In any sharpening process there is a thin wire or residue of metal left on the edge, the only way that I can see chemical sharpening working is if they use an acid to eat this wire away, this would do the same thing as using a strop on a wood carving knife. Just a final finish to make it as sharp as possible.

Forging is the use of force IE blows to push metal into shape to make the hooks. Forging stretches and tightens the metal by compressing the fibers or molecular structure. Some think it makes items stronger. I cant see that in an item as thin as a hook that it would make a lot of difference.

after the forging they still have to be sharpened in some manner.

Eric