Korda Kamakura Krank Hooks

How well is it built?

The quality of the Kamakura is in the finishing. Most hooks are sharpened as part of the normal manufacturing run, but the Kamakura's point is given a second sharpening after production, which takes it to a finer tip than a standard hook can manage.

It's the kind of job you'd normally do yourself at home, and it's done before the hook reaches you.

The packaging is a step up, too. Rather than a card packet, the hooks sit in rows in a clear plastic box, which should keep the points apart so they don't knock against each other before you tie them.

That matters when the fine point is the reason you're buying them in the first place.

Underneath, it's the established Krank pattern, with micro-barbed and barbless versions in four useful sizes. For me, it's a properly premium hook from the point to the packaging, and I think 9.0 is a fair score.

Sharpness

The point is the whole story with this hook, and its extra sharpening puts it ahead of most hooks straight out of the packet. A finer point needs less force to prick into the mouth, and that's what you want when a carp is mouthing a bait and the lead hasn't set the hook yet.

It should save you the job of filing or stoning each hook before it goes on the rig, and every hook in the box gets the same finish, so there's no hunting for a good one. If you've ever thrown away half a packet because the points weren't up to scratch, you'll see the appeal.

To be fair, a very fine point can be more delicate than a thicker one, so it's worth checking it after each fish or after fishing over gravel, and changing a hook whose point has turned over. Overall, it's about as sharp as hooks come from the box, and 9.0 reflects that.

Hooking & Hold

The Krank pattern pairs a curved shank with a wide gape, so it's built to turn quickly as the hooklink tightens and then find a firm hold.

That shape suits bottom baits and wafters on a knotless knot, and it works with pop-up rigs too, where the curve helps the point flip down towards the bottom lip.

A finer point helps the first stage of hooking, as it pricks in sooner, and the micro barb gives a little extra security where barbs are allowed. On barbless venues, the barbless version relies on the curved shank and a tight line to hold.

So, why does it score half a point lower than its sharpness? Hooking is about more than the point, and the Korda Wide Gape, with its short shank and beaked point, should hold a touch better through a long fight. Overall, I think 8.5 is fair for a fast-turning, very sharp hook.

Is it good value for money?

Is it good value? It's one of the dearest packs of carp hooks around, and that's why value is its lowest score at 7.5. You're paying a clear premium over a standard hook for a point that's been sharpened after production.

Whether that's worth it depends on how you fish. If you already hand-sharpen every hook, the Kamakura saves you time and gives you a consistent finish, so the extra cost is easier to justify.

If you're happy with hooks straight from a standard packet, the Korda Wide Gape or the ESP Cryogen Curve Shanx are the more sensible buys, and the Atomic Grabba is the one to look at for weed and snags.

Pick barbless where the venue asks for it. Overall, I'd recommend the Kamakura Krank to carp anglers who'd otherwise sharpen their own hooks, and to anyone after wary carp where the first prick matters most.