)
•• Lighter (for melting ends of cord)Lighter (for melting ends of cord)
•• Scissors/Razor BladeScissors/Razor Blade
•• Cork Tape (if needed)Cork Tape (if needed)
•• Masking TapeMasking Tape

6. Blank PrepBlank Prep
•• Blank can be scuffed/sanded, cleaned withBlank can be scuffed/sanded, cleaned with
acetoneacetone
Trying to create something the cord willTrying to create something the cord will
“stick” to better. Create friction… no slick“stick” to better. Create friction… no slick
surfaces.surfaces.
Others use double sided tape, spray onOthers use double sided tape, spray on
adhesive, etc.adhesive, etc.
Everyone has their own preferred method.Everyone has their own preferred method.

7. Starting the WrapStarting the Wrap
•• Tie down or start theTie down or start the WARPWARP thread (continuous threadthread (continuous thread
wrapping around the blank) may also use more than onewrapping around the blank) may also use more than one
color for wrapping around the blank.color for wrapping around the blank.
•• Tie down of theTie down of the WEFTWEFT threads (pattern thread on axisthreads (pattern thread on axis
of the blank) Weft threads are used to make patternsof the blank) Weft threads are used to make patterns
(basket weave, vertical pairs, weaves, spiral, etc.)(basket weave, vertical pairs, weaves, spiral, etc.)
•• Warps may be started by being “pulled under” like aWarps may be started by being “pulled under” like a
traditional thread wrap or flattened/frayed out andtraditional thread wrap or flattened/frayed out and
bound to the blank with thread.bound to the blank with thread.
•• Can also be started with aCan also be started with a TurksheadTurkshead knotknot
•• Layer of Cork tape if neededLayer of Cork tape if needed

8. TighteningTightening
•• Continually tighten as you wrap down theContinually tighten as you wrap down the
blank… even constant tension is best.blank… even constant tension is best.
•• If just using a Warp cord, you can powerIf just using a Warp cord, you can power
wrap the cord onto the blank.wrap the cord onto the blank.
•• Can apply glue if needed as you progressCan apply glue if needed as you progress
•• If you are making a pattern, thenIf you are making a pattern, then
straighten any Weft threads as you go.straighten any Weft threads as you go.
•• Take up any slackTake up any slack

9. EffectsEffects
•• Using a cord with multiple colors will create a patternUsing a cord with multiple colors will create a pattern
that varies with the changes in circumference, as well asthat varies with the changes in circumference, as well as
the tension applied.the tension applied.
•• Different tracer threads in your cord will create differentDifferent tracer threads in your cord will create different
patterns. Some subtle, others not so..patterns. Some subtle, others not so..
•• If your blank is not tapered (gaff handle for example)If your blank is not tapered (gaff handle for example)
you can change the appearance by varying theyou can change the appearance by varying the
circumference underneath…circumference underneath…ieie: cord: cord spirialspirial up the blank ,up the blank ,
tape arbors etc.tape arbors etc.
•• Two or more cord colors may be wrappedTwo or more cord colors may be wrapped
simultaneously or blendedsimultaneously or blended
•• Changing cord colorsChanging cord colors

11. TurksheadsTurksheads in Reel Seat Areain Reel Seat Area

13. Spiral Cord UnderneathSpiral Cord Underneath

14. Cord Grips with a reel seatCord Grips with a reel seat

15. Color Change GripColor Change Grip

16. Completing the Cord HandleCompleting the Cord Handle
•• Tie off or bind ends of wefts with thread or tuck into hollow buTie off or bind ends of wefts with thread or tuck into hollow butttt
end.end.
•• Warp thread may be tied off and glued or pulled underWarp thread may be tied off and glued or pulled under
•• Optional…..Drill small hole in blank (Butt end, thick wall blankOptional…..Drill small hole in blank (Butt end, thick wall blank only),only),
insert end of cord, pull tight and add a drop of Super Glue.insert end of cord, pull tight and add a drop of Super Glue.
•• Cover and finish with aCover and finish with a gimbalgimbal or with a butt cap.or with a butt cap.
•• Use an insert with a butt cap on the end. May be covered with aUse an insert with a butt cap on the end. May be covered with a
TurksheadTurkshead, and additional cord to match the diameter of the new, and additional cord to match the diameter of the new
cord handle.cord handle.
•• Cover end of wrap with aCover end of wrap with a TurksheadTurkshead..
•• DecorativeDecorative TurksheadsTurksheads applied… reel seat area, top, bottom etc.applied… reel seat area, top, bottom etc.
•• Put aPut a turksheadturkshead on top end of the grip.on top end of the grip.

19. Butt Caps on EndsButt Caps on Ends

20. TurksheadTurkshead Butt Cap InsertButt Cap Insert

21. Final FinishingFinal Finishing
•• Spray coats of finish (Spray coats of finish (ieie: spray on: spray on
Urethane, Spar Varnish, etc.)Urethane, Spar Varnish, etc.)
•• Color Preserver will help or the cord colorsColor Preserver will help or the cord colors
could fade. Definitely needed on cottoncould fade. Definitely needed on cotton
cord. Tarred Seine twine already treated.cord. Tarred Seine twine already treated.
•• Alternatives… rod finish, brush on varnishAlternatives… rod finish, brush on varnish
•• To each, their own choice.To each, their own choice.

22. Covering MethodsCovering Methods
•• GraftingGrafting
•• CoachwhippingCoachwhipping
•• CrosspointingCrosspointing
•• Chain Stitching/Needle HitchingChain Stitching/Needle Hitching

24. GraftingGrafting
See “Wefts” running down the blankSee “Wefts” running down the blank

25. More Grafting:More Grafting: Basket weave type pattern (ROOSTER RODS)Basket weave type pattern (ROOSTER RODS)

26. Twisted Spiral Cord HandleTwisted Spiral Cord Handle

27. More GraftingMore Grafting

28. Grafting andGrafting and CoachwhippingCoachwhipping

29. CoachwhippingCoachwhipping

30. ChainstichingChainstiching and Chevronsand Chevrons

31. References:References:
•• CreativeCreative RopecraftRopecraft: Stuart Grainger: Stuart Grainger