Fishing Multi-tool or Pocket Knife

[MuskieBait]

Make sure you get a good quality diamond file...and even then, a good quality diamond file is good for smaller hooks, but once you get beyond 1/0 hook, I'd suggest some of the other metal files from hardware stores. I tried to use a Rapala diamond file on a 5/0 hook...by the time I was done with that hook, most of the diamond dust had fallen off...

[beaser]

I've had my leatherman "wave" for about 10 years now. I've used it to do emergency repairs on big refrigeration systems (control), work around the house, outside in the garden and now for my go to tool when fishing. They're not cheap but they are well made and fairly well balanced. I've worked with tools all my life and a decent tool should be balaced with no compromises, the leatherman are.

They are around $100 but well worth it. My wave has followed me all over North America and when air canada lost my tool box the wave did more than it should many times. Mine has a diamond dust file with two different surfaces as well as 2 other grit choices on edge. One surface is similar to a diamond steel. This beats a standard file all to hell. The two blades hold an edge far better than most (2.5 and 3") and the scissors are more than a toy.

[OldTimer]

Have you tried Lee Valley? They have a folding diamond file - but not real cheap. Might be a bit big for real small hooks though.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.as...6168,46180

[MichaelAngelo]

I recently bought a $10 pen-style diamond file but I rarely use it... I usually end up re-tying. Right now I'm not able to get the gamakatsu sticky sharpness back with my own file... anyone have a technique?

[OldTimer]

Enlongated triangular shaped point with one edge of pyramid in line with barb is what I try for - with a flat edge opposite on the back (outside) of the hook......long slope, not short & stubby....... never create a cone.

[MuskieBait]

(05-22-2013 03:42 PM)OldTimer Wrote:  Enlongated triangular shaped point with one edge of pyramid in line with barb is what I try for - with a flat edge opposite on the back (outside) of the hook......long slope, not short & stubby....... never create a cone.

Yep...that is what I do as well. Sharp and strong point.

[MichaelAngelo]

(05-22-2013 04:04 PM)MuskieBait Wrote:  

(05-22-2013 03:42 PM)OldTimer Wrote:  Enlongated triangular shaped point with one edge of pyramid in line with barb is what I try for - with a flat edge opposite on the back (outside) of the hook......long slope, not short & stubby....... never create a cone.

Yep...that is what I do as well. Sharp and strong point.

A light touch and steady hands? How many strokes do hooks need? 1 or 2 light brushes on the diamond?

[OldTimer]

Yep........... always eyeball what ya got to start with and proceed from there........... sometimes one side is fine as is, then hit only the other two faces........etc.

I always do back side first......... seems to work better/faster.

Test for sharpness after doing each face. If it gets sticky sharp - why go farther?

[MuskieBait]

Depends on the size of hook and the size of the point. A small hook only takes 2-3 strokes on each side...a large hook with a big point will take much more than a diamond coated file.

[MichaelAngelo]

This may be a thing like learning to snap fingers...

I think I may be missing something... like the angle of the strokes or another aspect of the technique. I just end up with dull, blunt hooks XD