I have seen some brief threads (whoa....bad pun there) about the use of Kevlar threads. Does anyone have any hands-on experience with using them for rod building. I know people that use them for fly and lure making.

Derek

While Kevlar would be stronger, you can wrap regular thread too tight as it is.

Given that, there is no point in using anything stronger and more expensive.

I can't see that there would be any point to it. Regular nylon thread is as strong as we need for rod building and much cheaper than Kevlar. Kevlar is fairly abrasive stuff. I tried it for spinning deer hair bass bugs and it wasn't easy to work with. The first couple I tried to tie, I cut right through the deer hair. I knew just how much tension to use with the "old" thread and using the same tension with the Kevlar caused it to cut the hair. I gave up on it fairly early and went back to my old thread permanently.

Derek,
I have had a little experience with the Kevlar thread. It is strong as heck but it is difficult to wrap with. It has no stretch and what I had was flat not round plus it only comes in a couple of relatively dull colors. I think that Gerry and Richard are probably right that it is not worth the effort.

Derek:

I purchased Kevlar thread (4 oz.) to use on a project. It is flat, extremely strong, with absolutely no stretch. The stuff is expensive and comes only in the colors the manufacturers think you want. It is also extremely hard to dye. Forget all about it and use nylon or silk. They come in the colors you need, they have a stretch factor that alows the guide foot to move, and they are more forgiving.

Doug Weber
Weber Rod Works

Thank you all for confirming my suspicions.

Derek