This will probably start a debate about tongs but I feel the same way you do. I used them once, many moons ago, and didn’t like ‘em because of what they do, or can do, to the snakes. Not including how they tick snakes off. The reason I asked about ‘em was just in case there’s some new philosophy or technique I haven’t heard of.
A fellow tinkerer, ‘eh? I made the snake hook I’ve got now. Money’s not an issue. Well, that’s a lie, its always an issue, but paying for better hooks won’t be a problem and I didn’t think about using two and maybe having an extra one. Thanks!
Just in case anyone likes tinkering and only needs a lightweight hook, here’s how I made mine. I copied this from a post I made on another forum awhile back.
Here's a snake hook that I made from a camping fork. It's a light-duty hook but it held a 7ft burmese python with little flex. It's simple to make and dirt cheap. Overall length is 36 inches.
I started out with a "Camp Fork" made by Ozark Trail that I purchased from Wal-Mart for about $3.50. (See images below)
I used a Dremel tool with a fiber-reinforced cutoff wheel to cut one side of the fork off. A hacksaw would do the trick, too.
After cutting off one side, I bent the remaining part of the fork to form the hook. I did this by hand but you could use a short piece of pipe for more leverage, a vice, etc...
It's important to note that you need to pay attention to the bend that is being formed at the point of the yellow mark in the photo. This is the forming of the "U" in the hook. Some people like big curves and some like small ones, or even a 45-degree angle. The choice is yours.
Use a file to remove any burrs from where part of the fork was cut off. Also dull the point on the end of the remaining part of the fork because it's fairly sharp. I used my Dremel tool to grind more of a gradual slope on the end, making it easier to get under a snake's belly. This could also be done with a grinder or file.
Here's the finished product.
Thank you, Larry!
Have a great day!
HH
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It is said that 1 out of every 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends, if they're normal, then it's you.
