Been using braid from the outset, even field tested some of the very first Dynon 3 strand flat braid for the importer. Increasing the number of strands appears to have brought big incremental steps forward in performance of the braids. As stated by others, 4 strand is quite rough when compared to a good 8 strand; however, been recently testing a new 6 strand that has a different weave pattern to the normal 8 strand, and it is thinner than a comparable 8 strand (strength) from the same weaver and appears to perform better over the test period. This 6 strand has also proved to be quieter when passing through the guides on the cast.
There is a school of thought that for different applications, different weave patterns and constituents can significantly affect performance for any given application. Shorter casting distances required in say US Bass fishing and most lure fishing require a different braid construction to say maximum distance for surf casting, or other applications like deep water jigging. We all experienced the same sorts of variations with nylon lines and different applications, why do we expect it to be any different for braids? However, the problem for the big manufacturers is that they would rather just produce one braid to fit all applications, apart from the obvious colour marker braids aimed at the jigging market, the biggest single global market is for US Bass fishing.
Braid coverings is another issue, as the core material UHMWPE is pretty inert to taking coatings, and they effectively have to be a self setting enclosure, rather than bonding to the actual core material. We have had some solid experience of braids that haven't had any coating, sure they are pretty mundane being just plain white, but they are infinitely more flexible and softer, and in surf casting have a noticeable effect on distances attained.
