For a 20 - 30 lb carbon rod, I intend to use a Sic tip but not sure about the rest of the guides. Rod will be used with both mono & braid. Do you think Hardloy good enough or should I go for Sic all the way. Double the costs and isn't Sic more brittle and prone to breakage? Also, while I'll be underbinding would you overbind with single or double. Will be using size C or D thread.

ken

Ken,
Virtually all of the ceramic guides of your choice on the marke today will pass line with out wearing.
It is really a matter of personal preferance.
Really little difference with respcet to brittle or breakage issues for the various ceramic guides.

Take care
Roger

Ken,

A little more info would help. Are you talking about a 20-30 pound freshwater rod or salt? There's a vast difference in power there, twice the power or more for the salt blank, even for the same line rating. It sounds like you're talking salt rod, with underwraps and single or double overwraps, but it's not clear. As Roger said, any of the ceramics will hold up. I would focus more on the frame style and material and ensure that the frames will hold up to the load, regardless of ring material. As to double overwraps, they are definitely not needed on a 30 pound salt rod. Check this thread for more information:

[rodbuilding.org]

A search will turn up many other posts regarding thread strength.

Jason Cosby
Cos Rods

Jason, it's a 20/30lb salt water rod. It'll be used mainly for lures esp metal lures between 40 - 100gm (1.5 - 3.5oz). I checked with the tackle shop where I got my blank and noted that their rodbuilder uses Fuji Hardloy on the same blanks. There should be no problem for me to use the same. Frame stylewise, as I'll be using Fuji's new guide concept in locating the guides I may as well get the right model guides. Looks like I will be saving myself some work as not really needing a double overwrap. I'll be using size C non NCP thread as that is what is commonly available here. In US looks like size D is common. Either is fine I think. Now all I have to decide is whether I stick to colors I already have or get some more.

ken