Tomos,
Then there is the other side of the story.
In years past, I built a number of spiral wrapped guides. Some simple spiral, some with several transition guides.

But, simply put, every rod came back to me and the client asked for a conventional casting rod. They gave different reasons why they wanted a conventional rod over a spiral wrapped guide. But, to me - it made no difference, but, if the customer wanted something, and in this case they wanted conventionally wrapped guides. By the way, all of the spiral wrapped rods cast about the same distance as the conventional rods. The spiral wrapped rods never had the line rubbing the blank. But, during casting and during reeling on the conventional, there was never any line touching either. Sure, with a conventional rod - on a big fish and a heavy bend in the rod there was a bit of line rubbing, but I never did any reeling under these time. I would just wait until I bent forward for another bite on the fish that I would reel and during those times there was no rubbing of the line on the blank.

Simply put - it is up to the client what he/she wants. From my perspective, that is what they get.

I let them know that the spiral wrap is available if they wish - but it is entirely up to them.

Take care

Tom,

As you mentioned, there are many spiral wrap systems that work well. Question for you. I know that you have been a big promoter of the spiral wrap, and rightfully so. Would the performance of the spiral wrap be enhanced by achieving the180 degree side more quickly, as in getting there with 2 guides rather than say 5, so that more of the softer side of the blank is utilized? Would the tendency for the rod to torque be reduced? I haven't had the opportunity to experiment, and wondered if you had any thoughts on this.

Thanks!

Dave Sytsma

Tomos,
Then there is the other side of the story.
In years past, I built a number of spiral wrapped guides. Some simple spiral, some with several transition guides.

But, simply put, every rod came back to me and the client asked for a conventional casting rod. They gave different reasons why they wanted a conventional rod over a spiral wrapped guide. But, to me - it made no difference, but, if the customer wanted something, and in this case they wanted conventionally wrapped guides. By the way, all of the spiral wrapped rods cast about the same distance as the conventional rods. The spiral wrapped rods never had the line rubbing the blank. But, during casting and during reeling on the conventional, there was never any line touching either. Sure, with a conventional rod - on a big fish and a heavy bend in the rod there was a bit of line rubbing, but I never did any reeling under these time. I would just wait until I bent forward for another bite on the fish that I would reel and during those times there was no rubbing of the line on the blank.

Simply put - it is up to the client what he/she wants. From my perspective, that is what they get.

I let them know that the spiral wrap is available if they wish - but it is entirely up to them.

Take care

David,

Let's start by understanding that spine has nothing to do with rod twist. It doesn't cause it and can't prevent it. The only way to eliminate rod torque or twist is by putting the guides on the underside of the rod.

The Simple Spiral goes directly from a 0 degree guide to a 180 guide right at the outset. That's about as quick as you can get (allow really) the line to go where it wants to go in the first place. If it bothers you that the line will rub the side of the blank, you can go in between those two guides and install a "bumper" or rub prevention guide. That's all that particular guide does - keep the line off the rod blank.

The Simple Spiral features the quickest means of allowing the line to get to the bottom of the rod. Other systems use transition guides to do so more slowly and over more distance, but all of them to my knowledge, result in a stable rod that won't attempt to torque or twist under load.

Here's one more thing to think about as you experiment with spiral wrap systems - you do not have to take the line to the underside of the rod - it will simply go there naturally if you allow it to. This is what the Simple Spiral does.
.............



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2024 08:07AM by Tom Kirkman.

roger wilson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tomos,
> Then there is the other side of the story.
> In years past, I built a number of spiral wrapped
> guides. Some simple spiral, some with several
> transition guides.
>
> But, simply put, every rod came back to me and the
> client asked for a conventional casting rod.
> They gave different reasons why they wanted a
> conventional rod over a spiral wrapped guide.
> But, to me - it made no difference, but, if the
> customer wanted something, and in this case they
> wanted conventionally wrapped guides. By the way,
> all of the spiral wrapped rods cast about the
> same distance as the conventional rods. The
> spiral wrapped rods never had the line rubbing the
> blank. But, during casting and during reeling on
> the conventional, there was never any line
> touching either. Sure, with a conventional rod -
> on a big fish and a heavy bend in the rod there
> was a bit of line rubbing, but I never did any
> reeling under these time. I would just wait until
> I bent forward for another bite on the fish that I
> would reel and during those times there was no
> rubbing of the line on the blank.
>
> Simply put - it is up to the client what he/she
> wants. From my perspective, that is what they
> get.
>
> I let them know that the spiral wrap is available
> if they wish - but it is entirely up to them.
>
> Take care

Ohh 100% id give the customer what they ask for. This rod however is for me! haha

I’ve made lot of spiral wrapped casting rods and have never had one returned. In fact, many have had me convert their conventionally wrapped rods to spiral wrapped rods. Once you try one you realize they really do work great.
Norm

Thanks guys,especially you,Tom, for all the insights on the system. I intend to continue using the spiral wrap unless the customer is adamant that it be conventional. One of my customers who was determined that anything I built be conventional has since demanded that everything I build for him is spiral wrapped, and his friends as well. I don't have to preach to them, the rods speak for themselves.