Decoration article having clear layer and method of forming the same

A method of forming a decoration article having a clear layer, the decoration article comprising:

• a rod-shaped core material;
• a cylindrical decorative cover having a shape retaining property, configured to cover the core material over an entire circumference in a sectional circumferential direction of the core material, including a plurality of split members split along the sectional circumferential direction of the core material and having a base part and a decoration layer provided on a surface of the base part, and
• a transparent clear layer formed by a mold forming so as to cover an outer surface of the decoration layer over an entire circumference in a sectional circumferential direction of the decoration cover covering the core material,
• wherein the base part of the decorative cover including a large diameter part having the decoration layer and covered with the clear layer, step parts configured to come closer to the core material from both ends of the large diameter part than the large diameter part, and small diameter parts extending from inner periphery edges of the step parts so as to be separate from the large diameter part,
• wherein the respective split members are configured to form a mutually continuing cylindrical shape body around the core material when the split members are arranged around the core material,
• wherein the clear layer is arranged to leave exposed parts over entire circumferences of both terminals of the small diameter parts and to cover an outer periphery ranging from the large diameter part including the decoration layer to the small diameter parts via the step parts, and
• wherein a cover member adjacent to the decoration layer and configured to cover the small diameter parts is arranged at both ends of the decorative cover,
• the method comprising:
• arranging the respective split members of the decorative cover around the core material,
• setting the core material having the split members arranged thereto in an opened clear layer molding tool by using the exposed parts of the small diameter parts as a support part, and
• closing the tool to form the clear layer.