Question about short hook pick

[Vargh]

I'm planning to make my own picks, and I'd like to remake my short hook pick with a better template, but I have a couple questions before I choose a template and cut my metal (I don't have that much of it).

I noticed that some short hook picks are relatively linear down the shaft; however, some get significantly thinner and dip just before the hook. Are these both short hook picks and which would be better for lockpicking? I assume that the one with the dip may help prevent oversetting the pins?

Also, how thin do you guys think I can sand my metal before it becomes too weak and yields? I'm using spring steel from windshield wiper blades (about 1 mm to start with).

Thanks in advance!

[MiPo]

Regarding the thickness. This depends on the keyways of the locks you wanna pick. Some of my locks require picks of 0.4mm others don't. How about adapting the picks to the locks you are attempting to target? It doesn't make sense to stop at 0.8mm if you cannot maneuver the pick around in the keyway. But I guess that at about 0.6 mm you'll reach a limit with that type of metal. I once made myself a pick of a windshield wiper blade which was about 0.5mm and it was way more fragile than the 0.4mm from sparrows.

[Ian_425]

The beauty of making your own picks, is that you make them and can customize them however you want. Make one of each a thin tip and a thicker tip. Try them both, see what works the best for what you are picking. When I make my picks, I try the have them vary a little each time to see if I can stumble upon something I like better than I have made in the past. I think I like making picks almost as much as lock picking, it's really just another hobby for me. I haven't been making a ton lately since my material source has kind of run dry, but during the time I was making the most, you could catch me in the garage after work 2 - 3 nights a week work with my files and sand paper.

Long story short, all picks have a purpose. I have made tension tools specifically for one model of lock, and that is the only kind of lock I will use that tension tool on.