is it bad? it seems to fray slightly.

Are you using the thread tension device that sandwiches the thread. See the thread tension post a few posts down from this one. Check out the mod Bill Stevens made to his tensioner:

[www.rodbuilding.org]

what kind of metallic thread are you using?
the stuff i got for starters was terrible to work with...i switched to sulky at the advice of DR and have had zero problems with it

It must be the thread tension device i was using. How about wrapping guides with it, it doesnt seem as strong as regular thread.

It's actually stronger

[www.rodbuilding.org]

But it's harder to prevent gaps and you can oftentimes see the guide feet through the wrap. If you run into this problem you can wrap the feet with A Nylon and then wrap your metallic thread over.

It's a good strong thread, I have a Perigee PLB901MT 30 lb livebait rod, PSH 102 2MT salmon/steelhead, PFT 1085/6 and 9/10 flyrods wrapped with Sulky evergreen metallic that blends into the blank color, I've had no problems in the last 3 years or so.

I use it all the time with no strength problem and no gap problems and no seeing ft through the thread problems.

Sulky Metallics are lightyears ahead of Gudebrod and all others. They lay flatter and are not as suseptible to gapping or shredding as the rest of the pack. I find their colors much more appealing as well. Great product. But avoid the tensioners that put pressure on the thread. A simple post with some washers, a spring and wing nut will make a handy tension device. Mike Barkley's use of a large spring clip is a nice way to make fast adjustments and spool changes.
[www.rodbuilding.org]

Good wraps,
Dave Gilberg