Mustad Planning to Shaft Us, Replacing the Standard Hooks

[Dr. Fish]

I have been utilizing Mustad hooks for approximately 20 years, and am going to place an order for some of their Signature Hooks. However, their Classic 9671 Hook is 2X long with the Signature R73 equivalent being 3X long. Also, their Classic 9672 is 3X long with the Signature R74 being 4X. If the 9672 wasn't a true 3X then why would they replace it with a hook that is supposed to be a proportional 4X instead of a more accurate 3X? Is it recommended to dismiss attempting to reference the new to the old versions? Thanks.

Ron

Let me try and explain again. There was no set rules in the standard "Classic" fly hooks meaning there were no specifications saying a 2X strong hook was XYZ in diameter in a size 12. It was a bit subjective. In the Signature range, because everything is proportional, all hooks are based on a set of master specifications for the entire range. So let me use some fictitious numbers in an attempt to explain.

Let's say a Classic hook in size 12 had a wire diameter of 0.65mm and was listed as a 2X strong. Well in the new Signature series that 0.65mm wire diameter for a size 12 is classified as a 3X strong. REMEMBER, these are arbitrary numbers for example sake only. So in the original Classic series it was called 2X strong but in the new range it falls under a 3X strong classification. Same goes for lengths. We didn't take a hook that was 2X strong and say, "Hey, let's bump up the wire diameter and then call it a 3X strong." That is just how the measurements converted over from the Classics.

Hope this helps to answer your question.