Spring Steel Picks Vs. Stainless?

[me1Locks0]

Hi All:

Any advantage to using Spring Steel Picks over Stainless Steel ? I reckon the The Spring steel would require more finesse but perhaps more feedback? I also wonder if the Spring steel would last as long as the the Stainless Steel. I am sure it all comes down to preference.

[loki-aka]

Stainless has a big advantage in the corrosion resistance column.

On the other hand, depending on where you live, you might enjoy watching your tool investment turn to
iron-oxide. Rust before your eyes.

[me1Locks0]

Hi:
Yeah, I was thinking there would be a durability issue with the spring steel.
Was just curious if they had any advantage.. So, with the cost of this stuff in general, I guess it makes sense to go with the stainless.

[Eyes_Only]

I use mostly spring steel picks and I haven't had one fall apart on me or fail me in other ways. And having used stainless steel picks as well I have to say that I've yet to notice any difference between the two.

To me they both wear out (mostly bend out of shape) at the same rate and if treated right they both will last the same. As long as you don't use any of it as a mini pry bar or a probing tool of some kind and other uses it wasn't designed for.

[me1Locks0]

Hi:
Thanks, for the replies. I guess only thing to do next is acquire a like set of each and see for myself.

[nostromo]

I'm with EYES_ONLY. My HPC carbon-steel pickset is 30 years old and the only signs of corrosion are from neglect where the leather was allowed to get wet. And once the steel corrodes or pits the pick is worthless, or at least has a very short lifespan.

My current working pickset has both SouthOrd carbon steel and Southern Specialties Stainless picks in it. Only difference in feel is from how thick the picks are. Richard at SoSpec has some picks that are a tad thinner.

Either way you can't go wrong. It's probably just a question of how accessible they are and how much. The profiles and shanks are all standard, though SoSpec has additional handle treatments.

One use for picks that are bent out of shape, if the shank is still in good shape, is to use it as a Peterson style knife for Sesame type locks. Just thin the steel with manual or powered abrasive.

[me1Locks0]

Good Reply thanks.. Guess I'll have to try them out !

[exspook]

MODS is this the correct area for this post??????????????