Interesting Bill. I have had that happen. I started bending the tip of the
barb down instead of trying to smash the barb flat. Worked fine for me.
Ernie

"Bill Kiene" wrote in message
...
When the fly fishers crushed the barbs on the Mustad hooks, many of the
entire points fell off.

The fly fishers brought them back to the location where they purchased
them
and complained.
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA