I see they are no longer among the sponsor list...are they gone?

 

I was kind of looking forward to their participation here, had some questions etc. 

I noticed the same. Is there anything I can help you with?

They are not gone.  They are sponsoring every other month this year.  So....back on again in March.

I see. Every other month it is then. 

 

Yeah Mike you can help , I was wondering if they had anything equivalent to Fuji Alconites?

Hey Jeff I found this scale that helps reference guides and their 'hardness.'  I've seen some variance in the numbers below, +/- 100 or so, but these seem to be in the ball park.

  

VICKER'S HARDNESS SCALE: 

Stainless Steel (SS): 200 
Chrome: 800-1000 
Aluminum Oxide: 1200-1400 
Alconite: 1700 
Zirconia: 1400-1800 
NANOLITE: 1800 
SiC: 2200-2400 

 

Batson has guides that use zirconia which are what I used on my 2 builds using their blanks.  I used alconites on everything before then.  So far I'm pleased with the Alps/Forecast guides, but I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either Alconite or Zirconia.

Yes,

 

The zirconia are probably pretty close. Hardness is the least of my worries though. I look for the combination of hardness and low weight. That's what I like about Alconite compared to lower Fuji guides. I'd have to weight a set of each of the Alps and Fuji to know how they compare exactly. My gut tells me it would be splitting hairs.

I see they are no longer among the sponsor list...are they gone?

 

I was kind of looking forward to their participation here, had some questions etc. 

Hi Jeff, We are not gone.. We are still here. So ask any question you want

 

I noticed the same. Is there anything I can help you with?

HAHA.. sorry.. Just per our contract

 

They are not gone.  They are sponsoring every other month this year.  So....back on again in March.

Thank you Glenn for clearing this. 

 

I see. Every other month it is then. 

 

Yeah Mike you can help , I was wondering if they had anything equivalent to Fuji Alconites?

We can still help in any way.. Just ask away

 

Hey Jeff I found this scale that helps reference guides and their 'hardness.'  I've seen some variance in the numbers below, +/- 100 or so, but these seem to be in the ball park.

  

VICKER'S HARDNESS SCALE: 

Stainless Steel (SS): 200 

Chrome: 800-1000 

Aluminum Oxide: 1200-1400 

Alconite: 1700 

Zirconia: 1400-1800 

NANOLITE: 1800 

SiC: 2200-2400 

 

Batson has guides that use zirconia which are what I used on my 2 builds using their blanks.  I used alconites on everything before then.  So far I'm pleased with the Alps/Forecast guides, but I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either Alconite or Zirconia.

Actually they are a PVD Zirconium and Zirconium. We sell between 2-3 million guides a year and have .0000001% We have SiC but since the PVD zirconium and the Zirconium guides have been great on performance, durability, price, etc.. our customers tend to stick with these. Even Kevin Van Dam uses ALPS Zirconium guides and has never had ring failure or grooving.  

 

Yes,

 

The zirconia are probably pretty close. Hardness is the least of my worries though. I look for the combination of hardness and low weight. That's what I like about Alconite compared to lower Fuji guides. I'd have to weight a set of each of the Alps and Fuji to know how they compare exactly. My gut tells me it would be splitting hairs.

You are correct.. Splitting hairs .. Then would you even pay the extra money when it is so close, you can't tell??

Ahhh....some good starter info.  Thank you all!  I will probably try the ALPS Zirconium guides on the next custom I get built.   

Ahhh....some good starter info.  Thank you all!  I will probably try the ALPS Zirconium guides on the next custom I get built.   

Yup! Also.. I just weighed the ALPS MGM which is called the " Mini Guide Method " which chokes the line down very fast with 9 guides and a tip top weighs: 4.1 grams!! Want 11 guides? 4.6 grams! Now that is super light weight!

Does Alps have a High Frame or Match type guide? 

ALPS has something close.. Ill take a pic side by side if I can find out set!