I started using Mustads in the early or mid 70's. I still have thousands of them and I still use them. I have found that they are generally among the more modestly priced hooks. I have not seen the brittleness problem on any Mustads that I have bought since the late 70's or early 80's. If anything I think they are less hard and brittle than some other brands. I AM tired of having to sharpen the hooks fresh out of the box. That tedium is moving me away from Mustads and to TMC hooks. If Mustad hooks were sharper and I could get the barbless hooks I want from them, I would be back in the fold.
Regards,
Ed, who feels as reheated as this thread.