The Tip Top is probably the single most important guide on a fishing rod. It takes the most abuse...lures, swivels sinkers…you name it, all bang into the tip top. Fishing lines of all types spend more time in contact with the tip top than any other guide on the rod. When you cast, retrieve or fight a fish, the line is always touching the tip top.
Wise rod builders realize this and make sure they use the highest quality tip top they can afford. Skimp on your tip top and you are asking for trouble. At Batson Enterprises we carry over 1300 different tip tops to choose from. If you cannot find a tip top that you need from us…it simply does not exist.
ALPS TIP TOP KEY FEATURES:
• All ALPS tip top frames feature S-6 (SS316 stainless steel) substrate material. Our proprietary 316 Stainless Steel offers enhanced resistance to corrosion.
• All ALPS tip tops feature the exclusive RRD frame/ring design for superb ring to frame bonding. (see diagram A below)
• All ALPS tip top frames go through a proprietary tumbling process that prepares the frame to allow for flawless plating resulting in not only a superb cosmetic finish, but also a finish that is durable and that will last for years.
• Our S-6 (SS316 Stainless Steel) substrate has been tested and passed the ASTM-B117 salt spray test for over 50 straight days (another way to think of that is 50, 24 hr days equals 150, 8 hour fishing trips) without any trace of corrosion…One of our top competitor's guides started to have corrosion issues at 300 hours of exposure…interesting to say the least.
• ALPS uses proprietary epoxy glues to bond the ceramic ring to the frame and has established testing methods and specific standards for each tip top ceramic ring to frame bond. (We can’t say much more, it’s a secret!) Each tip top must meet the established standard or it is not shipped. The bottom line is they do everything possible to make sure the ceramic ring will stay put in the tip top during just about any possible fishing situation or scenario.
• ALPS uses only the finest ceramic rings available and they are carefully ground on the outside edge to assure perfect concentricity between the tip top frame and the ceramic ring. This enhances the ring to frame bond. The inside area of the guide rings (the area the fishing line contacts) are polished to a super smooth finish to reduce friction and line wear. More examples of ALPS taking every possible step to provide the finest tip tops available.
Forecast rod building components set an industry standard for high performance and superb quality at reasonable prices. The Forecast brand was the brain child of Batson Enterprises company founder Robert “Bob” Batson. Bob wanted to provide the industry with a series of components that were affordable, yet performed way beyond their price point. Forecast tip tops are no exception, and offer many features not found on any other tip top – regardless of price.
All Forecast Tip Top Frames Feature SS304 Stainless Steel
All Forecast tip top ceramic rings are ground on the outside edge to be perfectly concentric. This unique manufacturing process enhances the fit of the ceramic ring to the tip top frame which in turn allows for better gluing of the ring to the tip top frame. Bottom line is – the ring stays put in the frame when you are fishing.
• All plated versions and polished versions of SS304 stainless steel have passed the ASTM-B117 salt spray test for over 20 straight days (480 hours) (or 60 8 hour fishing trips) without any hint of corrosion. Many competitive brands start having corrosion trouble at 300 hours…funny thing is they cost more than Forecast but do not perform as well…interesting to say the least.
• All Forecast tip top frames go through a proprietary tumbling process that prepares the frame to allow for flawless plating resulting in not only a superb cosmetic finish, but also a finish that is durable and that will last for years.
• All Forecast tip top frames are hand soldered for maximum strength
• Many models feature flanged rings (even in smaller sizes… a Forecast Exclusive) that help prevent rings from popping out of the frame.
• All Forecast Tip Tops are inspected to be sure they are the right size and have smooth plating and solder joints.
Tip Tops Introduction
