So I just bought some Daiwa Samurai...

[HopelesslyAddicted]

I wanted to try out what a lot of people are calling the best braid ever. So I shopped around for awhile and I found a 300yd spool of 18lb for 39 bucks. Judging by the market at this time that's a pretty good deal.

So I got 18lb because I intend to use it on my spinning gear with a leader. What I didn't realize was just how thin this stuff really is! Don't get me wrong its the smoothest, quietest, best handling braid I have ever used, but I am a little worried about its breaking strength.

I have some 20lb Suffix (.009" diameter), some 15 lb Power Pro (.007"), some 10lb Power Pro (.006"). The Daiwa Samurai is supposed to be .008" in diameter. That would put it in between 20lb Suffix and 15lb Power Pro. The only problem is it actually has the smallest diameter out of all of these braids, even smaller than 10lb power pro. :-?

So what gives? I realize this gross mislabeling has been going on in the line industry for a long time but the actual measurements on the box are wrong? I wonder if anyone else has noticed this?

From what I can gather Daiwa hasn't made any breakthroughs in strength to diameter ratios, they are basically just selling thinner line and calling it a higher pound test. And breaking strength is LARGELY a function of diameter. Anyone else have any experience with the smaller # tests of Daiwa Samurai?

[SJB1226]

its very thin...its thinner then any other braid ive seen.. i love it its simply amazing and the best braid on the market and you got a stellar deal! i dont believe its a gross over rating, the stuff is very close to its labeled breaking test. the only thing I will tell you is because its thinner its more prone to abrasion then other braids on same pound test.. but in straight pull tests it hold its own pound test for pound test versus other braids. its just such a well made braid and VERY tightly woven and it makes it thinner I bet theres probably close to the same amount of material in the same pound test daiwa braid as other braids but being its woven so tightly it makes it thinner, I have weighed 100 yards of  Daiwa braid and Sufix of the same pound test and the weight was very close even tho the daiwa braid is FAR thinner I used 65# for the test. thats why I say overall breaking test will be close to what the stranded for braid ratings is. ide say your 18# will break in a straight pull test at about 16# and the Daiwa braids shock strength is higher then any other braid ive used and that is a big plus! rocks wreck havoc on Daiwa braid tho because its so thin but a FC leader fixes that. IMHO its the best braid on the market hands down and it is the ONLY braid I fish, sure it cost a lot but I fish a lot of 40 dollar a spool FC lines so when you look at it like that its priced well. when you want the best buy Daiwa's braid it last a long time and will make you smile every time you fish it.

Another thing about it.. using braided line will increase sensitivity 10 fold over mono and 5 fold over FC but when you fish Daiwa braid it has SO much more sensitivity then other braids its crazy.. its so much more sensitive then other braids its insane on a good rod Daiwa braid will allow you to feel the line its self shuttering while coming through the water when you reel up the slack when hoping jigs and worms. dont worry about break rating 18# will let you horse fish in with ease just remember rocks tear it up faster then they do other braids, use a leader around rocks lol.   

[HopelesslyAddicted]

Well thanks for the reply SJB, I don't think a  lot of people have experience with this braid in the lower # test.  I do love it but if I were to buy it again I would probably get 30lb for my spinning gear.  I can break this 18 lb test with my hands.  And yet I can't break 10lb power pro.

  Not to mention the fact that the diameter on the package is completely over-exaggerated.  Luckily I'm using spinning gear where it doesn't matter as much.  I hope I don't have any break offs while fishing, because that is the true test.  As long as that doesn't happen I won't mind being mislead like this too much.  :

[Gone_Phishin]

How badly does this stuff dig into bc reels?  I think that is the only reason I haven't splurged yet.

[dodgeguy]

all braids break at a much higher pound test than rated.that's how they can get the line as thin as they do.there lb test rating is actually closere to the truth than the others.

[Hammer 4]

I use the 55lb samuri..which is about the same diameter as 10-12lb mono..only had a couple digging issues in the last 6 months..With the samuri, I see no reason to go much lower than 30lb test..

[steezy]

It IS "its the smoothest, quietest, best handling braid", especially on a spinning reel.

[HopelesslyAddicted]

Yea guys it is phenomenal stuff, and I love it but I would get 30lb for spinning gear from now on. The diameters on the box are COMPLETELY wrong. But that's ok now that I know I'll just get 30lb.

It doesn't dig at all in my experience, and if you want to use it for your baitcaster definitely get 40+ nothing lower. Best braid ever. Its just that the diameter on the box is insanely misrepresented, so plan accordingly.

As for actual breaking strength, it definitely is MUCH closer to the truth than any other braid. I was just expecting it to overtest like every other braid I have ever bought. Silly me. :

[Pantera61]

I couldn't use it.  I found the 30lb test line wispy and not confidence inspiring.  I also found it had a tendency to tip wrap.