SPLIT BAMBOO RODMAKING 197 



The grasp may be roughed out with a sharp 

 knife until most of the corners are removed, 

 then rub lengthwise with coarse sandpaper 

 fitted over a wood block, then with fine sand- 

 paper, turning constantly and calipering fre- 

 quently to preserve the shape. Try the reel- 

 seat now and then, and the winding check as 

 well, and when the grasp is shaped to fit both 

 properly, rub lightly with an old piece of the 

 finest grade of sandpaper, and turn your atten- 

 tion to the ferrule. 



Mark the cane at the point where the fer- 

 rule is to rest, then file off the corners from a 

 point just above this mark to the end, being 

 extremely careful to keep the cutting true with 

 the axis of the cane. Of course it is far better 

 to prepare the cane for ferrules in a lathe, but 

 good work may be done without one. File and 

 try until you are sure that the ferrule will go 

 home with a little forcing, then heat your ce- 

 ment and the wood over the alcohol lamp, rub 

 the cement on evenly, and warming the ferrule 

 slightly, push it on with steady pressure until 

 it is down to the pencil mark. If it is a split 

 or serrated ferrule, wind the end temporarily 

 with a bit of string, then cement the reel-seat 

 on the other end in similar fashion and attach 

 the winding check. 



