SHARPEN YOUR HOOKS

1 Most sharpening files work in one direction, so don’t rub backwards and forwards. Slide the file in the direction of the hookpoint and only sharpen the area between the barb and the point. 2 You should sharpen the hook along three planes – the top and both sides. Never touch the underside of the hook as it appears when locked inside the vice (the side on which the barb is located). 3 Apply gentle pressure on the file and carefully plane the hook. Hooks and files vary, but you should only need about six passes with the file on each side of the hook to create the sharpening effect. 4 The sharpening process removes the hook’s protective coating, but a tiny smear of Vaseline over the honed point will ward off excessive rusting once the hook is in the water.