If you just want to see the awesome pictures just scroll to the bottom of this post. Take note that there is a "HD" version of each picture for those who really want to see the detail in the craftsmanship.
Jordan and I are really awful about giving each other our X-mas gifts on X-mas and this year was no exception. After being pestered multiple times as to what I would like to have for X-mas I got the great idea of asking for a JKR Gear DNA Hook from seeing the one Justin had brought to the Repticon Atlanta show in October.
The next day I expressed my wish to Jordan and two hours later I had been informed that she had ordered the Titanium 38" DNA Hook with a Cottonmouth Grip! When Jordan let me know she hard ordered the hook I immediately texted Justin to let him know that I ordered one and couldn't wait to get it. I was very excited to get this hook that I have been drooling over for literally months.
See Justin and I work pretty closely on any of his endeavors that eventually need a website of some kind. In this case he brought me in to build the JKR Gear website and as a result I got to see a few of the JKR Gear products before they were announced. I saw an early prototype of the JKR Gear "Hook" before Mark Tovar developed the Patented process of using actual snake shed to create a unique and one of a kind grip. So as a result I've been very excited to see this product hit the market and to eventually acquire one.
About 2 days after Jordan had ordered my hook Mark & Justin shared a picture of a number of JKR Gear items being prepped to be taken to the Midwest Herpetological Symposium. One of those items was a Green Mamba hook featuring Mark's new "Biomeld" process where he uses a special process to "meld" a synthetic material to the skin that matches the actual colors of the snake, in this case green. My mouth hit the floor as soon as I saw it.
Immediately called Justin and asked if they had anymore of those and if I could change my order to get that instead. He explained that he wasn't sure and would check with Mark. A few moments later he informed me that Mark would be more than happy to send me that exact hook if I was okay with waiting until after the Midwest Herpetological Symposium had come and gone. I of course agreed.
After the Midwest Herpetological Symposium had come and gone I received the Hook in the mail and opened it with Trey Barnard from Fireball Pythons with me. We were both absolutely stunned by the craftsmanship and and completely badarse it looked! Trust me when I say pictures do NOT do these hooks any justice.
You just don't get it until you hold one. I own a older aluminum hook that is 2/3 the size and is actually HEAVIER than this hook! I use my hook when handling my Carpet Python since he can be very wiggly so when showing him to others in an open area I keep my hook on me to direct him to wherever I want him to go. One of the "mottos" that JKR Gear has for its hooks is "Feel the snake not the hook" and let me tell you that is absolutely true! Normally I wouldn't feel when Auzzie is crawling over the hook but with this hook I definitely do.
Since the hook is so light when working with Auzzie I don't feel the weight of the hook I feel the weight he is putting on it which is really amazing. I haven't yet had the opportunity to take it out in the field but I have attempted to bend it with my hands and by putting my full weight (230lb) on the tip of the hook by leaning on it and it didn't budge at all! If I even looked at my old hook the wrong way it'd turn into a pretzel!
So clearly this is a quality product but the product itself is only part of the story. As I mentioned before what makes this hook so vastly different from any other (besides just being awesome at being a snake hook) is the DNA Grip that has a snake shed (of your choice!) underneath the grip. They get these sheds from various facilities around the country that keep Venomous animals to make Anti-venom and for disease studies (like cancer and diabetes). Whenever you purchase a JKR Gear DNA Hook they donate a portion of the proceeds to these facilities.
So not only are you getting a certifiable badass hook but you're also helping the Reptile Industry and promoting a great cause that is far bigger than the Reptile Industry itself.
The particular model I have (Titanium) is $120 however they also have a Steel model for $49 (Plus Shipping on both of Course). The Steel model is not as light as the Aluminum (Roughly twice as heavy, but 2x hardly nothing is still barely anything) it is just as strong and durable.
If you're serious about Herping or just want a new hook that you're proud to show off to even your non-snake friends then you definitely need to pick up a JKR Gear DNA Hook!
Link to the Product:
http://jkrgear.com/gear.php?cat=Field%20Gear&id=00018
Check out their facebook for all sorts of new products (like iPhone cases and it looks like they'll soon have wallets made with the Biomeld tech!!!)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/JKR-Gear/205599546149095
(if the link doesn't work search for JKR Gear on Facebook)
Click Here to see the HD version of this Picture.
Click Here to see the HD version of this Picture.
Click Here to see the HD version of this Picture.
Click Here to see the HD version of this Picture.
Click Here to see the HD version of this Picture.
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