How to stripe a ramrod

[rbs]

How do you stripe a ramrod? I've read post that says put wet cotton around ramrod and then burn. But how do you burn the rod? Is there a better way? Thanks.

[elk killer]

just use masking tape,,
cut to what ever size you want the stripe to be,,
wrap it around the rod in a spiral..
stain the wood..remove the tape,
either stain where the tape was, with a different color stain or leave it plain.
then just add finish to the rod

[TMerkley]

On mine, I use a piece of copper wire wrapped around the ramrod and then follow the wire with a propane torch.  Propane torch works very well as you control the tip of the flame. 

[Scout]

Did any of the original long rifles have striped rods ?

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Don't know all the facts and I am sure there are exceptions. I think striping is a 19thcentury fashion ...or later.  I don't find it very attractive myself. It seems to go along with German silver and mother of pearl inlays by the dozen, in my view. Others mileage may vary

[Greg W]

This works well for me:
Get a strip of leather, something flexible.  Slit to desired thickness.
Soak leather strip in water, then wring out.
Wrap around rod for the candy stripe affect.
Secure ends with knot or a metal binder type paper clip.
Scorch exposed wood with propane torch.
I work my way down while twisting the rod.
Just hold torch to it long enough to completely blacken the stripe.
Remove leather strip.  Sand the little bit of charred wood off.
I just wrap sandpaper around the RR and sand end to end.
Stain and finish as desired. 
I like this method because you can feel the stripes due to the removal of the little bit of charred wood.

[flintriflesmith]

I have had a chance to examine some original stripped rods and the part inside the stock is, of course, the best preserved and I have never seen one that looked like the stripe was burned on. I have come to believe that they were done simply by painting on stain. Often there are little bobbles in the line and, more importantly, places where the stain "ran" in the grain/porosity of the hickory. I don't see how any form of burning could leave that.

Also painting on stripes was how artificial graining was done so the tradesmen of the period would be familiar with that process--if not in their own work, in furniture etc.

Personally I Have only done a few but I did the freehand by turning the rod and eyeballing the line width and spacing.
Gary