do handles just add style to the picks?

[shortlineflyer]

I was thinking about lockpicks with and without handles. The lockpicks without handles give me a better feel for what i am doing and the ones that have handles reduce that feeling. So i was wondering if handles actually serve a purpose or if they just add style to the picks?

[chriswingate]

So the picks you like are just straight sheet metal, as in standard South Ord picks? I myself like handles mainly for comfort, I have some picks with aluminum handles, they give good feedback. I have some Peterson dipped picks, and some of the rubber molded ones, for me feedback isn't a problem. I think it comes down to the individual user, some people do fine with nothing added, some like comfort. I think it also comes with experience, after using enough different kinds of picks, and picking enough locks, you can generally feel what is going on inside the lock regardless of the handle material.

Personal preference.

[FarmerFreak]

I'm sure there are handles made specifically to add style. Generally handles are used to add comfort.

[Solomon]

They're generally more for comfort, as FF said. Picking with hacksaw blades or commercial picks without handles is ok, but after a while not so comfy... I find picking with pins at the bottom isn't actually too bad with bare picks, but when picking the other way it gets uncomfortable pretty quickly. Handles don't take away any feedback in my opinion so I dunno why people gripe about them... personally I feel everything through the shaft of the pick itself, the handles just make it more comfortable to hold and give you more control.

[shortlineflyer]

I'm not against handles I was just wondering what their actual purpose was. what pick handle gives the best feedback while still being comfortable?

[Solomon]

I'm not against handles I was just wondering what their actual purpose was. what pick handle gives the best feedback while still being comfortable?

For me, the feedback doesn't come through the handle, it's the width of the shaft and tip of the pick more than anything else. But the most comfortable commercial handles in my opinion are the peterson dipped ones, although not everyone likes them because they have a bit of flex to them whereas most pick handles are very rigid.

[chriswingate]

For me, the feedback doesn't come through the handle, it's the width of the shaft and tip of the pick more than anything else. But the most comfortable commercial handles in my opinion are the peterson dipped ones, although not everyone likes them because they have a bit of flex to them whereas most pick handles are very rigid.

Like Sol said, I get feedback though the shaft of the pick, I always have a finger resting underneath the shaft of the pick, so the handle difference really doesn't matter to me. As far as what handles provide best feedback, I'd probably say metal, be it brass handles or aluminum or picks like the HPC ones. They probably dampen the sound the least. Most people I think keep a finger or some kind of contact on the shaft of the pick, if not just for having better control of the pick.