Hi,

I've built 5-6 rods all light freshwater spinning or casting. I've always used size A nylon thread. Some D for Weaves.

After looking at some picture of a few Bamboo rods that have used Silk thread, I was amazed at how it looked.

I guess my question is:

Are there any downsides to using silk thread for the types of rods that are listed above?

Is it hard to work with? Are there finishing issues? Is it not as strong?

Just wondering.

Thanx in advance PO

I have not used it very much, and not at all in the past few years. Russ Gooding did a nice article for us in the last issue of RodMaker (volume 4 #4) concerning the use of silk and how to best wrap and finish with it. I'm sure someone else will weigh in with more specifics.

.............

I use silk exclusively for fly rods. I like the colour and texture and the fact that it is a natural product. I always use colour preserver made for silk thread (2 coats). Silk is generally a little finer diameter than the 'A' specified so there is a bit more time involved in wrapping (very little when using single foot guides on fly rods). The small dia. can also be a problem if you don't take extra care in preparing the guide feet.

It is possible to get some 'fuzz' in the wraps but this is generally not a problem - I give them a quick pass with an alcohol torch if this occurs.

Give it a try, I think you will enjoy the effect.

Andy

Silk being one of the stongest natural materials known, is one reason we've been using it and it is beautiful stuff to work with as Andy points out. We like the range of tones and the handling qualities, especially of the metallics. Be sure to use the A size for the larger rods.
The downside is expense, and finding the right brands preferably the Japanese we find are the best. Also special treating with a solvent based color preserver soaked well into the threads and then rotating. Repeat this step and the richness of the colors remain present.
You have to play around a bit with shades and tones to see what you like to match with certain blanks.

For normal usage custom rods, silk may be a bit outlandish and something possible to reserve for those special projects, but definitely I and Solly enjoy the properties of strength, integrity of the thread (not kinky or 'grainy'), the different color range than nylons, and they also lay and pull together into a quality wrap with practice. Also, I wouldn't see much point in using black silk thread over nylon. Silk seems to lend itself more toward the artistry end of the spectrum in custom rodbuilding, but I can see it also playing a functional role with strength. We've seen no durability problems and many years of use on bamboo should attest to this.

Andy points out the smaller diameter in A size, and really not that difficult to deal with compared to A nylon. Silk makes for beautiful buttwraps. We like the Kanawaga (spelling?) brand with Al's color rite color preserver. Apply your normal epoxy finish like with nylon and viola!

Wonder if anyone has played around with spider web 'silk' . It is suppose to be even stronger? research anyone???

Rich
Solyrich Custom Rods

Besides Al's, which color preservatives are solvent based?

thanks
Kerry