Holding the pick correctly

[unlocke]

I've already been given good advice by one member here with 20 years worth of picking experience. I changed the way I hold the pick. Since then my hands hurt very slightly.The webbing of my left thumb is getting a little blister. My right index and middle fingers feel sore. I'm guessing the muscles need to adjust and a callous will develop on the webbing. I only mention pain because I want to be sure that's normal for new pickers. I do spend hours sometimes not just a few minutes worth.

Here is how I hold it:



Like a scalpel. I used to use the bottom my thumb and only that. I started with a terrible way of holding the pick.
This new way is taking some adjusting. As I had 2 months almost with the wrong method.

Opinions on holding a pick?

[FarmerFreak]

Holding the pick is all about personal preference. But yes you should try other methods and get a little feel for each and then use you own method or whichever method works best for you.

That said, this is how I like to hold my picks.


with the lock.


I have been picking for almost 10 years now. This works for me. Give it a try and try different ways of holding the picks and find a way that works for you.

[FarmerFreak]

I can't believe I posted the same picture twice . sorry. I will try not to do it again.

[lock2006]

That way of holding the pick will be uncomfortable for me
but if it is working for you keep it that way
some peoples have differents way of holding tools
what about holding the picks like if you holding a pencil
have you try that
As far as holding the pick, hold it in the most comfortable manner to you
It's not uncommon to experience some level of discomfort when you are
picking locks for a long period of time
like you are doing for hours
i think the way FarmerFreak is showing you in
that pic will be fine i hold it that way too
hope this helps.

[unlocke]

I'm still figuring it out, not that I see this is important. One thing I did notice is that that ring finger was going all the way to the edge of the pick in the pictures. So my "pick finger" Should be near the tip of the pick.

I also looked at a David Storm's method some kind master locksmith? Not sure but had an interesting video except I saw on youtube about picking. Checking again that guy uses just his index finger. Insane skills I'd say for a guy that can pick 4 secure padlocks in about 30 seconds! I'm sure others are better around here but best I've seen ever seen.

I'll try holding it more like a pencil but I do need to hold my finger closer to the end of the pick itself. Should I be lifting with that finger or my entire hand by the way?

No one mentions these little details but it's so important to know.

[adrenalynn]

I use my middle finger for up, index finger for micro-down. I hold my pick similar to yours (surprise! , but I have less of my index finger over the top, using more of the side.

[tballard]

I am so glad someone else asked this question! I've been meaning to make a post about it for a long time. My preferred grip is (I think) rather unusual. Instead of holding it like a pencil or scalpel, I curl my all four of my fingers loosely around it, and rest the tang against the pad of my thumb. The tip of my thumb rests against the face of the plug most the time, and I slide the pick back and forth to adjust depth. I manipulate it with both finger movements and with my wrist, depending on what is called for. I also sometimes rotate my grip so that my thumb is at the bottom, and my fingers are on top and push upwards with my thumb against the pins.

I can pick holding the pick in a more conventional way, but generally have better luck doing it my way. In pictures, it looks postively ham-handed, but I promise it's a lot more graceful in practice. A similar grip is used by wood carvers I believe.

A couple of other data points:

1) I'm like most "left-handers" in that I'm really mixed dominance and/or partially ambidextrous. I write and do most other primary fine motor skills with my left hand, but throw, mouse, cut, etc with my right. I can pick with either hand, but left-handed I usually use a grip more like Adrenalynn's.

2) Historically, I'm always the guy who does things his own way / wrong.

3) The dark line on my thumb is grease and metal dust (I had been sanding the pick in my hand...)

4) Yup. My wrist gets sore. My arm gets sore. But i usually pick 2-3 hours a night.

[FarmerFreak]

I should have explained this from my pictures earlier. The fingers close to the tip of the pick don't really need to be close to the tip. They are meant to be touching the lock. And I use those fingers the same way that tballard is using his thumb in his pictures.

[unlocke]

I am so glad someone else asked this question! I've been meaning to make a post about it for a long time. My preferred grip is (I think) rather unusual. Instead of holding it like a pencil or scalpel, I curl my all four of my fingers loosely around it, and rest the tang against the pad of my thumb. The tip of my thumb rests against the face of the plug most the time, and I slide the pick back and forth to adjust depth. I manipulate it with both finger movements and with my wrist, depending on what is called for. I also sometimes rotate my grip so that my thumb is at the bottom, and my fingers are on top and push upwards with my thumb against the pins.

I can pick holding the pick in a more conventional way, but generally have better luck doing it my way. In pictures, it looks postively ham-handed, but I promise it's a lot more graceful in practice. A similar grip is used by wood carvers I believe.

A couple of other data points:

1) I'm like most "left-handers" in that I'm really mixed dominance and/or partially ambidextrous. I write and do most other primary fine motor skills with my left hand, but throw, mouse, cut, etc with my right. I can pick with either hand, but left-handed I usually use a grip more like Adrenalynn's.

2) Historically, I'm always the guy who does things his own way / wrong.

3) The dark line on my thumb is grease and metal dust (I had been sanding the pick in my hand...)

4) Yup. My wrist gets sore. My arm gets sore. But i usually pick 2-3 hours a night.

That's the way I used to do it. I don't see any of the pros do it that way so I'm guessing it's wrong. It's going to hard a change for you but just for me the feedback is worth it. There isn't enough feeling in the thumb, it was amazing difference to use a sensitive finger. The problem is it's like starting all over so it's frustrating. I'll let someone who knows much more then me give you advice.

[Olson Burry]

I kind of go for this approach:


I find it quite useful to keep a finger on the plug to sense any movement. Whether it is my 1st or 2nd finger depends on the pick shaft and where I am in the lock, also what (if any) forces need applying.

[unlocke]

What do you do if it's a padlock like a master #3 and your finger can't reach the plug?

I should have explained this from my pictures earlier. The fingers close to the tip of the pick don't really need to be close to the tip. They are meant to be touching the lock. And I use those fingers the same way that tballard is using his thumb in his pictures.

Thanks, that helps too.

[tballard]

What do you do if it's a padlock like a master #3 and your finger can't reach the plug?

It's not a hard rule or anything. A lot of the time I'm not touching it, but sometimes having two different hands (the wrench hand and the pick hand both having sensitivity to rotation is nice.

[le.nutzman]

I use my middle finger for up, index finger for micro-down. I hold my pick similar to yours (surprise! , but I have less of my index finger over the top, using more of the side.

LMAO, most people I know also use their middle finger for "up".........sorry, i couldn't help this one.

I like the fact that there is so much diversity on how one holds a pick. I'm amazingly, a lot like tballard in the aspect that I'm left handed, but I'm right hand dominate. The only thing I do left handed is write, everything thing else is done right handed. When it comes to writing on larger dry erase boards or chalkboard (yes I still use them from time to time) I switch and write with my right hand without thinking about it.

That being said, I too can also pick locks using either hand to manipulate the picks, for me though it's just more a matter of preference that I use my right hand for the pick and the left hand for the tension. Also, I think it's important that you look at holding a pick like you were holding a pencil or a feather fountain pen or a caligraphy brush, not so much in the form you use when you grasp the item, but rather the delicacy in which you movements are made into fluid motions when using such. Not trying to be all Zen like, but when you think about it, picking locks is a state of mind.

[adrenalynn]

I pick with either hand - but the thumb confuses me. It should be the least dexterous (but strongest) digit, and the least sensitive having a larger surface area with fewer nerve-endings...

[Legion303]

Holding the pick is all about personal preference.

+1. The "correct" way to hold a pick is whatever feels the most comfortable to you. Within reason, of course. You still have to be able to feel any feedback the lock gives you.

-steve