So I've read about these and how if it goes into the fibers its bad...but how do you tell? I was working on removing an underwraps and scratched the gloss coated blank. It catches my fingernail, but doesn't seem all that deep. How do I know if I ruined my rod? I'd hate to find out the hard way.

Best thing to try is flexing the entire rod, as if you were fighting a fish. If you put some good weight on it and it does not crack/break/make noise then you might be fine, really online time may tell.

I will try this. Does anyone else have any expertise in this? I emailed the Batson, and I will post their response for everyone's knowledge.

It seems everyone knows the rule, but not how to enforce (check) it.

If it's just a scratch in the finish I would not worry about it. Most rods are fairly tough and scratches are of minimal concern. Take a look at it with a magnifying glass, if you can see cut fibers it may be more serious. If the scratched area is going to be under a wrap, you can scrape off a little of finish to see how deep the scratch really is. If the scratch disappears with the finish you are fine.
Norm

I'm hoping it is. I can pull up the trim band and look again; I'll have to go buy a magnifier. I tuck my trims into the main wrap usually, but I can do one of those standalones with the toothpick/straw method. It takes me a few attempts, but I can usually end up with a decent one. I also just thought about taking a close up with my camera, then I can blow it up on the computer monitor.

If you are really concerned then the camera sounds fine, should give you a good view. Scratching a blank is easy to do and does not take a lot of force, cutting graphite fibers is harder to do and requires more force. If you do not think there was much force applied when cutting off the wrap you are probably OK. It is hard to remove threads and epoxy without scratching or even removing the finish. I personally think you are OK.
Norm

Norm, not at all. I was trying a technique I saw of a pro builder on a you tube channel. He spun the blank and ran the razor against the blank's decal to rapidly remove it for assembling the grips. So I tried a similar approach. I spun the blank and LIGHTLY touched the blade to the thread. I didn't go down the entire wrap, just the edge to get it started. The scratch goes around only 20% or less of the blank's circumference near the edge of where the wrap was. That was kind of the reasuring response I was hoping for. It was a light touch, so I'm probably worrying over nothing.

I believe I know the video you are referring to. You are fine. If you need verification,just check out the video on laying down a cord grip by the same gentleman. That ought to speak volumes and set your mind at ease.

May be a different guy. This one only has a few posted and all are big game rods, no cork. I will keep looking on YouTube and try to find the one you are referencing. Thanks for the response!

Randy, I did not wish to post a link to the video as he is not a sponsor among other reasons. I was referring to @#$%&. I typed cord because I meant to say cord. He drills a hole on the butt of the blank to secure the cord through it with a knot. The point I was trying to make is that you ought to be fine.

Ha ha...you typed cord and I saw what I wanted to see. My mistake. Thanks for the words.

You are welcome Randy. Just an honest oversight I'm sure.;-)

So I put a tip top on a different rod this weekend. The heat caused the tip to flatten where the tip top was crimped as I pushed it on. This prevented me from being able to turn and align the tip top. So I decided to cut about 3/8" off the tip. I used a razor, and that thing would NOT go through the grapite. I ended up using a dermal with a cutoff wheel, which worked fine. So I am now loads more confident that I didn't do any damage with the light touch I used on the thread removal.

On a separate note, the one I cut the tip off of was the same I got tangled in the fan, if you read my most recent post. The blank seemed completely undamaged. It just ripped most of the guides out of their wraps. Easy enough...made me glad I went with a simple brown wrap with gold trim band. No inlays or anything, so I will be able to wrap them again rather quickly.