I forgot what these style rod guides are called. They are on a Daiwa Magforce spinning rod that is a few years old. The reel seat says Fuji so usually I assume the guides on a rod are also Fuji when I see that although maybe not a safe assumption?

 

So what’s the deal with these? Garbage? The rod was probably mid-range quality at best when I bought it and never saw much use. But it actually handles  pretty good in the new kayak so will finally get some serious use this season.

 

  They look like the double-swaged stainless guides. You see them on cheap rods. I never used to like them because of the noise and somewhat shorter casting distance. But I've never had problems with them when I use braid with a leader knot, so I've learned to appreciate them for that reason. They're also lightweight, if that's important to you.   jj

They aren't "garbage" but cheap guides and cheap rods go hand in hand. Something the megaforce series of rods and reels are. 

Those are PacBay Minima guides. They’re good budget guides. Not junk at all. I use them occasionally mostly on light power rods and/or for weights savings on finesse rods. 

So what's the knock against them? What makes them cheap or otherwise not preferred? Is it that the metal is more susceptible to knicks, and thus could damage line?

There really isn't a legitimate "knock" against them.  They do not have a ceramic ring, so they would tend to groove more than ceramic ring guides, but guides don't groove much anyway.  It's the tiptop that grooves much earlier than the guides.  They have the advantage of being, as stated above, lighter than ceramic ring guides, therefore resulting in a more sensitive rod, which is what you are looking for for finesse.   If you want the lightest rod available, then you use these guides.  Although the difference is quite small.

 

Rod design and building has compromises, like almost everything else.  Cost, durability, weight, corrosion, etc.  Most knowledgeable builders know that most premium guides are overkill in some attributes, but if someone wants the best in those attributes, that's what you go with.  Despite the cost disadvantage.

 

It is not a safe assumption that a manufacturer will use the same brand guides as reel seat.

I've had several rods with stainless steel guides... I've changed the tip guide to a ceramic on those that I continue to use.

 

oe

This Daiwa rod does have a ceramic one at the tip

... then FISH ON!