Finger Placement? My current HURTS!!!!

[raimundo]

Commercial picks are stamped out on punch presses, a punch the profile of the pick slams into the metal stock which is held over a die that has a hole in that same profile of the pick, the hole in the die is just a few thousands of an inch larger than the punch, when the punch comes down, it presses the metal stock into this hole, and the metal starts to shear, then it fractures on the shape of that shear. This leaves a cutbreak edge, if you look closely at such an edge, you will see straight lines of cut and lower, the fracture area. The picks are probably then deburred in a large tumbler, and heat treated,
The handles also are stamped out and have the same type of edge, if you used some metal cutting sand paper to smooth and round this edge, and then used some fine grit metal cutting sandpaper to make this really smooth, This could make the pick less irritating to the finger.

[Dent]

It is more just the thin width pressing into my soft finger than any sharpness...

As far as finger modification, as I said I was thinking like dime-taped-to-finger type thing... to spread out the area of the pick force but still allow for the pick to be moved in and out of the lock easily.


Well, I'l waiting for the callous to form, but I can't stop looking down at my finger and freaking out from the huge indentation and flatpart caused by the pick.

I was thinking about getting some elastic band together and sewing in a button or other small flat object, and you could slip the elastic band around the tip of your finger....... will try to get pictures if I ever get around to doing it.

Scars for your craft are great and all but I'd prefer to find a method/device that left my fingers intact and reasonably well looking(one of my proffesions is a magician and involves manicures and keeping hands reasonably well-looking... rather not have a notch in my finger, but we'll see....)

[glasskey]

wow I never got any finger cramps or sores from my picks.. maybe I don't practice enough. anyways I hold my picks like a soup spoon thumb popsite first finger in the front and cupped in the pack of my palm with my last two fingers in the back. I know but this is what is comfortable for me.. If I need to get a deadbolt lock that is high in the door I might be in trouble if I don't have a stool to stand on..

[digital_blue]

Well, I'l waiting for the callous to form, but I can't stop looking down at my finger and freaking out from the huge indentation and flatpart caused by the pick.

Might I suggest that you release the Vulcan Death Grip that you are subjecting your picks to? I sometimes experience pain from picking, but it is more of a muscle exhaustion like you might get from playing piano for a long time. If you are causing major indentations to form in your flesh, I think you might be holding the picks a little too firmly. Keep in mind that the tighter you grip something, the less sensitive your feel will be. It does not take much force to lift an itty bitty pin against an itty bitty spring, so there is no need for excessive force to hold the picks.

Just my thoughts, FWIW.

db

[raimundo]

to those who make picks, here is an idea, for the advanced metal worker, make the handle stock twice as wide as the intended handle, then either with a pressbreak, or with one of those chisels that auto customizers use to creat a rolled edge, the metal can be folded back or rolled over to create a less sharp edge on the pick. in fact, rolled edges on both sides would be good for picks that can be used either right side up or upside down,
For those who buy commercial picks, consider the plastic handle rytans. this might be the solution.

[Uisgdlyast]

this is starting to make me wonder about how i hold picks.

I guess its close to a pencil but i use the lock wards as a lever for the pick.

I suppose it doesnt matter how you hold it as long as it works and you can feel it(although i do have trouble reaching short pins behind long ones).

I might suggest putting some sort of tape over the place, like athletic tape or even a band-aid

[kb9tke]

I am new to the community but I have always tried to use the tension wrench as a fulcrum to lever the pick up to pick the pins up. I have even modified some tension wrenches to some pretty elaborate shapes so I can always use it as a fulcrum. It works for me, so maybe you could give it a try.

[Kaellman]

Iv got my own custom-made picks and my own custom-made grip. Make some picks of your own and find the grip that fits your style!

This is me holding a double-ended hook: http://upl.silentwhisper.net/uplfolders/upload9/Kgrip.jpg

[ECG]

That sounds really neat, actually. Does it affect the "feel" of the pick at all? Or at least, have you noticed any "feel" difference?

And how much, approx?

The coating doesn't really alter the feel much, i guess a little, but i didn't really notice a difference. A can was only a few dollars $6.


Pete.

[plot]

I didn't get a chance to read the whole thread, but are you using southord MPSX or PSX picks? always get the MPSX pics from southord as they have reinforced handles are are typically more confortable in your hands (although that may not be the case with how you hold your pics). you could also try some peterson pics with the rubber handles or something...

since feedback is an important part of picking though, you don't really want any cushioning between your fingers and the pic as it would take away from your ability to feel the pins... so it's something that for the most part you will have to simply get used too.

[glasskey]

Kaellman - ouch!! that hold position looks like it could hurt

[Kaellman]

Nah it doesent for me . It works really good and give me the exact feel i want.