Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
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The Mustad 3136, a Norwegian-made bait hook from approximately 1950–1970, was designed for saltwater species requiring heavy tackle and secure hook sets. The hook features a pronounced Kirby bend with lateral point offset, a straight ring eye, heavy wire construction, and bronzed finish—geometry that prevented the hook from pulling straight through tissue without engagement. Its ubiquity across the mid-20th century fishing market and subsequent adoption by manufacturers worldwide established it as the standard expression of the Kirby bend principle in saltwater bait work.
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The Kirby bend’s defining characteristic is the lateral offset of the point relative to the shank plane, visible when viewed from above P. This offset creates a ‘self-setting’ action that prevents the hook from pulling straight through tissue without engaging. The superior point features a near-straight inner taper that provides excellent penetration while maintaining strength at the tip P. Heavy wire construction was essential for the large fish species this hook was designed to handle, particularly in saltwater applications where corrosion resistance was also critical.
Grid-derived from photograph (1/10" grid)
Grid-derived from photograph (1/10" grid)
Physical measurement with calipers
Represents one of the highest-volume hook patterns in the garrenwood.com catalog, illustrating the scale of mid-century industrial hook production.
We have measurements for sizes 2/0, 3, 7, 4, 4/0. Know any others? Submit calipered measurements and we'll review and add them. Thank you!
O. Mustad & Sön was founded in 1832 by Ole Mustad in Gjøvik, Norway, and grew to become the world’s largest fishhook manufacturer. By the mid-20th century, the company was producing an estimated 50% of all fishhooks used globally. The Key Brand trademark, visible on this packaging, was Mustad’s primary export brand for quality hooks sold internationally. The company’s Norwegian operations represented the gold standard in hook manufacturing, using high-carbon steel wire and traditional forging techniques that made Mustad hooks prized by serious anglers worldwide.
The 3136 was part of Mustad’s core bait hook lineup for nearly a century, representing their standard Kirby bend pattern. The Kirby design itself dates to the 18th century but was perfected and industrialized by Mustad in the late 1800s. This pattern remained largely unchanged through multiple generations of packaging updates, testament to its functional excellence. The Quality 3136 designation indicated Mustad’s premium grade within the series, distinguishing it from economy versions sold under other model numbers.
Cardboard box construction with glued paper label typical of mid-20th century Mustad packaging. Key Brand logo and 'Oslo - Norway' address format predates modern postal codes. Typography and brown/orange label design consistent with 1950s-1970s Mustad export packaging before transition to plastic slide boxes.
At its peak in the 1960s, Mustad's Norwegian factories were producing over 3 billion hooks annually, with the 3136 being one of their most popular patterns. The company's dominance was so complete that 'Mustad hook' became synonymous with quality fishing tackle across five continents, much like 'Kleenex' for tissues.
The Kirby bend traces its origins to 18th-century English hook making, named after Charles Kirby who is credited with developing the offset point concept. Mustad industrialized and perfected this hand-forged design, creating the template that dozens of other manufacturers would copy throughout the 20th century. The 3136’s proportions and bend angle became the de facto standard for Kirby-style bait hooks worldwide.
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3308 No. 20 — Cincinnati Bass Hooks | 89% | Compare | |
| 1422 No. 25 — Mustad-Kirby Sea Hooks | 86% | Compare | ||
|
3138 No. 9/0 — 3138 Best Kirby Hook | 86% | Compare | |
|
4341 No. 2/0 — Mustad 4341 | 85% | Compare | |
|
2320 No. 6 — Mustad-Kirby Sea Hooks | 83% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
|
9863 No. 1 — Mustad 9863 Kendal Kirby | 99% | Compare |
|
Limerick Salmon No. 8/0 — Limerick Salmon Hook | 98% | Compare |
|
3658 B No. true — Limerick Hooks | 98% | Compare |
|
3130 No. 8/0 — 3130 Blind Eye Salmon Hook | 98% | Compare |
|
3319 A No. 20 — 3319 A | 98% | Compare |
Designed for heavy bait fishing applications P. The Kirby offset bend prevents the hook from pulling straight out of a fish’s mouth, while the ringed eye accommodates heavy leader material. Primary use was bottom fishing for large freshwater species like catfish and carp, or saltwater fishing for cod, haddock, and other bottom feeders V.
Large streamer flies for pike and musky when heavy wire is desired
Not typically used for fly tying
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mustad 92647 | Moderate | Modern production but long shank baitholder differs from classic pattern |
| Eagle Claw 84 | Good | Direct Kirby bend equivalent from US manufacturer |
| VMC 7106 | Good | Contemporary Kirby bait hook with similar proportions |
Moderately collectible due to Norwegian manufacture and classic Key Brand packaging, but limited by the common nature of the pattern itself.
Positive factors include the desirable ‘Made in Norway’ provenance during Mustad’s quality peak, complete original packaging with the classic Key Brand label design, and representation of a foundational bait hook pattern. The cardboard box format is increasingly scarce as most examples were discarded after use.
Limiting factors include the extremely common nature of the 3136 pattern itself – millions were produced over decades. The large 4/0 size, while practical, lacks the appeal of smaller vintage sizes. The bronzed finish, while period-correct, is less visually striking than nickelled or blued alternatives from the same era.
Cardboard box approximately 4" x 2.5" x 0.75" with glued paper label. Label features brown/orange color scheme with decorative star border pattern. Key Brand logo prominently displayed left side. Typography includes 'O. MUSTAD & SÖN Manufacturers OSLO - NORWAY' and 'Qual. 3136 Superior' with 'Mustad-Best Kirby Hooks' tagline. Box construction typical of 1950s-1970s era before plastic packaging adoption.
Values driven primarily by packaging completeness and condition. Loose hooks worth $5-10, complete boxes in excellent condition command premium. Norwegian manufacture adds 30-50% over later imports.
Estate sales, tackle shop closeouts, Norwegian fishing heritage collections. Complete boxes increasingly rare on general market.
Key identifiers: Key Brand logo on label, ‘Oslo – Norway’ address format, cardboard box construction, ‘Qual. 3136’ model designation. Later production moved to ‘Gjøvik, Norway’ address. Plastic slide boxes indicate 1980s+ production.
Store in a cool, dry environment to prevent corrosion of the bronzed finish. The cardboard packaging is particularly vulnerable to moisture damage and should be kept in protective sleeves or archival boxes. Avoid handling the hooks directly as oils from skin can accelerate patina development. The bronze finish will naturally develop a darker patina over time, which many collectors consider desirable as evidence of age and authenticity.
Original packaging significantly increases collectible value – keep hooks mounted on the original card rather than storing loose. If displaying, avoid direct sunlight which can fade the colorful label graphics. Store boxes flat to prevent warping of the cardboard structure.
The handwritten ’50’ marking visible on the lower right corner of the box likely indicates dealer inventory or pricing notation P. This type of handwritten annotation is common on mid-century tackle packaging and provides additional authentication of the era. The numeral style and ink tone are consistent with period marking practices by tackle dealers or distributors.
| P | Photographically verified — Directly observable in the photograph(s) on this page. |
| V | Verified by documentation — Confirmed by manufacturer catalog, spec sheet, or published reference. |
| I | Inferred — A logical deduction from observable or documented evidence, not directly stated. |
| E | Estimated — An approximation based on visual comparison, proportional analysis, or limited data. |
| S | Speculative — A reasoned hypothesis that cannot be confirmed from available evidence. |
Claims with no notation are confirmed by multiple independent sources. All photographs on garrenwood.com are taken on a measurement grid where each square equals 1/10 inch (0.1″ / 2.54 mm).
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