Has anyone messed with the OEM branded guides? They look like Fuji replicas but come in a black coating which I want.

Which OEM guides are you talking about?

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They are sold on MudHole. I bought a set and will report back, they look like exact replicas of the Fuji KLH and KT guide series for a KR Concept rod. Will weigh them out and see what the deal is. They were on sale for 50% off.

Those used to be called CRB Angled LZR.

I bought some two years ago. I just looked up my Mudhole account order page and the item name now says OEM.

They perform well, no issues so far. I got the gunsmoke frames and they look just like the Fuji BC grey frames.

I'll stick with the real deal, Fuji.

Have used Am Tack, Fuji, Pac Bay, Kigan, Batson Forecast and Alps, Hopkins & Holloway guides for a longtime for some now, they all worked and worked well, not one of my issues while rod building.

It's not the brand, it's the geometry, finish, consistency of quality, and Fuji always delivers. Yes, others will work, most often, but maybe not always.

Wade Hirai Wrote:
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> Those used to be called CRB Angled LZR.
>
> I bought some two years ago. I just looked up my
> Mudhole account order page and the item name now
> says OEM.
>
> They perform well, no issues so far. I got the
> gunsmoke frames and they look just like the Fuji
> BC grey frames.

They work Fine! I have used many sets No issues. The only thing you will miss is you won't have Michael Danek's Bragging right's. Whatever that's worth???

If you are looking for excellent quality, finish and durability, I have had less failures with Alps. When the micros came to the US, Fuji was nowhere near the nicest as far as I was concerned.

I have had no failures with Fuji or Alps, and I don't see a size 4 mini guide in titanium in Alps product line. I like the big foot KB's for first two running guides, then KT's. Hard to imagine anything lighter than a titanium KT. I also like the titanium Arowana tiptop and don't see a similar product elsewhere. ??

I respectfully submit that I don't see the history of micro introduction being relevant to today's products.

Jay, if you want to explain that comment, my email is open. By the way, rights, plural, not possessive, is spelled without an apostrophe.

In my experience, black guides chip and corrode, especially the cheaper ones. There might be a reason there are less and less being available.

Black guides are my go to color because they have done so well for me over 40+ years, saltwater rods that were out all day than stored without rinsing in the fan deck or stern compartment only to do it again the next day, guides were Pac Bay or Fuji. The black finish and I imagine others leave a lot of bad waste behind during the process so companies are looking for safer alternatives.

Always wondered what OEM was actually telling me.