A coated rod-like handle, and an apparatus and method of molding a protective coat on a portion of a rod-like handle. The method includes the steps of: (1) providing a mold having at least one projection extending radially inwardly from an inside wall of the mold and so positioned and configured to support the portion of the rod-like handle placed concentrically inside the mold and to prevent the said portion of the rod-like handle from deforming laterally during an injection molding cycle; and (2) injecting a molding material under pressure through an inlet in the mold so as to form a protective coat on and about the said portion of the rod-like handle.