I think gammies are worth the price.(heck if you consider the cost of a fishing trip $25 isn't that much) I have used VMCs and find them soft, I have had eagle claws break on me. Gammies are sharp out of the box, and if they go dull, I have been able to sharpen them with a little work with a hook file. though the resharpened point is not as strong as a new point out of the box. Sharp hooks are the key, and can mean the difference between a good take and a nice fish.--mike