I was working a lock and knew I had a stack not set, thought it might be two. But I was not sure.
For crepe & giggles I pulled out a really cheap pick...one with rivets bonding the "handle" and it was bent a bit to the left as well.
I could not get it in the lock past the third stack. I took it out and put my good pick to work and opened the lock in an instant.
The cheap pick gave me the feedback I needed.
And I was about to toss it.
By the way, how long do your picks last?
My every day set are worn on the right side of the blade. They last two years before I replace them.