When the rod is all finished the two sections should be the same length.

If the ferrules are not mounted, measure the thickness of the butt cap, the slide length and water dam of the female ferrule then subtract that number from the target length to see where to cut the butt. Measure the male's water dam and the tiptop to see where to cut the female. Always measure the cane where the ferrule station will be and use that as a firm point to measure from(for example, if you used a 13/64" ferrule then cut the cane where it measures .203").

If the ferrules are mounted, just the tiptop and the butt cap need to be measured to figure out where to cut.