Most of my hooks are a brand called Yarnology. They are aluminum with a bamboo handle and a tapered head. I have a couple of Bates hooks and a couple of Boye hooks, but they are in sizes that I rarely use so I have not tried them often. What hooks do you like and do you prefer metal, plastic, wood... How do you hold your hook, because I guess that may have an effect on your hook preference. Thanks!