I just finished my first rod building project and although I'm extremely happy with the results, I wasn't sure how to finish the end of the butt wrap. What I ended up doing was tieing off the end of the wrap as if it were a guide foot and cutting off the ends of the butt wrap threads prior to finishing off that overwrap. I searched some sites, but they all discussed the wraps themselves.

How do you guys end your butt wraps?

Attempting a butt wrap on a first build is quite an undertaking. Props to you for that. Butt wraps are finished pretty much how you described. Once you have them locked down with a few wraps, feathering the loose strands with a razor blade makes the transition less noticeable similar to dressing guide feet. When you go to finish over the wrap do it in two or more thin coats. A light first coat just to seal the thread reduces the chance of bubbles escaping into the finish.

Thanks, I pretty much figured that had to be about the only option. I couldn't see doing a complete build without adding one, so I did a fairly simple three thread diamond,six diamonds. It's a little off center, but only if you look hard. My next one will likely be a closed wrap, but shorter in length. I imagine that I will need to feather the loose strands (I didn't on this one), or end up with an excessively high trim band.

I don't do a lot of weaving mainly due to the weight of all the extra epoxy. There are also many other ways to dress up a rod.

I do the same thing you did. If it is sort of bulky, I will do a solid pass to secure the wrap, then after 2 thin coats, I will do a wrap with trim and inlay bands up to where I terminated it.