The only snap swivels I use are the silver style with a double-welded eye. Twice now, once in Texas and another time during a Bahamas Billfish Championship tourney in the Bahamas, I've seen the black or blackened style break under very little pressure. In both circumstances it was during the drag-checking process. You know the scene: one guy on the dock and another manning the reel. Once the snap swivel was placed in the scale to check the drag setting at strike, the swivel broke. I examined all pieces remaining and was quite surprised. In both cases I saw green residue on the broken pieces of the swivels. That was enough for me.
I've been told that in order for the swivels to become blackened, the manufacturers have to etch or bathe the metal in acid. Most of the time, they manage to wash all the acid off in a timely manner to ensure no metal fatigue. But do they always get it off in time?
Imagine getting a good bite and watching a nice fish jumping all over the ocean and getting a broken swivel back. Finding out you lost a fish due to a component you chose to tie or crimp on is going to be a huge disappointment. Sorry, not on my watch.
Capt. Allen Silzle
Birmingham, Alabama
