Rod Building Single foot guides

[Bambooflyguy]

I’m bored sitting by the fire......wishin I was fishin!

 

[Wetswinger]

Snake guides need to be able to flex a little. As you cast, or more importantly, bend the rod under load (a big fish) the area compresses or expands in an arc. The ends of the guides are held ridged so it is the guide itself that must absorb the pressures. This causes a pressure point in the tubular rod that must be absorbed. The 2 rods I've broke under stress both failed at a guide. Single foot guides are only held at one end...

 

[Jim Allen]

Sorry, for a silly question. Why would the "stiffness" be different? What is stiffness anyway?

The stiffer the rod results in less flex. Some feel this makes a "faster" action. Each wrap adds mass to that specific area of the rod blank and thus alters the dynamics of how the blank responds in each of those specific areas. Rod builders will spine a blank and then place guides in specific locations all in an effort to maximize the rods performance. This is why a quality blank in the hands of a true craftsman is worth the extra $$$.