How to tell stainless steel?

[Mike53]

I have bought some fishing hooks off ebay that are described as "stainless steel" but I suspect they are not. They are bright & shiny like chrome/nickel plate. Additionally they are strongly magnetic. Is anyone aware of a grade of stainless steel that is magnetic & that fishing hooks are made from?

Thanks

Mike

 

[merlin50]

The simple answer is... it depends. It depends on what other elements have been alloyed to create the steel.

Basic stainless steel consists primarily of iron with approximately 11.5% chromium (by mass). This IS magnetic and is known as a "ferritic" (from iron) steel.

However, many stainless steels are known as "austenitic", and contain a greater amount of chromium and also another metal called nickel. It is the nickel which alters the steel's physical properties and makes it non-magnetic.

 

[Mike53]

Thanks.

So if these hooks are stainless they are ferritic. Is it likely they would be shiny like chrome?

Mike

 

[libby lou lou]

Different grades of stainless are everywhere nowadays, i think 318 is food grade, but iv'e fished for years and never heard of stainless ones.They are not needed with the quality of hooks available today.

 

[merlin50]

were they cheap

 

[Trazor]

Stainless steel hooks are poor quality.

Carbon steel hooks are stronger, "unbend" less easily, and stay sharper longer.

 

[gasbanni]

Stainless steel hooks are poor quality.

Carbon steel hooks are stronger, "unbend" less easily, and stay sharper longer.

Yup stainless spokes are weaker than steel ones as well..........but they always look nice !

 

[conny]

Different grades of stainless are everywhere nowadays, i think 318 is food grade, but iv'e fished for years and never heard of stainless ones.They are not needed with the quality of hooks available today.

316 for food grade lib.

 

[libby lou lou]

And 304 t304, i don't follow it but give an answer to what's going on in my days

 

[Mike53]

Thanks for replies,

I use stainless steel nuts/bolts/screws & fittings regularly/daily grades 304/A2 and 316/A4 and realised the hooks were neither of these immediately. I emailed my supplier who have replied & admit they are unsure whether they are stainless or not although they are clearly advertised as such. They are Octopus 6/0 from cathedralbaitsandtackle. They have advised they have emailed their supplier and await their reply. My mind boggles to think they are advertising these as stainless and have no idea whether they are stainless or not!

They are £14.99 / 100 delivered which would be OK for stainless but a rip off for plated hooks. I already have hundreds of Mustad hooks but needed these for use on a long line.

I have googled for Octopus stainless steel hooks and found an Austrailian supplier called Dynatec, other results for Octupus hooks were all non stainless.

Will post again when I get a reply from Cathedral.

Mike

 

[longdogs]

If it's got stains on it, it's probably stainless steel - just like my kitchen sink

 

[mattylad]

Yup stainless spokes are weaker than steel ones as well..........but they always look nice !

I'm sure the fish don't really give a monkeys if the hooks look nice

 

[Lower]

cut one in half and dip the cut end in salt water. If its plated mild steel it will rust at the cut pretty quickly.

 

[Mike53]

Good news.

Had a response from my supplier who advise they contacted their supplier who in turn contacted their supplier in China.

The hooks are stainless steel grade 420.

Mike

 

[Alarm]

So will the fish bite better?

Let me know as I have a new carbon carp rod and a 9mtr pole to try out.