"slenon" wrote in message
...

I'm sure that your post is based upon careful observation. I have noted
that Tiemco hooks appear to be sharper, too. However, I can afford to tie
more flies if I buy Mustad hooks and sharpen them than if I buy Tiemco or
the other Japanese lines.

I've had no bad experience with Mustad but have had a several Japanese
hooks
break in use. That, combined with their higher cost per hook keeps me
firmly in the Mustad camp despite their limitations.


I've had a couple Tiemco's break in the vise after applying way too much
pressure using Kevlar thread, and a couple break while mashing down the
barb. Now I rarely use Kevlar, and I've learned the proper way to mash a
barb. For my money, I prefer the Tiemco's over Mustad because I know a
Tiemco will be sharp and I can't see well enough to sharpen every Mustad I
take out of the package.