130 AMATEUR RODMAKING 



these, two strips of rectangular section are first 

 glued together, to attain the necessary thick- 

 ness, then planed to triangular section. The 

 method is commonly called " double enamel." 



A few British makers claim to have im- 

 proved the six-strip rod by adding steel cen- 

 ters; by winding with steel ribbons; and by 

 making them of treble enamel. But all these 

 things may better be called selling points than 

 improvements. 



In the old-time angling books some writers 

 say the enamel of the cane should be placed 

 on the outside of the joint. That is readily 

 understood, and experience has shown that it 

 is the only reliable method. Other writers 

 mention the placing of the enamel on the inside 

 of the joint. At this day such workmanship 

 would, if advocated, be ridiculed. The first 

 reason for placing the enamel outside is to re- 

 tain as much as possible of the natural strength 

 of the cane; the enamel surface, being uneven, 

 may be more easily offset by matching if placed 

 outside; and finally, this enamel surface, even 

 when planed down slightly, offers poor hold- 

 ing ground for glue. 



In the accompanying sketch Fig. 44 shows a 

 section ready for the glueing of the three strips 

 with the enamel outside. In Fig. 45 one of the 



