Is the bronze-like coating found on hooks really a form of lacquer that would dull the point? I’ve done some “fingernail” tests on many brands and IMHO just touching-up the hook with a ceramic stone improves it’s sharpness.
Ray,
From my youth on I always read that to test the sharpness of a hook, run it across your thumbnail. The books go on to say, if it(the hook point) gets a grip, it’s sharp. I’m here to tell anyone, when it comes to trout hooks, that’s just a load of bs.
‘Sharp’ is relative. People say that Mustad hooks (older models), like the 94840, 94833, 94831, 3906, etc. are not sharp. First of all, a trouts mouth is not like the surface of your fingernail. Second, if a hook will penetrate your skin, and these hooks certainly will, it will penetrate the trouts gum. If it’s a question of ‘penetratability’ (is there such a word?), then perhaps of more concern would be the barb. It’s certainly more difficult for a barbed hook to penetrate than it is for a hook without one.
Now I’m not talking about the atypical malformed or defective hook that you’ll find every so often, regardless of the manufacturer. Hooks, again I’m talking about trout hooks, are all sharp enough. Is one brand or model ‘sharper’ than another? Probably but it doesn’t matter. At 10 feet which is deadlier a 357 mag, a 44 mag, a 30/06, etc? Doesn’t matter there either.
Allan
[This message has been edited by tyeflies (edited 04 October 2005).]
What, no opinions about this?
Allan
Just to say I agree with you on this one to Allen. It just dosen’t make a hoot on regular trout hooks. Saltwater it does but not on trout. Amen Ron
Allan, What’s your point? (sorry 
)
Rich
Hooks smaller than #12 are generally fine but larger hooks for some brands could use some touchup.
But the biggest issue with the smaller hooks is bent points, especially those bent away from the shank. It doesn’t take much of a bend to make you miss a lot of strikes.
Gee guys, I thought the thread was about lacquer coatings for rust prevention ???
Ray,
Your last post:
“Gee guys, I thought the thread was about lacquer coatings for rust prevention ???”
You never mentioned RUST PREVENTION in your initial post but you did mention dulling the point and sharpness.
Allan
O.K. I’ll try again:
Does anyone know if the bronze coating applied to hooks in the form of a lacquer or other material have any dulling effect by somehow coating over the point? It could be that it is an electro-deposited coating but that also could blunt the extreme point. It’s obvious that whatever the process, the point could be covered applied to retard rust. My testing shows that removing it with the slightest effort with a ceramic stone IMHO will improve the sharpness of any hook. Does anyone have knowledge of the coating process?