Hook sharpening

[WAHOONBOX]

I have been filing an edge on the front side of the hook like a cutting edge and then a few strokes around the point to make the tip sharp. What is more important a sharp tip or a good cutting edge.

DUDE....YOU HAVE ASKED A GREAT QUESTION HERE AND I HOPE THE WORLD WILL SHARE THE INPUT AND KNOWLEDGE HERE

I DON'T LAY ANY CLAIM TO BEING A SHARP EDGE BUT I TRY...


I GO FOR THE POINT .....I FEEL AN "EDGE" MAKES A CUTTING SLICE IN THE BONE/MEAT AND THE ENTRANCE WILL TEAR MORE EASILY....

I WANT MY HOOK TO MAKE A "HOLE" RATHER THAN A CUT

DOES THIS MAKE SENSE? HOPE YOU GET MY POINT


NEXT? STANDING BY FOR SOME KNOWLEDGE

[BTH284]

With the correct drag pressure in place, I would rather have a nice long needle sharp point that would drive to the bone rather than a cutting edge that could possibly wallow out and cause the hook to come out. Some hooks have a knife edge on the inside shank of the J. I only sharpen the point from 6 sides and do not even lay the file on the edge.
When done correctly, the hook should stay/stick to your fingernail when turned almost 90 degrees.

[Reel Happy]

I look at it this way. If the point is dull and drags the sharpest edge in the world won't get a chance to work.

So that brings us back to the point. If the point is sharp you should be able to drive it home cutting or puncturing either way.

Seems to me like hooks are harder to remove when they punch rather than slice.

[flappyj]

i use a file like pretty much everyone else here. sharpen 3 sides to make a triangular point. i am not so much concerned with the cutting edges but i want my hooks to have penatrating power. make sure not to file them to thin so that the point bends. i also use a sharpie marker on the hooks after i file them... it covers the area where u just filed off the plating and reminds you which hooks you have sharpened already...

[hotrodmarlin]

******* file works for me- I like a point over an edge but don't let the point get too long because if it hits bone that little part of the tip can lay over. I see a lot of people using stainless hooks but I don't use them because they are a ***** to sharpen and keep sharp.

[MakoMike]

I feel that both the cutting edge and the point are important. I don't want a long thin point that can break when it hits bone. I'd much rather have a sharp stubby point with a good cutting edge nehind it, so I can bury the hook deep. You don't have to worry about the cutting edge working the hole bigger if you just don't give the fish any slack, like you should be doing anyway.