How to test a Hooks Sharpness

[steph mckenzie]

How do you check to see if a hook is sharp or not ?
Also, how often do you check them ?

Thanks in Advance
Steph.

 

[itsfishingnotcatching]

If it goes thru the maggot without spilling its insides all over my thumb and forefinger, it should be sharp enough. The alternative is to try it in my hand (my usual method:wh)

 

[Jeff Woodhouse]

The alternative is to try it in my hand (my usual method)

I concur with that, usually whilst I'm tying the damned thing on!

Danny Fairbrass reckons to pull the point against a fingernail and if it sets and tries to go in (indicated by the scream 'Oh kin' 'ell') then it's sharp enough.

 

[Derek Gibson]

Yes, the thumb nail test is one used by many pike anglers to check sharpness of hooks. Crucial when you consider the design of a pike's mouth, and that very fact alone, nessesitates more regular sharpening, than with the soft mouthed species.

 

[Dicky (Angling Trust PAC)]

Yes, the thumb nail test is one used by many pike anglers to check sharpness of hooks. Crucial when you consider the design of a pike's mouth, and that very fact alone, nessesitates more regular sharpening, than with the soft mouthed species.

Same as Derek for me...

Hooks can get blunt quickly on rocks and gravel so I check mine before each cast, and reject any hook that doesn't 'bite' on the nail instantly...

 

[Philip]

When after big fish I will check a hook point every cast.

As I am lucky to have good eyesight, to check the point, I usually hold it to the sky so its in silhouette and look at the point closely. I can usually see even a tiny offset. This also can be done at night against the moon or any sort of background light. In addition I also flick my finger tip over the point to feel for imperfections.

If your carrying binoculars you can also use those in “reverse” to look at the hook point in minute detail.

I will change the hook after the session regardless of if it still looks ok.

When after small stuff for fun I am less fussy and I”ll usually check the point if I bump a fish off.

 

[agamemnon]

i do the nail test if the hook grips with no pressure on my nail its fine

 

[Lord Paul of Sheffield]

It's the nail test for me as well

 

[steph mckenzie]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far,, the Nail test seems to be the way to go unless the wife agrees to me jabbing the hook in to her leg to see if she yelps.

 

[chavender]

i must be doing it wrong i stick in in my thumb (not the nail) ,if it bleeds then its very sharp ,if i wince its sharp enough ,if it bounces off its blunt .

how often do i test ,everytime i think i've pulled out a fish or ones got off ,or i'm on gravel bottom or i'm rebaiting .

 

[S-Kippy]

Interesting....does anybody use a hook sharpener/stone and if so which one ?

 

[Derek Gibson]

Yes I use a small piece of carborundum stone, other's use small fine files. I find my little stone (4inch x 1inch) has served me well for many years, so I haven't felt the need to change.

 

[S-Kippy]

So....there's no point in shelling out on anything more elaborate then,Derek ? I was looking at those Jag things but wondering if it was truly worth it.

 

[Derek Gibson]

So....there's no point in shelling out on anything more elaborate then,Derek ? I was looking at those Jag things but wondering if it was truly worth it.

A lot will depend on the type of hook you employ, ie- heavy gauge wire, or the more modern fine wire types. I only use ''Eagle Claw'' curved point trebles for all my lure fishing, but my little stone gives me the sharpness I need, even on hooks up to 3.O in size. And as I said in an earlier post, a pike's mouth is a real test for all but the sharpest of hooks.

These stones, at around £2.50 each represent terrific value, and I consider them worth every penny. That's my honest opinion.

Hpoe this helps.

 

[Philip]

I was advised by the Tackle box in Kent many years back to buy a ceramic one and mines still going strong something like 20years later.

However it has to be said I am not a big fan of hook sharpeners and generally tie on a new hook but I do have one for if I am on a short fun session and want to quickly touch up the hook point.

The important thing with a sharpener is to not overdo it. Its really just for tiny touch ups to the point. If you start filing away anything more you will impact the strength of the hook. Another important point - a sharpener will remove any protective coating your hook may have been treated with and after that corrosion will happen quicker.

For that reason I would not use a hook sharpened hook for anything other than the session I am on. After that tie on a new one.

 

[Derek Gibson]

Phillip,

All my sessions are ''fun ones'' .

Seriously though, If predator anglers were to discard every hook after every session, costs would treble, no pun intended .

 

[Philip]

Phillip,

All my sessions are ''fun ones'' .

Seriously though, If predator anglers were to discard every hook after every session, costs would treble, no pun intended .

Good point Derek, all session should be fun, but to honest its not always like that, well for me anyway.

If I am really after a specific target then sometimes part of the « fun » is the hardship of achieving the goal as you know what you have done was not easy....I know that sort of fishing won't be everyone's cup of tea but there you go.

Also yes, I agree with you on Trebles...they are one occasion when I do reuse hooks because as you say it would cost you a small fortune to replace them every time. Actually with some of the prices I see single hooks going for nowadays I would not blame anyone for thinking twice before they throw away a hook. Its actually one of the reasons I still use super specialists as they are a good hook and cheap and if I suspect a problem I dont think twice about changing them.

Shame I can't seem to find the plastic boxes of them anymore..I used to be able to get 25 for about £1.50...now all I seem to find are the small packets of 10.

...Anyone ?

 

[S-Kippy]

Well I think I shall splash out a few quid and start carrying a stone. TBH I am not in the habit of checking my hooks but t'other day I was chatting to a bloke who was showing me his [zander] traces and I was hugely impressed with the hook's he was using...initially the pattern but what really caught my attention was that they were razor sharp too. Next time I rebaited I checked my hooks and was appalled at how blunt they were by comparison...not blunt as such but blunt compared to his.

For the sake of a couple of quid I shall stick one in the box I think and I shall certainly be checking my hooks regularly from now on.

 

[terry m]

Hook sharpness is of course important in all fields of angling, but in carp angling where you are relying on fish to prick themselves and bolt - thus self hooking - it is vital.

This summer I invested in a super magnifying eye glass to use whilst carp fishing, I was surprised by the amount of hooks the 'felt' sharp but under the glass the tip was clearly damaged, either blunted or the sharp point turned over slightly.

I am lessparticular in forms of fishing where a strike is required - e.g. deadbaiting for pike, whilst a blatantly blunt hook would not help, the strike itself will compensate for any minor imperfections.

Buy a specialist magnifier and check your hook points, you may be very surprised!

 

[watatoad]

I use the thumb nail test and watch how the bait goes on the hook. I also always carry a hard white Arkansas stone for touching hooks up. I have had several tackle manufacturers sharpening stones but have found them all to be far too coarse to be any good. My son carries a diamond sharpening stone/stick but having used his I still prefer the sharpness of the white Arkansas stone.