The dirt and grime makes them feel sluggish and difficult to "feel".
I agree. Though I found that when it's full of WD-40 the pins are getting slippery (the top of my pick slips down much easier) which is not too helpful either

I think the type you are dealing with is called Titan K6 (in case you need help of info or need to google it for whatever reason)
Here is a quick summary of Titan locks:
In the order of increasingly elaborate security:
K-ms,(~= K-ns) & K1 are 5 pins,
K 5 is dimples (5 active 5 passive pins).
T100 has 6 pins plus 8 side pins (4-4 per side).
Then the top of the range T200 with 6 pins and 5 sliders.
So if it has no side pins it is K6.
Good luck with the picking.

As for the tubular pick:
I think the best price/quality ratio out there is the Southord 8 pin.
The HPC is better quality but is also more expensive

Then there is even higher up, but the name I wanted to write slips my mind monetarily. Anyway for a hobbyist I think Southord is already good enough
