Has anyone considered using the new Air Carbon Mesh introduced by NFC in place of traditional thread?

Probably will at some point just to see how it looks and whether it offers any advantages for certain builds.

Thread will still be my choice, this stuff doesn't stretch, so how will it hold the guide in place? It may work for fishing tension and angles, but how will it do in a snaggy rod locker or when on deck with all the things that happen? It also has a lifespan before it is no longer viable, much, much shorter than stretchy thread that holds the guide firmly to the blank.

I expect its highest value will be in the volume rod business.  It's supposed to allow much faster wrappping.  I've seen a video by NFC that pulled about 24 pounds on a guide, if I remember correctly, so it might be stronger than first thought.  I don't think it will replace thread much for custom builders since we have so many colors available, equipment to handle thread, and many have very big inventories.  

8 hours ago, spoonplugger1 said:

Thread will still be my choice

Me as well. I'll give the new wrap product time in the market before I try it. Rods take time to build and repair for that matter.

18 hours ago, spoonplugger1 said:

Thread will still be my choice, this stuff doesn't stretch, so how will it hold the guide in place?

...

Spencer...I was under the impression that it does stretch a bit.

But in reading some of the old posts on RBO...it seems to be in question.
I cant see where Aleks ever addresses the issue.

 

On the Rodbuilding.org forum, a member posted this: "Daiwa has started using a carbon wrap on guides with their Steez AGS Real Control line. But that's on a $1299 price tag rod..."

 

Food for thought?

20 hours ago, Chris Catignani said:

his stuff doesn't stretch, so how will it hold the guide in place?

...

The combination of the mesh and epoxy provides good strength, probably adequate.  Sort of like plywood. Or composites used in structural applications.  If it is tightly wound, and doesn't stretch, the guide is held securely.  I don't see holding the guide adequately as being a limitation on this application. 

Mick...how did you manage to make this quote mine? That was Spencer.

 

1 hour ago, Chris Catignani said:

Mick...how did you manage to make this quote mine? That was Spencer

I highlighted it from your comment.  After you had highlighted it from Spencer.  Didn't mean to attribute it to you.  Noticed after posting.  

I’m not sure what I make of this yet. My initial reaction is they’re solving a problem that doesn’t exist. I put the video of the scale pulling the guide in the same category as spool spinning videos. Kinda cool visual but little or no practical relevance in a real life scenario. 

Eliminates coating the thread wrap, lighter weight and more reliable.

Tom

Is this different than the carbon tape that's been around for a while?

13 hours ago, WRB-2.0 said:

Eliminates coating the thread wrap, lighter weight and more reliable.

Tom

So it doesn't need to be coated with epoxy?

What type of adhesive holds it to the blank?

12 hours ago, txchaser said:

Is this different than the carbon tape that's been around for a while?

I don't know if it's a different material or just a different size for rod building.  Amazon has had carbon mesh available for a long time, as you state.

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=carbon+mesh+tape+fishing+rod+guide+process+video&mid=617667CC745F5153CC13617667CC745F5153CC13&mmscn=stvo&FORM=VIRE

 

6 hours ago, MikeK said:

So it doesn't need to be coated with epoxy?

What type of adhesive holds it to the blank?

Oh...it needs to be finished.

 

17 hours ago, txchaser said:

Is this different than the carbon tape that's been around for a while?

Yes different.

NFC's product is a mesh tape.
Other products I've seen were like a prebeg tape...One I think is called C-Tape?
 

Thanks Chris!

On 11/18/2025 at 3:48 PM, Chris Catignani said:

Yes different.

NFC's product is a mesh tape.
Other products I've seen were like a prebeg tape...One I think is called C-Tape?
 

Yeah c-tape is the one I was thinking of. 

 

If you really want to know and use Stryker blanks, a $80 order at their already discounted price by 30%, gets you a free sheet of the stuff.

So, if the guide is damaged and has to be replaced, is this tape product removable like thread?

31 minutes ago, bloom said:

So, if the guide is damaged and has to be replaced, is this tape product removable like thread?

Yes and no. It's more like thread without color preserver.
You wouldn't be able to find an end and then unwrap it.
You would need to cut the tape and finish off the guide foot and peel it off.

 

 

I was going to get a new blank anyway so I got a sheet coming.  We shall see...

Okuma and TFO both have carbon wrapped guides on some rod models, never seen one in person though. I believe what they use is a bit different than this mesh, what TFO uses is definitely different, not sure about Okuma. 

 

It seems like it would be a bit more tricky to get this mesh to look good, compared to nicely wrapped thread... 

You never see them do a whole rod or even two guides with the stuff, can you move the guide for alignment after you have laid it down? Also, you have to CP it to activate the adhesive I hear.

On 11/25/2025 at 5:50 PM, webertime said:

I was going to get a new blank anyway so I got a sheet coming.  We shall see...

I've  got 2 sheets in the mail as well.

Going to test it out on a couple of hook keepers first. I expect it to be decent.

A-Jay