I'm starting to think about doing a casting build . Taking it step by step starting with guide selection . Can any tell me the difference between Fuji's KW and LRV guides ? I can see the difference and read the marketing write ups but was wondering if there is a real world - on the water difference ? In the same size , I believe they are within 0.1 mm in height and within about $2.00 in cost . The build will be for freshwater on a 7'2' to 7'6" high modulus blank ( have not decided which yet ) . I haven't done a casting build in 40 years or more but , unless yall advise against it , I was thinking of following the KW or LRV with KBs and KTs . Unless yall tell me the LRV is better , I don't know if I could ever get over looking at it and thinking I put it on backwards :)
I'd appreciate any advise yall could give .
Thanks .
Ron

I have not used the LRV guides, but you are right they can be used in place of KW guides for building a casting rod. However, they only come in a titanium frame and thus are more expensive than stainless guides. The KW guides come in both a titanium and stainless frame. If you want to use the LRV guides, I would go with LRV10, followed by an LRV6, which is then followed by KB/KT runners in the size of your choice. I usually use 2-3 KB guides which are then followed by KT guides. This would be very similar to using a KW10 followed by a KW5.5 and then the KB/KT runners. If you are going to use titanium guides, I personally would use an RV6 butt guide followed by a KW5.5, and then followed by the KB/KT runners. The RV6 was specially designed to be used in a KR concept casting rod. The RV6 is quite different from the LRV6 guide since it has a much higher frame and is specifically used only as a butt guide.
Norm

Norman Miller Wrote:
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> I have not used the LRV guides, but you are right
> they can be used in place of KW guides for
> building a casting rod. However, they only come in
> a titanium frame and thus are more expensive than
> stainless guides. The KW guides come in both a
> titanium and stainless frame. If you want to use
> the LRV guides, I would go with LRV10, followed by
> an LRV6, which is then followed by KB/KT runners
> in the size of your choice. I usually use 2-3 KB
> guides which are then followed by KT guides. This
> would be very similar to using a KW10 followed by
> a KW5.5 and then the KB/KT runners. If you are
> going to use titanium guides, I personally would
> use an RV6 butt guide followed by a KW5.5, and
> then followed by the KB/KT runners. The RV6 was
> specially designed to be used in a KR concept
> casting rod. The RV6 is quite different from the
> LRV6 guide since it has a much higher frame and is
> specifically used only as a butt guide.
> Norm

Thank you Norm . I had looked at the RV6 but was unsure if the height would be too great . From what you have said , am I wrong to think you normally use KWs ? Very much appreciated .
Ron

For freshwater rods I mostly use KW10, KW5.5 and KB/KT runners in BC stainless frame with Alconite rings. For saltwater rods I normally use RV6, KW5.5 (sometimes KB5.5) and KB/KT runners in black titanium (T2) frames with slim Sic rings.. I’ve also used the titanium RV6 with polished stainless SIc guides, to save a little money. I like the looks of the RV6, it gives the rod a different and custom built look.
Norm

Norman Miller Wrote:
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> For freshwater rods I mostly use KW10, KW5.5 and
> KB/KT runners in BC stainless frame with Alconite
> rings. For saltwater rods I normally use RV6,
> KW5.5 (sometimes KB5.5) and KB/KT runners in black
> titanium (T2) frames with slim Sic rings.. I’ve
> also used the titanium RV6 with polished
> stainless SIc guides, to save a little money. I
> like the looks of the RV6, it gives the rod a
> different and custom built look.
> Norm

Norm,
Again , thank you very much . Since you suggested it , I'll go with the RV6 followed by KW5.5 . I see what you're saying about a custom look with the RV6 but it'll probably take a bit of getting used to . Thanks again .
Ron

Norm has you covered here.

I went with an RV6 straight to two or three KB 5's and the rest KT 5's. These are freshwater ML to MH casting rods. I don't think you will notice the "reverse" guide all that much once you get it wrapped up. It's not a very big guide footprint, IMO.

I was looking at a Fuji KR Concept chart for casting rods just a couple days ago, and I noticed they suggested (2) KW style guides in 10 and 5.5, as Norm states. Oopss! I only used the one RV6 and then the KB's and KT's. The rods seem to perform very well.

Les Cline Wrote:
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> Norm has you covered here.
>
> I went with an RV6 straight to two or three KB 5's
> and the rest KT 5's. These are freshwater ML to MH
> casting rods. I don't think you will notice the
> "reverse" guide all that much once you get it
> wrapped up. It's not a very big guide footprint,
> IMO.
>
> I was looking at a Fuji KR Concept chart for
> casting rods just a couple days ago, and I noticed
> they suggested (2) KW style guides in 10 and 5.5,
> as Norm states. Oopss! I only used the one RV6 and
> then the KB's and KT's. The rods seem to perform
> very well.

Thank you . I'm sure the look of the reverse guide won't be a serious problem . Since you have built with the RV6 , did it change the performance in any way when compared to any KW builds you had done ? Also , I thought I had the Fuji site figured out but it seems I don't . Could you let me know how to find the KR Concept chart for casting rods you mentioned ? I have used the KR GPS but doubt that is what your talking about ?? Thanks again .
Ron

While I have no rigorous test cast distance data, I only use the RV6 followed by KB?KT's and do not feel there is a significant difference between that setup and the use of a size 10 double foot guide as a stripper. I've done both and have evolved towards the RV6.

If I were building simple spirals, I might do it differently. But I'm not.

Hi all - I ran across this doing a google search of K-series guides. Pretty good article from Anglers Resource trying to explain things. I learned a few things. Might be a good read to better understand the differences...

[anglersresource.net]

I appreciate the help from all you . Thank you .

Mr. Danek
With Michael Danek , Les Cline , and Norm Miller suggesting RV6 , I can't see where there could be any other choice .

Mr. Fiant
Excellent article . Thank you . Now , if I can just find the Fuji KR chart for casting rods that Mr. Cline mentioned , I think I will be on my way to understanding this .

Thanks again .
Ron

Ronald,

My best recollection is that I found it doing an on-line search under: 'Fuji KR Concept' or 'Fuji KR Concept Charts'.

I don't recall the exact name of the site.

Les Cline Wrote:
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> Ronald,
>
> My best recollection is that I found it doing an
> on-line search under: 'Fuji KR Concept' or 'Fuji
> KR Concept Charts'.
>
> I don't recall the exact name of the site.

Thank you . I'll try several online searches until I find it . I have also emailed Fuji asking for help finding this .
Ron

I think the RV 6 looks pretty good on a rod. I follow with a kw 5.5 or 5. Took me a while to get over not having 3 df guides.

I did notice on some SC crank bait rods, it looks like KWesque in 8 (4.2 ID) to six to the runners

My most preferred setup is an RV6 stripper guide followed by the LRV, if the second guide needs to be double footed for strength. Subjectively, I feel like the RV6 casts better than the other options I’ve tried. The line path is very nice. I’ve gone away from everything else for freshwater baitcasting rods, unless cost savings is a dominant objective.

is the LRV a lower version of the RV6?

Yes, the “L” in the code actually signifies this.

I wish they made in in a size 5.5 or 5.0.

Kendall Cikanek Wrote:
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> Yes, the “L” in the code actually signifies
> this.

thats what i was assuming but figured id ask. thx!!

so your running an RV6, then an LVR6, the KB's/KT's?

Kendall Cikanek Wrote:
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> My most preferred setup is an RV6 stripper guide
> followed by the LRV, if the second guide needs to
> be double footed for strength. Subjectively, I
> feel like the RV6 casts better than the other
> options I’ve tried. The line path is very nice.
> I’ve gone away from everything else for
> freshwater baitcasting rods, unless cost savings
> is a dominant objective.

It's good to hear another vote for the RV6 and that you notice a subjective improvement . Thank you ..
Ron

Les Cline Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Norm has you covered here.
>
> I went with an RV6 straight to two or three KB 5's
> and the rest KT 5's. These are freshwater ML to MH
> casting rods. I don't think you will notice the
> "reverse" guide all that much once you get it
> wrapped up. It's not a very big guide footprint,
> IMO.
>
> I was looking at a Fuji KR Concept chart for
> casting rods just a couple days ago, and I noticed
> they suggested (2) KW style guides in 10 and 5.5,
> as Norm states. Oopss! I only used the one RV6 and
> then the KB's and KT's. The rods seem to perform
> very well.

I’ve built two rods with RV6’s going straight to KB’s and really like their casting. I’m not really sure when the second guide should be a double footed LRV for strength.