I'm working on a build of a four piece, 13' centerpin rod on a Batson Rainshadow 1563-4 blank. I'm using Pro Wrap nylon size A for the guide and decorative butt wraps. I have some Pro Wrap tiger which would go well with the color scheme of this build and I'm thinking of using it for the three ferrule wraps. While the Pro Wrap tiger is listed as an "A" size", it is noticeable thicker than regular A nylon. It appears to be two strands of A thread twisted together. I don't have much experience with the Pro Wrap tiger and I have a couple of questions: 1. Will using this tiger for ferrule wraps effect the performance of the blank, i.e. stiffen the ferrules noticeably? 2. Will it add extra weight to the build, as compared to regular A nylon? 3. Will it be as strong a reinforcement for the ferrules as regular nylon? Generally speaking, is Pro Wrap tiger suitable for guide wraps?

Thread wraps don't stiffen the blank nor ferrules. Yes it will weigh more than smaller diameter thread but the difference will be miniscule. It will be fine for a ferrule reinforcement wrap and there is no reason you can't use it for guide wraps.

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After reading so many comments from manufacturers claiming there is absolutely no need for ferrule wraps with their blanks i wasn't sure what to believe and wrapped the ferrules anyway . I received two new blanks a few months ago and decided to call and talk to a few blank designers from some of the top manufacturers in the industry about it . They convinced me not to bother as it will only add additional weight as their ferrules are triple reinforced and rock solid . I was also told they're so confident in the strength of their ferrules that they guaranteed against failure .

Well i decided not to bother and man they were right , i fish these rods super hard and throw weights at the upper end of the blanks rated limits with power and no issues whatsoever , the whole look is much much sleeker and streamlined and i'm happy to avoid any extra weight which is an added bonus.

I should say that if you're wrapping for clients and a seller of your work, i would still wrap them because the customer expects to see that because it's been the norm for decades , i'm talking about my own personal rods. The percentage of those who continue to wrap ferrules is approx 98% , they make every excuse in the book to ferrule wrap and think not wrapping is crazy , thats fine but i'm not one of them.

I experimented, ( Did i say that) and it payed off convincing me to forget ferrule wrapping .

Not all manufacturers are in agreement on this topic but ferrule strength and tech have come a long way .

In regards to your situation , just keep the ferrule wraps short or make two short sections not one long one and you will be good to go even with the heavier thread.

Herb,
Perfectly fine that you do not need to wrap the joint.

But, I will continue to wrap the joint because it is what I prefer to do. I prefer the look and any weight gain is absolutely undetectable to me when I use the rod.

But, by all means, build as you like and do as you like.

That is why we call this profession - "Custom rod building."

Be safe

Make sure to use CP as Tiger wrap is not color fast . I know , I didn't and had to rewrap that whole rod .

Some companies still advise to wrap the ferrule. Others say it is not necessary. We covered the different companies and their respective policies in a RodMaker article a few years ago.

When in doubt, call the company or just wrap regardless.

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i would never purchase a blank from a company that would trust me to reinforce their rod..lol.

Don't know about now, but the old G Loomis rods were wrapped with "B" thread, they worked fine.

I want to make sure Roberts questions are answered so i will attempt to answer a few and move on from whether to wrap ferrules or not .


# 1 question : Will using this tiger for ferrule wraps effect the performance of the blank, i.e. stiffen the ferrules noticeably?


Tom answered this one already , i prefer two short approx 1/2 inch length wraps instead of one long continuous one but not a big deal either way in my view.


# 2 question: " Will it add extra weight to the build, as compared to regular A nylon"?


I believe Tom answered that one as well .


# 3 question: " Will it be as strong a reinforcement for the ferrules as regular nylon and is Pro Wrap tiger suitable for guide wraps" ?


Just checked and Tom was on top of this question also .



Seems we're all caught up then , i'm glad i was able to answer all your questions , sometimes others chime in and offer assistance but it wasn't necessary this time .





Yes, folks i'm joking.

Hello Tom.

The articles (2) on wrapping or not on the ferrules were in the V-11 / I-4 / Pg.-16 and V-18 / I-4 / Pg.-22.

Hope that helps.



Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.