I agree that a homemade pick that has been properly ground can be just as good if not better than commercial. I have 2 hooks, and 2 snakes that I made myself that are now my primary picks that go with me everywhere. These have picked many locks and never once let me down. The thing I do like about commercial picks is the consistency from one pick to another. I am used to the feel of my medium homemade hook. When a lock calls for my homemade short hook it just feels so much diferent in my hands than my medium hook. My lab picks on the other hand all feel the same to me no matter which lab hook i grab which helps me out alot when switching between picks to get a stubborn lock.
