Custom Bogota with Bocote Handle

[ChonkyTonks]

Hey all,

Here I am, yet again, with another entry into the annals of lp101. Below you will find a picture of the latest pick I have created. It is a Bogota with a custom Bocote handle. This time around, I used more shellac and discovered (with the help of Google and Ratyoke) buffing compound. Buffing compound == one wicked shiny pick. I have another, similar pick that is just about done that will be posted, as well. Let me know what you think. (This may be a wee redundant for the keypicking folks)



I hope you likey.

-ChonkyTonks

PS: Critiques/comments are welcomed.

[MacGnG1]

its so pretty i wouldnt want to use it.

[ChonkyTonks]

its so pretty i wouldnt want to use it.

Life is short, m'friend; You should use something pretty like this as it will give you a deeper, richer experience.

[Legion303]

Looks like a Klingon ritual stabbing device.

I like your picks as pure art, but are they comfortable to use? It looks either awkward or very comfortable, depending on whether you could hold it the right way.

-steve

[MBI]

Wow. Just... wow.

PM sent, check your inbox.

[vov35]

It's a beautiful pick! but why the little forward metal horn thing below the shaft?

[ChonkyTonks]

@Legion303 and vov35: I design everything I make with ergonomics in mind. This particular pick has a handle that is shorter than I would have liked, thus the "Klingon ritual stabbing device" (love that, btw) to help stabilize the pick in the hand. The index finger and thumb hold the pick where the top dip (and directly below) resides. The middle finger is then held under the "stabbing device" curve to stabilize while the end of the handle rests on the palm/web of the hand.

Once I realized that the handle was shorter than I would have liked, I added the point curve on the fly because I knew I needed a precision variant to help support the overall function/stability of the pick.

I am a big proponent of form/function aesthetics.

-ChonkyTonks

[raimundo]

when are some of these gonna be in movies.

Movie and TV makers are probably where most of us first saw lockpicks,

Now there are some picks that really are photogenic.

somebody wake me up when they use them in a movie.

that jackknife used by val kilmer in the saint was junk though.

[Oldfast]

Wow, thanks for sharing. Very nice!

What's your method when connecting your handles to your picks.

I really like some of the wooden handles I've seen. How's the feedback with wood
in comparison to a metal handle? If made correctly, it seems the difference would be minute.

[peo82]

congratulations nice job !!!!!

[ChonkyTonks]

@rai: I would actually loathe to see these in a movie as I would hate for these to be the "Jersey Shore" equivalent of lock picks. heh.

@Oldfast: I use monster glue to fasten the handles. It is messy, but really helps lock them onto the tang since I am not using any fasteners. I would love to use fasteners, but just worry that the wood would crack from the application.

The feedback is great. I love using these picks. I get a good weight from the pick, but can feel what is happening in the lock, as well. Ed wrote a review of the dual hook/notched pick I sent him. He really loves the responsiveness.

@pe082: Thanks. I will keep trying to make them better and better.

Thanks for everyone's comments.

[Evan]

Looks like a Klingon ritual stabbing device.

I like your picks as pure art, but are they comfortable to use? It looks either awkward or very comfortable, depending on whether you could hold it the right way.

-steve

Hey, Klingons need lockpicks too...

:-O

Nice design and craftsmanship ChonkyTonks, congrats...

~~ Evan

[ChonkyTonks]

Looks like a Klingon ritual stabbing device.

I like your picks as pure art, but are they comfortable to use? It looks either awkward or very comfortable, depending on whether you could hold it the right way.

-steve

Hey, Klingons need lockpicks too...

:-O

Nice design and craftsmanship ChonkyTonks, congrats...

~~ Evan

Someone needs to photoshop Worf holding this pick and saying, "I must have dishonored my clan."

Thanks for good words.

[mcm757207]

Absolutely beautiful... well done.

[edsmiley]

I did not get a single handle pick, but the double sided. It seems that ChonkyTonks put a lot of thought into how the pick will be held and whether or not it will be comfortable. When I first opened the packages, I was a little worried about the size, but it really is quite nice to hold.

The wood does not hinder the feedback at all. To me, the feedback is just as good, if not better of any of the other picks I own. I really do like this pick.

ChonkyTonks, the picks look beautiful and I am sure that they will feel as good as they look!

Ed