Quote:
Originally Posted by Higgie
Not to high jack this thread but is there a significant cost fdifference between running the present KW guides versus the titanium??
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device
|
Yes, the titanium is way more expensive.
For example, just pricing 4 guides a KW40,25,16,10
in steel alconite they would run about $31
in titanium alconite about $146
in titanium sic about $172
Figure another extra above steel cost of $30-40 total for 5-6 small runners in titanium, and about $15 extra more for a titanium tip (which uses a steel tube by the way) and you probably pay a premium of about 150-180 bucks to use titanium.
On the other hand if you build your own rods, $150 bucks for something you'll use for years is well worth it and the end cost is about what you'd pay for a custom built with cheaper guides (the resale value on the custom will hold better, however, unless you are a very good rod builder which most of us are not).
The problem is that guide systems are likely changing soon. If/when Fuji comes out with KW-H small ring high guides the weight difference between them and titanium will likely not be enough to justify the expense (the smaller the guide the smaller the weight saving with titanium). THere is also this new 'microwave' guide system that I have not experimented with.
You (or more likely I ) can also make too big a deal out of small weight differences. The present alconite K guides (KWAG) are pretty light compared to old hardaloy HVG's, and starting with smaller collectors and running guides saves weight as well. I love the rods I've built with Titanium low riders as collector and transition guides, but I've cast friend's rods built with KWAG guides that are very nice as well.
Lots of other factors come into play when talking about effective rod weight while fishing. How you hold the rod, how big the reel is, how long the butt is, how heavy a plug you are retrieving, and how big/strong/young you are are all factors that make a difference and don't change with guide choice.
Threaded Mode