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Posts: 23
| Hey Guys! I mostly lurk around here, but I would like to ask about Hook Sharpening. It is well known that hooks out of the box just aren't sharp enough to do the job correctly. They require sharpening. But, it seems that I end up doing more damage to the hooks when I attempt to sharpen them. I have no problem sharpening my bass gear, but these big muskie hooks are a different animal. I have used a hook file, a sharpening stone, a couple of different battery operated sharpeners and when I go to hang the hook on my thumbnail to test it...down to the floor it falls. I have tried pushing the file into the point and tried pushing it from the bend up to the point. I know I am doing something wrong, but I don't know what.
Any replies will be appreciated.
Thanks!!!
Edited by SAVVY18 12/2/2004 11:10 AM
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| You need to just use a simple flat file, and file up a couple of times on each barb and they should be razor sharp and slightly stick in your finger nail!  |
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Posts: 3514
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | To piggy back off of that, I also use a flat file, and sharpen from the bend toward the tip. I file so that the tip is triangular in shape (flat on the outside of the hook, angled on the barbed side of the hook. It does not take much..over sharpening the hook will essentially wear the tip down and all you get is a shortened tip that is too close to the barb to penetrate well. A few strokes in the triangular fashion, and it should dig right in if you pull it across your thumbnail.
You'll know when you have it right...it will dig without pressure.
Steve |
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Posts: 132
Location: Elkhart, IN | If you have having trouble getting them sharp with a flat file, there are files that have two rat tail files welded together. All you need to do is run the hook between the two files. It's pretty easy. I personally do not think they get the hook as sharp as a flat file can. But if you are having problems this may help.
Good luck.
Brian |
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Posts: 333
Location: menasha wi 54952 | Great posts guys. I agree the rat tail files just do not cut it. A flat file is the way to go.
MR |
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Posts: 23
| Thanks for the replies. It seems to be the consensus to go from the bend up to the tip. It seems that part of my problem was the file/sharpening tool I was using and the other part was "over sharpening" them. |
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Posts: 336
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | I use the flat file myself. I know a lot of guys like to file into a triangular point, but personally, I twist the file as I go up. Just the way I was taught, and it works well for me.
lazer |
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Posts: 376
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin | I listened to Cady and I don't sharpen my hooks anymore. My hooking % has gone way up. |
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Posts: 2024
| I go from the bend toward the point. Hold the hook really well and press down firmly with the file onto the hook. Start from the right side (tip of hook pointed away from you) and go one swipe, another swipe down the middle, and a third down the left side. That's it. Watched Gregg Thomas do it this way and his hooks are razor sharp. I used to chizzle (sp?) away at but found that doing it that way does more harm than good. Hope this helps! BTW, I use the Luhr-Jensen flat file (yellow handle). |
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Posts: 1046
| The yellow handle,beveled,flat bastard file is the best way and one other thing I do is to remove the hooks from the bait,sharpen,then usually replace with bucher split rings. Then when they dull while fishing a couple light strokes brings them right back! |
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Posts: 3514
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | How dare you call a file a bastard!!
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Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | I like the double round file. The hooks get sharp, you won't tell my hands any different. I have had some pretty nasty cuts from them just brushing up against them. |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Hi- I use an EZE LAP Diamond Stone (1200 grit) 3" long, it has a hook sharpening grove and comes with a leather carrying case. Works great and fits in my pocket so it's always handy. It also does a great job on knives. The sharpening grove is good for smaller hooks.
http://www.eze-lap.com/product/1x3ds.htm
No I'm not affiliated with EZE LAP - just great product. A piece of flint in the other pocket & you're ready for any wilderness emergency where you need to start a fire.....:-O
Al |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | I highly reccomend the yellow luhr jensen flat file. Awesomely sharp... I have used the various chain saw files(twin-round files) in the past and have found that some hooks do not sharpen well with them. Only sharpen in one direction, never back and forth. I always try and sharpen three sides of the hook. |
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| I use a simple triangle fine metal file (available at any hardware store and you get three times the use with the three sides) I file from the barb tip to the tip of the hook at a 45 degrree angle on both sides of the barb (impossible to do with a wide flat file) and finish with the SMALL chain-saw file on the top. (available at Rollie and Helens-the big chain-saw files are useless) The point is to make a razor edge from the tip of the barb to the tip of the hook to cut and inplant the barb. If you don't sharpen to the barb (just the tip) you'd be better off going barbless.
Edited by muskiemachinery 12/3/2004 8:29 PM
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Posts: 938
Location: NeverNever Lake | I perfer to go single file.....................
Sears has some nice ones......................don't overlooks Stihl chainsaw files.....
And if you really want to hone that cone, go to Lowes and get a Delta Shopmaster wetstone wheel grinder, mine was only about 40 bucks.
http://www.deltawoodworking.com/index.asp?e=136&p=850 |
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