Has anyone used the 'new' Kryston Snake-Bite who can compare it to the older stuff ?
It was my 'go to' hooklink since originally launched, then the EU messed with the coating hardeners and it went rubbish (coating breaking on knotting), then Dave sold Kryston and everything went quiet for a while.
He did give me some Synx and Jackal to try at a early Northern Angling Show but I'm wondering if these are the same now as they were then. I did like Mantis and Super Mantis too.
I've been searching for a new coated hook link for some years so just wondering how the Kryston stuff is doing...if anyone knows?
It gets very expensive buying spools of this and that to try at home
It was my 'go to' hooklink since originally launched, then the EU messed with the coating hardeners and it went rubbish (coating breaking on knotting), then Dave sold Kryston and everything went quiet for a while.
He did give me some Synx and Jackal to try at a early Northern Angling Show but I'm wondering if these are the same now as they were then. I did like Mantis and Super Mantis too.
I've been searching for a new coated hook link for some years so just wondering how the Kryston stuff is doing...if anyone knows?
It gets very expensive buying spools of this and that to try at home
In reply to Post #1
I was in a similar position to you, in that back in the day I used kryston products exclusively, until they became a shadow of their former selves.
Now I use ESP Tungsten Loaded, and it does literally everything that you could possible want it to do.
I was in a similar position to you, in that back in the day I used kryston products exclusively, until they became a shadow of their former selves.
Now I use ESP Tungsten Loaded, and it does literally everything that you could possible want it to do.
I use the ESP stuff, cracking 
The Snakebite was unique at the time, and very good for me, can't comment on the new stuff, not seen it. The original was not nice when you got fibreglass splinters though and the puss went green
The Snakebite was unique at the time, and very good for me, can't comment on the new stuff, not seen it. The original was not nice when you got fibreglass splinters though and the puss went green
In reply to Post #1
I've tested at least a dozen different coated braids over the last year and I have settled on Jackal, imho it is by far the best on the market.
it isn't loaded with tungsten (don't see the point in that),
It doesn't split at the knot,
It is lovely and supple, not like the stiff ones that have a habit of sticking up off the lake bed.
It pulls out nice and straight
Is very easy to strip.
The braid behaves when it is stripped back
I will keep an eye out for snakebite because the gold was one of the very first coated braids I used as well as Korda's first one.
I've tested at least a dozen different coated braids over the last year and I have settled on Jackal, imho it is by far the best on the market.
it isn't loaded with tungsten (don't see the point in that),
It doesn't split at the knot,
It is lovely and supple, not like the stiff ones that have a habit of sticking up off the lake bed.
It pulls out nice and straight
Is very easy to strip.
The braid behaves when it is stripped back
I will keep an eye out for snakebite because the gold was one of the very first coated braids I used as well as Korda's first one.
Are Kryston still about then. I now Dave chiltern sold up to Taska.Then they went through a few owners. And then seemed to disappear of the Radar. Great if there still about. 
In reply to Post #1
I've got a couple spoils of old snake bite one still in packaging if you want to buy?
Also the esp Tungsten loaded is nothing like the snake bite, it's soft and the coating break really easily??
I've got a couple spoils of old snake bite one still in packaging if you want to buy?
Also the esp Tungsten loaded is nothing like the snake bite, it's soft and the coating break really easily??
Was in the market for some new links, I'm a good 12-13 years out on new stuff but swore by Kryston.
Didn't like the ESP links of the day and for what it's worth I have a longstanding aversion to Korda apart from Mouthtrap. Definitely a game changer.
Just had a look at the German? site is Merlin dark/silt availble here? I'm down to the last few feet of original green. Might be worth a shot?
I may have spools of pre-2012 Snakebite gold and weed in the loft, they were spot on, preferred it to Mantis. At least I hope its SB weed..only had a quick look and I'm already hoping it's not Snake-Skin..too much hassle
Bought some Mantis dark back then and for some reason I'd put it in the tin of crap..
That was until a couple of weeks ago and then I found out why..it was crap, awful to strip, frayed and snapped.
Didn't like the ESP links of the day and for what it's worth I have a longstanding aversion to Korda apart from Mouthtrap. Definitely a game changer.
Just had a look at the German? site is Merlin dark/silt availble here? I'm down to the last few feet of original green. Might be worth a shot?
I may have spools of pre-2012 Snakebite gold and weed in the loft, they were spot on, preferred it to Mantis. At least I hope its SB weed..only had a quick look and I'm already hoping it's not Snake-Skin..too much hassle
Bought some Mantis dark back then and for some reason I'd put it in the tin of crap..
That was until a couple of weeks ago and then I found out why..it was crap, awful to strip, frayed and snapped.
In reply to Post #6
The problem I had was the braid inside the esp tungsten. It just splaid all over the place and I was never confident on its strength. Think in the old days we might have called it multistrand braid which I always hated too because it was such a faff to work with.
One point on all coated braids is that they all seem to have stretchy outers these days making it difficult to strip back 1 or 2mm to create small hinges. Anyone got a knack for doing this?
The problem I had was the braid inside the esp tungsten. It just splaid all over the place and I was never confident on its strength. Think in the old days we might have called it multistrand braid which I always hated too because it was such a faff to work with.
One point on all coated braids is that they all seem to have stretchy outers these days making it difficult to strip back 1 or 2mm to create small hinges. Anyone got a knack for doing this?
In reply to Post #8
I think the old uncoated braid was also sold as Drennan either gravel braid or carp silk..now I'm going back
Was worth paying the extra for Kryston silk worm or merlin
I think the old uncoated braid was also sold as Drennan either gravel braid or carp silk..now I'm going back
Was worth paying the extra for Kryston silk worm or merlin
In reply to Post #8
I know what you mean, too many promised but fell short either braid, coating or both.
15 years ago everyone was bringing out new gear and I have a biscuit tin with close to a couple of hundred quids worth of hooklink materials that just didn't make the runs water trial to syndicate use.
I know what you mean, too many promised but fell short either braid, coating or both.
15 years ago everyone was bringing out new gear and I have a biscuit tin with close to a couple of hundred quids worth of hooklink materials that just didn't make the runs water trial to syndicate use.
Sorry for the delay replying to this thread...strewth.
@essdee, 2 of the spools I have to try are ESP Tungsten loaded, also have a Atomic JellyWire, Korda N Trap is it, and something else.
@ Onslow, interesting, I wonder how it compares to the old Jackal, I'll post a pic at some point.
@ Kells, I think so but who knows, Germany Ebay's got loads of Kryston stuff I've never even heard of!
@karmh, is it the old square paper packet & gold (not asking for much am I...lol) Doesn't sound good re the ESP :-(
@silverfish, what breaking strain Merlin was it you were after?
What really annoys me about present Kryston is they're selling stuff that bears no resemblance to the original product, they're not even trying, it's pee poor :-( and some of the colours are awful.
Ill take a pic later.
EDIT, this pic shows rigs from 2016 which I still have, I wonder how the new stuff compares.
Top 2 Snakebite Gold, then Mantis super or gold can't rem, have the spools somewhere, then all synx
And this one, I think a synx has migrated upwards as the 6th down looks suspiciously pink, the big brown one is ton up for Cats. Couple of Mantis in there too.
@essdee, 2 of the spools I have to try are ESP Tungsten loaded, also have a Atomic JellyWire, Korda N Trap is it, and something else.
@ Onslow, interesting, I wonder how it compares to the old Jackal, I'll post a pic at some point.
@ Kells, I think so but who knows, Germany Ebay's got loads of Kryston stuff I've never even heard of!
@karmh, is it the old square paper packet & gold (not asking for much am I...lol) Doesn't sound good re the ESP :-(
@silverfish, what breaking strain Merlin was it you were after?
What really annoys me about present Kryston is they're selling stuff that bears no resemblance to the original product, they're not even trying, it's pee poor :-( and some of the colours are awful.
Ill take a pic later.
EDIT, this pic shows rigs from 2016 which I still have, I wonder how the new stuff compares.
Top 2 Snakebite Gold, then Mantis super or gold can't rem, have the spools somewhere, then all synx
And this one, I think a synx has migrated upwards as the 6th down looks suspiciously pink, the big brown one is ton up for Cats. Couple of Mantis in there too.
In reply to Post #11
Those knot tags are all different lengths, don't you burn them off and blob them. I wouldn't sleep on a night
Those knot tags are all different lengths, don't you burn them off and blob them. I wouldn't sleep on a night
In reply to Post #11
It's snake bite gold yeah will have to have a look
It's snake bite gold yeah will have to have a look
In reply to Post #12
Blobbing is 4 people who have no confidence in their knots not slipping
(...no....tag ends aren't for the same reason...lol)
Even worse, for about the 1st 10 years I used to superglue all my knots
You leave tag ends alone, you should see my surface rigs I tied up the other day, 1/2" tag pointing back upwards at 45 degree away from the hook...noddy anti eject
Blobbing is 4 people who have no confidence in their knots not slipping
(...no....tag ends aren't for the same reason...lol)Even worse, for about the 1st 10 years I used to superglue all my knots
You leave tag ends alone, you should see my surface rigs I tied up the other day, 1/2" tag pointing back upwards at 45 degree away from the hook...noddy anti eject
In reply to Post #14
Just purely untidy, and a risk, see me
Slipping paranoia. I tried the super glue with normal braid lol, figure of 8 for me, faultless, sometimes a Palomar, strangulation knots, super reliable.
Just purely untidy, and a risk, see me
Slipping paranoia. I tried the super glue with normal braid lol, figure of 8 for me, faultless, sometimes a Palomar, strangulation knots, super reliable.