Is it advisable to use Pro Wrap Metallic thread for the entire guide wraps from butt to tip or should it only be used sparingly for trim bands or inlays????Thank you for any information in advance.

You can use it as a trim wrap or as the main wrap. Whatever you like.
Norm

Unless you're talking about very heavy SW type use, metallic thread can be effectively used for most guide wraps without ill results. Some of the earlier metallic threads from 2 or 3 decades past were not up to the task, but most modern metallics are.


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I have used Pro-Wrap Metallic for every type of wrap, from Underwraps to trim bands and inserts. You need to keep in mind however that some metallics are much more fragile than polyester or nylon thread. Make sure you test it with your tension at your desired setting to ensure it doesn't break on you mid-wrap!

Rick,
You may be hard-pressed to find someone who disagrees that metallic thread (of the same size) is weaker than non-metallic. That being said, ANY type of thread affords much more holding capacity of guides than actually required. The bottom-line is that while metallic thread may be sufficient for a main wrap, its intended use was for trims / accents. It’s your choice.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Mark - Actually metallic thread has a higher strength than nylon thread, at least according to Gudebrod.
[www.rodbuilding.org]
Norm

Rick,

You can certainly wrap a rod with what ever thread, in what ever manner you wish.

But, for myself, I have never wrapped a guide with the main wrap being metallic.

If a client made a special request, of course I would then do it. I just do not care for the look of a long length of metallic wrapped rod blank.

I am of the type that likes just a glimpse of flash and then the imagination can do its work.

Best wishes.

Rick,

Yes you can use Pro Wrap metallic thread to wrap a guide, and I have done so. The point being to use the correct thread. Pro Wrap has developed Electra metallic thread and if you read the description of it on the Mudhole website you will see that it was developed specifically for wrapping. This is a quote from the website ......

"Inspired by the popular electrifying metallic thread from Gudebrod—ProWrap’s Electra thread features an increased tensile strength for guide security on any rod with a breathtaking holographic effect that brilliantly illuminates your threadwork."

Tom

Norman,
Thanks for your respected, veteran insight. One would be hard-pressed to successfully argue with the findings of a major player such as Gudebrod and theirs would certainly carry more clout than my findings. Nonetheless, I have found present-day metallics (OK, admittedly only ProWrap) to be noticeably weaker (simply breaks easier / sooner) than the same size nylon (NCP if it matters). The diameter of both size A metallic and NCP are fairly consistent at ~.005in. Simply due to the fact that the aluminum foil of the metallics are spiral-wrapped around the nylon core, they offer virtually no additional strength yet, at the same time, add thickness to the overall diameter of the thread = the nylon core must be thinner / smaller diameter. That simply equates to the metallics being weaker than the non-metallics in my book (and experience). Splitting hairs? = possibly. But back to my original comment, “ANY type of thread affords much more holding capacity of guides than actually required” suggests that metallics are strong enough to be used as a main wrap. I don’t, but then I don’t really care for metallics in general; but that may be just me.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

My .02.....I once e mailed Gudebrod and specifically asked if their metallics were strong enough to use as a guide wrap (rookie question, I know)....their response was to send me a very involved chart showing the tensile strength of all their threads. They left it up to me to decide.