Thanks very much for all the ideas; seeked advice at the right place.

Closest thing at hand was a hook sharpener, and that got it pretty well. One day when I've nothing better to do I'll shine up the tip and the nicks probably with dry/wet 600-grit and pumice from my kids' pine car days (we obliterated the competition, partly due to the highly polished axles). And put a tip back on the old one.

I do like the handle a lot and am not sorry for the huge $ outlay .