e-Bay Hooks - Warning

[freestoneangler]

Just a word of caution to those of you buying hooks on e-Bay...some I have acquired recently are sub-standard. I have acquired Daiichi, Tiemco and Dai-Riki hooks from several sources on e-Bay and some of the hooks are sub-standard. In particular were some of the Dai-Riki model #270 hooks in several sizes that were breaking in the vice in the curve section. Upon closer look with magnification, these hooks have chatter marks from the forming operation which are the crack/break initiation site. (my other concern is that those that did not break during tying may in a fish!:mad: )

Though good deals on e-Bay are becoming inceasingly harder to find, I did score some awesome deals years ago before everyone "got on board". I never had any problems like this with store bought hooks and the majority of those acquired on e-Bay from the past...however, it appears that may be changing. Bottom line is either contact the source and see what they say about "selling seconds" or if they offer a 100% satisfaction return policy.

Caviat De-emptor

[Wayne Jordan]

That's exactly why you should just support your friendly neighborhood fly shop...

[Ringlee]

iagree

I find alot of Shady things on Ebay.

[Obsessed]

I've had problems with Dai-Riki 270's breaking in the vise to but I'm pretty sure mine came from my local fly shop so I don't think the problem is specifically Ebay.

Even so, I still try to support my local shop(s) whenever possible.

Dave

[pearguy]

IT's not just Ebay -- I have had the same problem of breakage with some Dai-Riki #125 14 emerger hooks that I picked up at an out of town flyshop. The owner had them on sale, told me that they weren't very good, but I figured what the hell, it was a couple of bucks for a 50 box. I probably still have 40ish left, they have been pushed to the back of the drawer, and I may eventually use them for throwaways. And I see those chatter marks you are talking about (I didn't bother looking before, I just threw them back in the drawer). Guess that's why I stick with Daiichi and Tiemco (mostly Daiichi).

[alpinetrout]

Dai-Riki hooks break, period. I've hung flies on Dai-Rikis up on logs and had the hook break when I try to snap the 6# leader, so I quit using them. A friend had a 3/0 stainless Dai-Riki break at the bend on a roosterfish.

[mr trout]

I guess I have been different than all you guys because I have been using dai-riki for about 4 years, and haven't had any flies break, and I have got some back off logs that ripped a whole piece of bark with it. My tippet snaps before the hook even bends in my experiences.... interesting to hear the mass displeasure about them though...

[Jerry Daschofsky]

I'm in same boat Mr Trout. Though I don't use trout hooks, I do use the Dai Riki salmon and saltwater hooks. Never had a problem with a breakage (knock on wood). Including a 48# king on a #4 saltwater hook. So I don't have a problem with those two models (and have caught ALOT of fish with the saltwater and salmon hooks). Now, the trout ones, have no idea. I will say though, you really have to quality control the hooks yourself. I toss out a few out of every pack I buy.

[Longs for Cutts]

I've never had a problem with breakage, though some do come out of the box screwed up. I figure that's what I get for paying half as much compared to other Japanese hooks.

[sixfinger]

So far I've only had one break in the vise and It was my fault. Cranking down on a size 20 for no apparent reason. Had a few times where I pulled up a branch or chunk of wood and they have held for me

[GVanKommer]

I have broken many hooks, but none more thatn the Dai-Riki hooks I now inspect every hook while I pinch, hone, and prep in general. I find though that I can generally see a slight stress mark in the bend and near the barb of most Dai-Riki hooks, but this is only noticable after the surface is rubbed off.

[Don Johnson]

If the vendor is the problem, why not blame the person you bought from rather than the means he used to initiate the transaction? eBay tries really hard to cull bad sellers and if the seller was peddling bad merchandise you should post his user ID and not use eBay as the scapegoat. Also, contact eBay and let them know. Before that, contact the seller and see if he'll work with you. In my experience, eBay sellers are usually pretty good about standing behind their auctions...too much negative feedback (3 if memory serves me correct) and the seller is suspended.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of vise are you using?

[Mike Etgen]

I'd like to add to this thread and perhaps take it in a little different direction with a follow-on question.

I've purchased hooks, including Dai-Riki, from Ebay vendors and the only one I'd had breakage with is the 270. That has occurred when I've debarbed them before tying, as I started that habit a couple of years ago. I would guess the breakage has been a result of defective hooks as well as method.

Which leads to my follow-on...

For those of you who de-barb...what tool do you use and/or do you have any sggestions for this operation? Does anyone go so far as to use something extremely fine to hone down the flash? (I can't imagine this on the smallest hooks and wonder if the heat would ruin the "set" or temper of the hook material). For nearly all my hooks I'm using a pair of fine-nosed pliers that are heavy enough to bring adequate pressure to bear while concentrating the "pinch" directly to the barb. They have a rounded surface rather than a flat, knurled, face. I feel I've had good success, but am always interested in learning a better way. I'm sure I've seen a tool somewhere that was probably designed for on-the-water operation, but never have gotten and tried one in the field or at the vise.

[Wayne Jordan]

For my smaller trout hooks I use my renzetti traveler. For my larger hooks I have pair of manley pliers that i used when I was guiding in the salt. They are spring loaded so it's easier to obtain the right amount of pressure without over doing it.