>. If you saw this "hook" you would see that it isn't going to bend > and it places a straight load on the chain by grasping both sides > of a link equally. Are you describing a devils claw? Here is the one I use. (I like it) http://www.bestmarineimports.com/DevisclawL.html My analysis of loads about chain hooks is only about those devices that do not distribute the load evenly on the link. --------------------- I am not worried about the side load on the chain hook but on the chain it self. --------------------- When I think about it, Bob is correct when he states the 30 degrees is too large for my example. When the chain hook holds the load and the rest of the chain is loose the next link forward in the chain moves in respond to the side load, this will reduce the resulting angle. But as long as there is an angle, there will be a side load component, since pull is not equally distributed on both sides of the links. However as the angle becomes smaller it will increasingly becomes less important. That is the sin of 10 degree's gives 17% side load. This is why a chain plate with two lines pulling straight back or a devils claw chain hook should allow a greater maximum load before the chain link fails.