I just received my first “Corrosion Control “(CC…) Fuji guides. The finish of the frames is almost exactly what I have been looking for. While a polished frame may be acceptable for the salt, I am a firm believer a reflection of the sun from a polished guide can spook mountain trout. Additionally, I personally regard the look of polished guides to be flashily cheap and black (powder-coated) guides end up chipping and become rather dindgy looking after awhile. After spending quite a bit more for the TKWAGs (just as they were being discontinued) for my 30# Black Diamond Hybrid salt rod, I was disappointed to discover they were polished as well. I am soooooooo relieved to not have to low-pressure-blast my polished guides with optic powder, including all the prep required to insulate the inserts while blasting.
Thank you to Fuji and any evolvement Jim Ising may have had listening to us and affording the rod building world with the next-best-thing to a TKWAG or TKLHAG. Thanks to Jim regardless. I am very loyal to Fuji products in general and rarely use anything else, but the loss of Alconite inserts in Ti frames was very disappointing and I continue to feel the same way. However, at least a noble attempt was made to afford an appropriate, yet compromising, replacement. You can certainly count me in!
~ >*))))))><{

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Have used both the CC and BC corrosion control KR guides on several casting and spinning rods and they do look good. The CC guides have a matte silver finish, and the BC guides are a matte smoke grey which I like a lot. If they are as corrosion resistant as advertised, then there is nothing else on the market better except titanium. The best thing is they are the same price as the standard stainless KR guides, making them a really great buy. I have not tried the fazlite insert corrosion control KR guides, but they are even less expensive with the same corrosion resistance. It sounds like the fazlite ring is like a souped up hardloy ring.
Norm

It is certainly comforting to learn such a respected, veteran rod crafter agrees and supports my new go-to guides. Are the “BC…” guides simply a (powder) coating or is the actual metal treated to produce the smoke grey color? As for the Fazlite, I see no point compromising on the quality of Alconite while at the same time avoid the brittleness of SiC or SiN and rarely can justify the cost of Torzite. In my humble opinion, anyone would be hard pressed to find a better, all-around guide material than Alconite when considering all aspects between cost, performance and bragging rights.
While most of my comments regarding Fuji’s new “CC…” guides have been directed more to the cosmetic aspect, I am ultimately more concerned with overall performance, corrosion resistance included. Guides manufactured from cheaper alloys of stainless steel than 316 still perform quite well in most fresh water fishing environments. However, a marine environment is so brutally harsh, I think even plastic will rust! Admittedly, I have no experience with passivated metals. Time will tell but I maintain confidence in any Fuji product, the new CC and BC guides included.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.