If it's just for the odd rope at home then you can take an old kitchen knife that you don't mind sacrificing, heating the end of the blade on the gas stove and chopping when it's hot (glowing). It'll tarnish the knife which then goes in your DIY box for next time. If you're in a shop selling cord off the reel you'll obviously want something more efficient.
Or just cut the rope flat, with a very sharp knife, on a chopping board and then melt the end in a gas flame and smooth with a wetted finger. Not great if you've got lots to do, but perfectly sound for a few.
> you can take an old kitchen knife that you don't mind sacrificing, heating the end of the blade on the gas stove and chopping when it's hot (glowing).
Crikey, this takes me back and I'm not talking ropes (However this action usually lead to me feeling pretty ropey)
Even better if you tightly wind electrical tape around the rope first and cut through the tape, and melt the end in the gas flame with the tape still on. You can get a really neat finish this way.