Figure 288.—Lashing bamboo rod to wooden handle:

a, wooden handle, upper view; handle length, 42 inches; upper grooved part (1), 27 inches long; proximal stock part (2) gradually narrowed, ends in rounded knob (3) about 2.75 inches long usually with constricted neck. b, Side view of handle showing curve of stock, triangular in cross section with flat upper surface and sides curved to meet in median longitudinal edge at the back. Stock near groove, 2.7 inches thick; sides as well as upper surface narrow off towards the terminal knob. c, The bamboo butt end (1) is fitted into the groove of the handle and the two lashed together with sennit braid. The end (2) of the braid is placed over the butt end of the bamboo with an upward slant. A transverse turn (3) is taken around both elements and crossed over the short end to fix it. d, A number of close transverse turns (4) are made and the braid end covered by them. The braid is then carried in spiral turns (5) to the upper end of the handle where a few transverse turns (6) are made. e, The braid is then carried back with spiral turns (7) which cross the previous turns on the bamboo rod in the middle line. f, To make the lashing extra secure, a second set of spiral turns both up (8) and down (9) may be applied close to the first set on the same side of the first set. g, In some elaborately lashed rods, a third set of spirals is applied. The third set ascends (10) and descends (11) on the other side of the first set.