If the gaff slides along the wood without digging, then the gaff is either improperly sharpened or the gaff angle is too small.

• A. False
• B. Not specified
• C. True
• D. It depends on the wood

Answer: (C)

Bite into wood with a gaff comes from a sharp edge plus a angle that directs enough force to penetrate. If it just slides along the surface without digging, there isn’t enough interaction to bite, which points to two likely issues: the edge is not sharp enough, or the gaff angle is too small to engage the surface properly. While the wood’s hardness can influence how easily it sinks, the primary causes for no digging are dullness and an insufficient angle. So this statement is true: a lack of digging typically signals improper sharpening or an angle that’s too small. To fix it, re-sharpen the gaff and adjust the angle to achieve a solid bite into the wood.