Just out of interest, I've taken some photos of old guides.
As you well know they are the el cheapo guides.
The larger ones are from my old ugly stick, which was my all purpose trolling rod, bottom bashing boat rod. I used it with an old star drag alvey, with line that was much too heavy for the rod.
I know the line is 24kg, and I think the rod is around an 8kg.
Those guides were on there for a minimum 7 years, the smaller ones near the tip cop most of the punishment, so I was always replacing.
I save a set of guides like these as emergency spares.
Since we are having the debate on underbinding and rust, I thought these pics may be of interest.
You will also see a couple of much smaller single foot guides.
These have just come off the rod I'm rebuilding, I shortened the rod a little and used the same guides again, with the exception of a new tip and the next guide back.
The guides on the this rod have been there for only about three years.
In both cases I've underbound, and as you can see not files back the feet. Now days I do.
Also both rods are used in salt water. It is very hard to see detail, but there is minimal or no rust on the feet of these guides. You can however, see rust on the exposed parts of the guides. I havn't cleaned up any of the guides.
I'm not trying to make a point, just thought it interesting.
BTW the latter is graphite.