Which one are the lightest? I want to build 5C60LF and looking for lightest guides available. I`ve lately build a Seeker BS591 on Recoil guides with Sic/Ti top and it`s a nice rod. Thanks for input.
Regards,

The weight difference would be very, very slight. I haven't weighed these so I'm afraid I can't tell you for sure.

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This discussion has been a hot point across several boards. My conclusions, based on what I've read, and from handling the guides, is that the REC's are only marginally lighter. I think someone here has actually weighed them: a search with the keywords "Recoil weight" should bring this up.. There are various other pros and cons, most of which are well known. Up to you and the customer as to what you'd use in the end.

I have weighed single foot Recoils & compared them to Fuji Gold Cermets
Single foot Recoil guides are lighter by tenths of a "grain" not tenths of an ounce.
There 437.5 grains in one ounce.
Double foot recoils are heavier.
The finished rod will permorm better with Gold Cermets.
The finished rod will likely perform better with Fuji Ti - SIC's although I haven't made that comparision..
Gil

Hello Gil
Can you elaborate more on the conclusion on that Gold Cermets perform better than ???
And on what bases that Fuji Ti-Sic's perform better than ???
Thanks
Joe
HIS Rod Shop

His Rod Shop
Joe Kassuba

I have no definitive data. but I have used recoil, cerment, and ti-sic. The thin wire recoils sure look and feel like they are lighter. The recoil tops with the thin wire and aluminum tube are very light (ugly too). The Sic TI guides are also pretty light in the smaller sizes. I think the larger bearing area of the ceramic ringed guides and the great slickness of the surface probably does give them the edge. I find myself using the TI-sic guides most of the way up and using the recoil for the last few guides on top. I feel like that is a good combination because I get the line straightened out and running straight with the "slicker" guides and all the top guides do is sorta keep it from sagging too much.

At least for a fly rod, I do not subscribe to the idea that the absolute lightest setup is always the best.

Joe
Let me start with the fact that I only use Gold Cermet guides.
Myself & my customers perfer them to any other guides & are willing to pay the price.
I am a saltwater fisherman as are most of my customers, distance is a primary concern.
By actual comparision the Gold Cermets feel slicker, shoot line further & will cast about 10 % further.
The blanks that I use are Sage XP's, Xi-2"s & TCR's. I don't have any data on the Z Axis yet.
Comparsions were made to factory built rods with similar ERN values.
As expected, the results varied with the ability of the caster.
I suggested that Ti-SIC should also perform better (cast further) than wire guides because the Ti-SIC is almost as light & slick as the Gold Cermet.
I have weighted both & know this to be true.
I strongly believe that what I'm saying is true, but I don't know if the cost would be justified for rods intended for small freshwater streams.
Gil

Thanks for your opinion Gil.
Joe

His Rod Shop
Joe Kassuba

Gil
Would like to correspond with you about the Saltchuck. My email is hisrodshop@charter.net.
Joe


His Rod Shop
Joe Kassuba