I'm building a 590-4 XP and I want the best of everything for this rod. What's the practical difference between the hard-chrome, titanium, etc. ?And what about SIC gunsmoke? Simply; what are the lightest and most endurable guides on the market?

:o)
Tore

The Fuji Titanium Cermet hands down. Hope you are wealthy though as they will cost you about $150 to $200 per set!! Probably a bit less if you can buy wholesale. Still want the best of everything?

Next up is the stainless framed Cermet and then the titanium framed SIC and then after that the stainless framed SIC.

After those you got the Alconites and then everything else lumped into a pile. How much practical difference is there between all these I really don't know. None of the ceramic guides will ever wear out unless you step on them or beat them around quite a bit. Worth the money? They are to me and some others but they are not for everyone.

Thanks Chuck,
but I'm primarily looking for snake guides. I'm a bit consevative on the cosmetic side. What's the same rating on snake guides?

Tore

Mike,
A good alternative to try is TiGold or TiCN ring guides. Made of titanium carbide plated frames with either titanium nitride or titanium carbide plated over zircon rings. These are light, attractive, and with hard rings almost like SiC. Functional and well priced.

These guides are very popular with custom rodbuilders and are durable. I've been using them almost exclusively and think they are the best for the money and looks.

As Chuck points out, if money is less the object go for ceremet. For darker might go with the next best Titanium framed/SiC ring. TiGold with lite ticarb plated frame, an extemely nice consideration for your quality custom rod and proud to show.

Rich
Richard's Rod & Reel
Solyrich Custom Rods

If you are only interested in snake guides -- Snake Brand

There's a link to the left, and I know Golden Witch carries them.

You might go to haroly fly single foot fly guide I would recomend this to a beginner or any one over a snake guide you can cast much with this style of guide,(BLG by Fujie.) Haroly well do you just fine. How experienced of a fly fisherman are you.and where are you from?
Bob

I have put Fuji Titanium Frame Cermet guide, Titanium Frame SIC, and Stainless Frame SIC on fly rods. What I discover that the NEW concept titanium SIC frame get better performance that most. The
cermet Ti frame is light no doubt that the only frame style you can get in the state is the TiGG which has a tall frame. This IMHO is not the greatest for fly rod, especially the slower action ones (e.g. Scott
Arch, but is OK for the Scott STS). The new concept "J" frame SIC is the most ideal form AFAIK. The guide ring is so close to the blank. It is lighter and the finish is the best so far from Fuji. I have
used it on GUSA, Loomis, St Croix and Scott, all have great result. If cost is an issue, I would recommended only use Ti frame on the single foot ones and go with the stainless on the strippers. If cost no
subject, you may be able to order some titanium gold nitrate frame cermet direct from some vendors in Japan. For the ultimate, MULTI LIFETIME GUIDe the Titanium Gold nitrate Ruby will set you back
US$80 on a 6 size, that is if you can get it!!

Hope this would help you to decide what you need.

Good fishing (catching) <*)))))))><{

Thanks for the many good tips, guys!

What a great forum!!

Best,
Tore