hardloy or aluminum oxide
 

wich hold up better?

sic

Hold up to what? Abuse, braided line, etc....

abuse

I don't think one will handle more abuse than the other.
I use hardloys on most stuff I build, hold up well, use an alconite or sic tip and you're good to go.

Hardaloys are better and cost pennies more. None of the custom builders around here use aluminum oxide.

The only time they ever made sense is when Fuji sold them with the flourescent shock ring between the frame and the inlay.

Now that AO and Hardaloy use the same frame, AO shouldn't even be on the table to consider ;)

Guides
 

I started out using SiC but have heard much about the Sics being so hard (brittle) that the ring breaks pretty easy. I then switched to Alconite and they are not only very hard, look good, are cheaper than SiCs, but they are also made in the "Fuji Concept" ( but only "concept "if I'm not mistaken) which I like a lot.

I would go to them way before Hardaloys unless the cost is an issue. Just my opinion. But you have to do what you like!!! Paul

I till have a bunch of the Fuji Green Shock Ring Guides for the canal guys. Getting tough to find . Fuji did away with them 2 or 3 years ago.

I agree the avrage set of Alconites is only about $7 more than hardloys. not much when you are spending $200 +- on a custom rod

http://www.americantackle.us/cimages/GCBV.jpghttp://www.americantackle.us/cimages/SCUV.jpghttp://www.americantackle.us/cimages/GCCV.jpghttp://www.americantackle.us/cimages/BCCV.jpg

American tackle Zirconia Rings with Titanium Nitride coating. Look great & are very durable. Cost right in between SIC's & Hardloys.

http://www.americantackle.us/docs/hfguides.htm

Ask NEBE what guides he has on his AllStar 1088 :laugha:

-spence

I have the Amataks on a rod and the rings look good, but the frames have quite a bit of green verdigris on them. The rods I have with Fuji's on them get about the same abuse and haven't turned green.....

I would be curious to see what it looks like if you have a pic..The same ones as that? Cause I find them to be the same quality if not better than Fuji... I have no green buildup? I give my rods a good rinse after each trip though....

I havent had any problems with the Amtak guides with Halide rings either. They are great too.
Fuji hardloys are great guides...

I have some Fuji Aluminum Oxide?(I think) guides on a store bought Tica schoolie Rod.... & they look awful after 1 season.

Heres a pic

Not as bad as that!!!! Just some green, but more than the Fuji's. My rods see some fishing before work and a good baking in the car all day, not a lot of opportunity to rinse.....

love the sic' for the beaches, but in the rocks i've had more than a few break- and i'm carefull with my gear. been using hardloys- pretty durable for the most part. just got a usa allstar 965 blank and i'm gonna try alconites on it.

I'm finding the same thing with the Amtaks..........I'm a little disappointed.

Amtak Halide ring. That is year & a half old. Fish mono. Been slammed on the rocks a bunch of times & got close to daily fishing during the season. It has the same frame as the titanium nitride rings. Worked out well for me. Dont think it plays nice with braid though.