Chemically sharpened vs cutting point hooks

[CrashVector]

Until about 3 months ago, I admit I didn't really pay much attention to the type of point on my hooks.  Sharp was all I cared about, until I started getting a rather large "dull" pile.

 

That's when I realize....the cutting points are infinitely easier to resharpen than the rounded tipped chemically sharpened hooks.

 

Tro-kar and Owner now occupy all of my hook slots.

 

One problem: it takes forever to sharpen them even with a rotary tool...shaping the facets that lead to the point, etc.

 

Anyone use a faster method that still results in a durable and sharp hook point?

[Hammer 4]

Nope. I use a Diamond board that I used to sharpen my wood chisels years ago. And yup it takes forever, but they are very sharp when I'm done. I also use a high power magnifying glass to check my progress. Most of my hooks are also Owner. 

[CrashVector]

1 minute ago, Hammer 4 said:

Nope. I use a Diamond board that I used to sharpen my wood chisels years ago. And yup it takes forever, but they are very sharp when I'm done. I also use a high power magnifying glass to check my progress. Most of my hooks are also Owner. 

 

I clamp em in a fly vice with a magnifying glass on a swingarm, and use the ultra-fine polishing wheel to sharpen em razor sharp.

 

Figure the glass doubles as a shield for tiny metal shards as well lol

 

I guess I'll just have to keep telling myself that it's a part of the process that is worthwhile in the end lol

 

 

 

 

[Hammer 4]

For me and my semi shaky hands, I don't think I'd trust myself using my dremal tool. It's probably much faster doing it your way..

[CrashVector]

Just now, Hammer 4 said:

For me and my semi shaky hands, I don't think I'd trust myself using my dremal tool. It's probably much faster doing it your way..

 

I'm always worried in taking off too much though, even at low speed and using 5000 grit.

 

What diamond board are you using...manual might be the way to go...

[Hammer 4]

The brand is DMT, it  comes in a nice wood case. The actual board is blue plastic with the perforated diamond I'm guessing glued on to it. This board is at least 20 years old, not sure if they even make them any longer. If you have a specialty tool store near you, that would be your best bet on finding one. I've never checked home depot, or Lowes for them, but might worth a look see at those places. Oh, the board itself is 1 2/1"X 7" or there abouts.

[CrashVector]

1 minute ago, Hammer 4 said:

The brand is DMT, it  comes in a nice wood case. The actual board is blue plastic with the perforated diamond I'm guessing glued on to it. This board is at least 20 years old, not sure if they even make them any longer. If you have a specialty tool store near you, that would be your best bet on finding one. I've never checked home depot, or Lowes for them, but might worth a look see at those places. 

 

Awesome!  Thanks for the advice!

 

I can't stand not having sharp hooks, knives, and axes lol

[A-Jay]

Love Owner & Gamakatsu offerings with some VMC and Mustad use here & there.

I have & use Trokar some but their use is limited for me. 

That 'knife edge' makes short work of my soft plastics.

Probably just me but either way,

if I'm Tex-posing anything, Trokar never gets the nod.

A-Jay

[Deleted account]

I can sharpen any bass sized hook with a nail file in less than a minute, usually much less.  I like conical points, but sharp is sharp, and I use some others as well. Excerpt from an impromptu mini seminar at a recent fishing flea market when the subject came up, me:  "I don't care if your hook is chemically sharpened, laser sharpened, sharpened with river rocks by the Keebler elves, or ceremoniously sharpened by virgin geishas atop Mount Fuji, just make sure they are sharp. Check them when new, no matter the manufacturer or price, and check them throughout their use, and sharpen them as necessary. Throwing out hooks because they get dull is like throwing out your car because the tires are bald, don't do that."

[NoShoes]

I just grab a new hook….  I usually lose them before dulling them. 

[Bankc]

6 hours ago, CrashVector said:

 

I'm always worried in taking off too much though, even at low speed and using 5000 grit.

 

What diamond board are you using...manual might be the way to go...

That's why it's taking forever.  5000 grit is a polishing grit, not a sharpening grit.  Use about 400-600 for renewing dull points, and 1000-1500 grit for finishing the point.  I doubt you'd gain much going up to 5000 over 1500.  The type of steel used in hooks isn't a super high quality and cryogenically hardened steel.  If the steel was capable of reaping the benefits of 5000 grit, you'd never bend a hook.  It'll break before it bends at that level of hardness.  You'll need a point with an HRC of around 65-70 to take advantage of that level of polishing grit, and I doubt hooks are much more than an HRC of 45.  

 

I use a diamond file of around 500 grit for my hooks to get them sharp.  Then I follow up with an Arkansas stone of around 1200 grit to finish them.  It usually just takes about six swipes per stone per hook (two per facet), unless they're really bad.  Same with conical hooks, only I rotate the hook as I swipe it.  I have them in my bag and usually do it in under a minute when I first tie the lure on, if it needs it.  

[Catt]

The Mustad Denny Brauer Grip-Pin Max Flippin’ Hook was developed and designed by Elite Series angler, Denny Brauer for fishing plastics in heavy cover. One of the best in the business at flipping and picking apart heavy cover, Denny Brauer knows what qualities a heavy cover hook needs to have. The Grip-Pin Max Flippin’ Hook is a straight-shank, wide-bite hook with a sleek, integrated keeper to keep baits perfectly positioned and securely anchored without allowing them to tear or slip down the shank. The hook eye is also completely sealed for 100% confidence when fishing braid lines.

Like all UltraPoint hooks, the Mustad Denny Brauer Grip-Pin Max Flippin’ Hook features Mustad’s 4.3 Micro Sharp Point Technology for a sleek, slimmer, incredibly sharp point. This unique, two-stage Opti-angle point has less metal removed in the sharpening process than with traditional methods, providing all the benefits of a true needle-point with incredible strength and durability. Chemically sharpened and Nor-Tempered to be up to 30% stronger than conventional hooks, UltraPoint is a very sharp, very strong needle-point that delivers quick, easy penetrations…and longer performance.

[LrgmouthShad]

12 minutes ago, Catt said:

The Mustad Denny Brauer Grip-Pin Max Flippin’ Hook was developed and designed by Elite Series angler, Denny Brauer for fishing plastics in heavy cover. One of the best in the business at flipping and picking apart heavy cover, Denny Brauer knows what qualities a heavy cover hook needs to have. The Grip-Pin Max Flippin’ Hook is a straight-shank, wide-bite hook with a sleek, integrated keeper to keep baits perfectly positioned and securely anchored without allowing them to tear or slip down the shank. The hook eye is also completely sealed for 100% confidence when fishing braid lines.

Like all UltraPoint hooks, the Mustad Denny Brauer Grip-Pin Max Flippin’ Hook features Mustad’s 4.3 Micro Sharp Point Technology for a sleek, slimmer, incredibly sharp point. This unique, two-stage Opti-angle point has less metal removed in the sharpening process than with traditional methods, providing all the benefits of a true needle-point with incredible strength and durability. Chemically sharpened and Nor-Tempered to be up to 30% stronger than conventional hooks, UltraPoint is a very sharp, very strong needle-point that delivers quick, easy penetrations…and longer performance.

When you go talkin about mustad hooks or stanley spinnerbaits, it's like you go starry eyed. ?

 

I do like the grip-pin hooks a lot.

[scaleface]

  The diamond file on a Leatherman multi tool is an excellent hook sharpener .  I sharpen all kind of hooks   on the water in just a few seconds .  

[NoShoes]

44 minutes ago, Catt said:

The Mustad Denny Brauer Grip-Pin Max Flippin’ Hook was developed and designed by Elite Series angler, Denny Brauer for fishing plastics in heavy cover. One of the best in the business at flipping and picking apart heavy cover, Denny Brauer knows what qualities a heavy cover hook needs to have. The Grip-Pin Max Flippin’ Hook is a straight-shank, wide-bite hook with a sleek, integrated keeper to keep baits perfectly positioned and securely anchored without allowing them to tear or slip down the shank. The hook eye is also completely sealed for 100% confidence when fishing braid lines.

Like all UltraPoint hooks, the Mustad Denny Brauer Grip-Pin Max Flippin’ Hook features Mustad’s 4.3 Micro Sharp Point Technology for a sleek, slimmer, incredibly sharp point. This unique, two-stage Opti-angle point has less metal removed in the sharpening process than with traditional methods, providing all the benefits of a true needle-point with incredible strength and durability. Chemically sharpened and Nor-Tempered to be up to 30% stronger than conventional hooks, UltraPoint is a very sharp, very strong needle-point that delivers quick, easy penetrations…and longer performance.

Please tell me this wasn’t off the top of your head

[A-Jay]

7 minutes ago, NoShoes said:

Please tell me this wasn’t off the top of your head

Clearly ~

(or from the TW site)

A-Jay

[Catt]

35 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

When you go talkin about mustad hooks or stanley spinnerbaits, it's like you go starry eyed. ?

 

I do like the grip-pin hooks a lot.

 

Stanley's spinnerbaits & jigs have Mustad hooks specifically designed by Lonnie. Lonnie used to sale worm hooks that were actually Mustad hooks.

 

7 minutes ago, NoShoes said:

Please tell me this wasn’t off the top of your head

 

Mustad explains it better than I could.

 

I still use Mustad's extra long straight shank round bend hooks.

 

I don't sharpen hooks, I replace em!

[cyclops2]

I first crush down the barbs. Then grind off the distorted barb portion. That makes  pretty good fast in.....Fast out hook point.  Like it both ways. The puncture wound is much smaller. Usually no tearing open of the jaw flesh. Should reduce infection & death of C & R in peak heat periods.

[Mat_ski]

Always have one handy on the water. As stated above, resharpening takes less than a minute regardless of how it was sharpened initially. If the hook hangs vertically of my fingernail it is ready to go. Look up old school Lefty Kreh video on hook sharpening, still valid. 

[Bluebasser86]

Hate cutting point hooks. They tear up the plastics and slice big holes in the fish's mouth making it easier for the fish to toss the hook. Conical hooks are my hooks of choice. 

[Catt]

4 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Hate cutting point hooks. They tear up the plastics and slice big holes in the fish's mouth making it easier for the fish to toss the hook. Conical hooks are my hooks of choice. 

 

If it can cut its way in, it can cut its way out!

[NoShoes]

Hard to go wrong with value packs of Gama’s. Dang good hooks and cheap enough to just replace when it’s not like new. 

[CrashVector]

20 minutes ago, NoShoes said:

Hard to go wrong with value packs of Gama’s. Dang good hooks and cheap enough to just replace when it’s not like new. 

 

No doubt it is a great deal, I just don't like throwing away hooks and such just because of they get dull.

[Aaron_H]

I have some of the Trokar TK130s, after I run out of them I don't think I'll buy them again. Like A-Jay said, that point is hell on plastics and I find the fish almost always have a larger wound than with a traditional conical point.

 

For sharpening round points, I've been very happy with the Dr. Slick 4" file.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dr_Slick_Hook_Sharpener_File_4/descpage-DRHF.html

[cyclops2]

Thanks Aaron.