Crow Horse

Photographing hooks under the microscope has been an interesting endevour. It highlights visually what I already knew but seeing them closely emphasizes an important fact. New hooks right out of the package are "sharp" but not nearly as sharp as they could or should be. I'll be spending more time sharpening my hooks and I firmly believe that it will be time well spent....... If I come across any more hooks of interest, I'll snap some pics.......

Going barbless might eliminate the need for cutters....... (or maybe not. I haven't hooked myself that badly to know for sure).....

Just out of curiosity, I sent an email to Gamakatsu and asked them what the irregularities were on the hook point. Below is my inquiry..... Greetings, I've been using Gamakatsu EWG Worm Hooks Offset Shank (5/0) (58315-25) with success for the past 3 years. I recently began investigating hook sharpness as it's extremely important to fishing success. Using a Nikon SMZ645 microscope I looked at the hook points and discovered many irregularities on the hook point. Can you explain what these irregularities are? Thanks..... Attached are pictures taken through the microscope.... No response and I doubt that I'll get one. It's been almost 2 weeks since I sent my question.... I'm not calling out Gamakatsu as I suspect the other manufacturers will probably have the same "non response"........

Berkley Fusion 5/0 EWG

The VMC hook definitely had a finer finish and visually appeared to have the sharpest hook point. However, I'm finding that appearance doesn't equal sharpness. Out of the package as is, the Trokar did the best but it didn't equal the sharpness of a "sharpened" hook......

I'm very pleased with the results....... Berkley Fusion hooks will arrive soon for pictures.....

Here's what the Razors Edge Fish Hook Sharpener looks like. The center section that actually holds the hook is a turret with detents for the correct angles (shovel and side cutting angles).

I tested all the hooks that I have pictured with the "sharpness" test. Gamakatsu, Owner, Trokar and VMC. The only one that passed was the Trokar and that was "conditional". Even the Trokar didn't match the sharpness of the used and sharpened Gamakatsu with the Razor Edge sharpening system. The Gammi just wanted to dig into my thumbnail. The Trokar didn't "dig" in as easily. I'll photograph and test more hooks as I come across them.....

I think I magnified it more but I don't know how much. As I use the microscope more hopefully I'll become familiar with it. I'll be checking the hooks that are pictured (new ones) to see how they fare in the sharpness test. I'm thinking that the Trokar might be the only one that might pass, but the proof will be in the pudding.....

Sharpness test......not too shabby....

What is REALLY cool is the test for sharpness. Take your sharpened hook, tie on a short piece of line or leader and attach a weight to the opposite end. Then, with your thumb upside down and vertical, place the hook into your thumbnail lightly then release. If sharp, it will dig into the nail and hold even with the weight. Very cool! Here's a pic of a taper point suture (surgical) needle......

The Razors Edge Hook Sharpener arrived today and I'm pretty stoked about it. It's intended to be "bench" mounted but I had to try it out without properly mounting it. I also got their dvd explaining the technique and concept behind the sharpener and it makes sense although a little "dated". Basically, you triangulate the hook point but it's more than just that. You create a "shovel" edge on the inside of the hook point which "forces" the hook to dig in. And dig it does.... Here's my first attempt using their system. A used Gamakatsu EWG 5/0 hook......

I ordered some suture needles. Being that they are designed to pierce tissue, I'm figuring that they'll be a good benchmark. When they arrive I'll snap some pics.

I'm thinking that a suture needle would be a better baseline than sewing needles.....

Machine or hand? I've found that there is a wide disparity in needle sharpness, especially with the cheapies. Hypo's, although hollow, will have a much sharper/finer point.

Yes, the VMC hook looks to have the finer hook point and the finish is visually better than the others.

Getting hold of a new hypodermic needle might be tough. I'll have to ask my vet if he can part with one....

VMC Heavy Duty Wide Gap 5/0

I'm learning a great deal with this endevour and having a lot of fun as well....... The microscope I'm using is a Nikon SMZ645 and as I understand it from instruction manual, it's 8-50x total magnification. The microscope was previously used by an aviation manufacturer to inspect parts. The real tricky part is to get the camera (Canon A1300) I'm using in the proper position AND hold it steady......

I'll look for thr Berkley Fusion hooks. My original intent was to present in picture form the various types of hook points but I've found myself being drawn in a slightly different direction. I'll be looking into various types of hook sharpeners and the results that they produce. Admittedly, I'm OCD when it comes to any of my interests but I've learned (regarding fishing) that it's one's attention to detail that often.that dictates whether you land the fish of a lifetime or drop it. I'm waiting for several types of hook sharpeners to arrive and see how well they work. I'm really excited about the Razors Edge hook sharpening system. It's a "bench" type of sharpener so it wouldn't be taken out on the water but it uses the same method that is employed to sharpen surgical needles. I wish there was a method of testing sharpness that would yield quantifiable results for easy comparison. So far I haven't found one. I'll still be snapping pics of different hooks as I come across them.......

Here I used an Eze-Lap hook sharpener to sharpen the hook point. It passed the finger nail test. I'm going to experiment with finer grits and see how that looks...

Another.....

For fear of embarrassing myself, this hook I used the last 2 trips out. Although beat up visually, it still felt sharp to the touch although not as sharp as it should be. Footnote - I crush the barbs to facillitate catch & release....

These are the only hooks I have. I'd be glad to take pics of any hook point but I'd need the hook (obviously). If there is interest, send me one hook with information about it and I'll snap the pics, and return the hook.....

This is my first attempt at photographing hook points under a 50 power microscope (Nikon SMZ645). I thought it would be interesting..... These are 5/0 wide gap worm hooks......Gamakatsu, Owner, Trokar, VMC