Manyboats,
I investigated the Rocna during the debate over which steel was bing used in the shanks and how the RINA certificate applied, to the Rocna. As part of the investigation I was given 2 out of spec Rocnas, files covering the time when the low strength steel was used in the shanks and had email discussion with the Shanghai office of RINA. RINA were sufficiently concerned with what was happening (for one thing their name was being besmirched) the then President of RINA joined the correspondence.
I had a couple of bent Rocnas tested for steel quality. I also actually bent the Rocna I had to find the load under which it would fail.
I have more recently conducted an investigation into anchor chain, primarily American but also Italian, Chinese and Australian. This has involved looking at galvanising. As part of the investigation I am also looking at a new form of galvanising.
If you want to read the results of work I conduct check, with Practical Sailor, back over the last 3 years or so and abstract their articles on anchors and anchoring, they are all mine. The chain articles are in the middle of publication. The article on chain strength has been released, abrasion is being edited and shackles and swivels etc is in the wings. If you want to read my comments on Rocna look at the articles of the time in YM. I wrote one and co-authored another 2.
However I do not claim to be an expert on galvanising, its a bit like anchoring - there does seem to be something of an art left in the process.
Of the Bugel, there are very few genuine Bugels, made by Wasi. Wasi only made stainless versions and virtually all the ones I have seen, they are very common in the eastern Med, are steel and copies. Most look cheap (as they are often bent and painted). In the western Med Bugels are replaced with Brittanys, as a common anchor. But Bugels come in many forms, I have even seen one with 2 toes, like a welded Britanny with a roll bar.
All Rocna were made with the correct shank thicknesses which are 'scaled' up for the larger versions. Steel plate only is made in specific thicknesses and as you scale up sometimes there is not a thickness to suit. The anchor maker then ends up with a shank thicker, or thinner, than he would like. Obviously they do not want to buy sheets of steel that are seldom used so they make conscious decision on what they will stock (some anchor makers weld 2 cut shanks to get the right thickness - its a common practice). So the steel in the image might be a bit thicker, proportionately, which will alter balance - but in this case, without knowing which weight of anchor it is I cannot comment. But the mild steel versions had the same shank thickness as the HT steel versions.
On the subject - as it has been glossed over - the Mantua shank has a width (not thickness) of plate about 60% of a Delta, Excel or Rocna. If the steel is the same strength, quality, and as they use the same plate thicknesses then the strength of the HT Mantua shank is 60% of that of, what seems to be, an industry standard. Many of the Rocnas that bent had a strength 60% of what was intended. I have the steel analysis, by an independent laboratory, of Rocna shanks that bent in use, to support what I post. So whether Noelex shank was mlild steel or HT steel I am not surprised - just surprised he glosses over it and did not independently verify what steel was used.
Whilst I have every drawing of every Rocna, signed by the designer, I try not to publicise what they do - if you understand - unless its a safety issue and then I have no morals at all!
I always wanted to test the XYZ but it was insufficiently mainstream and its one that slipped through my net. I have tested many other anchors (not the Bugel) and when I comment on anchors I have usually actually used them, as well as tested them. And when I say use them - we take them on 1,000nm cruses and use them in a high cross section of seabeds, mud, sand, weed.
I will try to stick with TF, you are a nice bunch of guys. You debate with some caution, you appear to use your anchors and those that are commercially motivated declare that connection. But I do 'use' the information when I write my articles as I need user feedback - and if you say something with which I do not agree - I go and test what you say to confirm your comments (or not) and I am sometimes found wanting (but I seldom admit to being wrong - I just change my ideas
).