sic guides

[ejrobin]

do sic guides handle braid well

[mdesouza]

YES

Mike D

[Mr SwimJig]

Best guides going.

SJ

[Mattman]

In looking at hardness values of various guide rings, SiC is really at the top of the heap...


Stainless Steel (SS): 400
Chrome: 800-1000
Carbaloy: 1000
Aluminum Oxide: 1200-1400
Alconite : 1300-1500
NanoLite : 1800
Zirconia: 1000-1400
Zirconia PVD: 1600
SiC: 2200-2400

[breezy]

In looking at hardness values of various guide rings, SiC is really at the top of the heap...


Stainless Steel (SS): 400
Chrome: 800-1000
Carbaloy: 1000
Aluminum Oxide: 1200-1400
Alconite : 1300-1500
NanoLite : 1800
Zirconia: 1000-1400
Zirconia PVD: 1600
SiC: 2200-2400

Matt, in your opinion how much of a difference does insert material make? What is the point of diminishing returns?

If I remember correctly before the site crash I saw a post that said you only used SiC on your personal rods because others felt 'sluggish'?

[Mattman]

Matt, in your opinion how much of a difference does insert material make? What is the point of diminishing returns?

If I remember correctly before the site crash I saw a post that said you only used SiC on your personal rods because others felt 'sluggish'?

Note that my opinions are coming from the perspective a custom builder...


From a hardness perspective, Aluminum Oxide is fine for most all applications. But its heavy in comparison.

It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish with the rod. With the increased hardness, also comes lighter weight.

On a cranking rod, you really don't need a high end guide. Especially with glass. Feel isn't important, light weight isn't super critical, so you can get away with a heavier lower end guide.

On a rod for feel applications, keeping your guide weight down is a critical part of having a sensitive rod. With lighter guides you are giving your blank the best chance at getting vibration to your fingers.

Too many guys just think light weight. But the weight reduction is really important for the blanks responsiveness and sensitivity. Sure, feeling light is nice, but encumbering the blank less is what really pays off.

With micro guides, stepping up to SiC is less of a concern. Given the small size, the actual weight difference between SiC and Alconite is very little. Its still that 15% that typically comes with the Alconite vs SiC weights, but its just such a small number that it isn't noticable.


On my personal rods, I don't use anything less than SiC. Stainless framed SiC is the low grade option and titanium framed SiC is my typical option.

#1 - I stock and use a lot of SiC so its just convenient.

#2 - In my opinion, a $20 set of Alconites doesn't belong on a $400 custom rod. That's like getting a set of tires for your brand new Corvette from the feed store. Sure, the car will roll with them on, but its performance will be lacking.

#3 - For $20 more I can cut 15% of the weight out and increase the hardness of the ceramic half again.