Touch Hole Picks!

[Rendezvous Valley Trading]

Evening Folks! Got into a discussion the other day about what is a good pick. Turns out that just like everything else, everyone has opinions on this subject too. So lets see them! Probably opening a giant can of worms here, but oh well!

So here is my favorite. I make them out of blow gun darts of all things. Super strong and springy. Can be sharpened to a sewing needle point but stays strong. I stick a few of them where my possibles bag strap is sewn to the bag, in that seem. Have only lost one in 30 years. I am looking forward to this!!

 

[IanH]

I use feathers of small birds that I find on the ground in the woods.

 

[TDM]

Looks very effective!

 

[French Colonial]

I just use some 1/16" brass wire and bend it. Sometimes file a little flats on the pointy end so it helps move the crud if you twist it.

Lots of store boughts are to short and to thick.

 

[pacanis]

I have a couple picks I bought that don't even fit in the touch hole. Maybe they were to clear nipples, lol.
And since I'm a "blower" once more, I haven't had the vent fill with crud since.

But those are sure some dandy looking picks. Nice job.

 

[Kansas Kid]

I use rebar tie wire and hang one from each trigger guard.

 

[oldwood]

I'm embarrassed to admit it , but my favorite pick is those about 2" long paper clips. I just unfold one of the straiht sides , and use the rest of the clip to hold on to the thing. Also sometimes cut a piece off the paper clip , and glue the wire into a piece of deer antler , or just a hunk of shortened , leftover ram rod end. I have several of the fancy blacksmith hardened ones , but like the soft lead bearing steel wire , as I think the soft wire , is easier on the touch hole.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Vent pick choices are like wimmens every male has their particular likes, they are a good project to while away some time again just like wimens, they make nice gifts (not suggesting you give away your wimmens) and sooner or later you will mis-place one (not a bad ideal for some wimmens) eventually one might stick you ( like the wimmens collecting from your bank account) any way they look good, nice job.

 

[Rancocas]

Like Oldwood, I just use a paper clip.

 

[rich pierce]

I made one from a turkey leg tendon. Holding up well.

 

[Fisherking]

I have a couple picks I bought that don't even fit in the touch hole. Maybe they were to clear nipples, lol.
And since I'm a "blower" once more, I haven't had the vent fill with crud since.

But those are sure some dandy looking picks. Nice job.

I grind and file mine down until they fit the touch hole perfectly. Probably just an OCD thing, but it works

 

[pacanis]

I grind and file mine down until they fit the touch hole perfectly. Probably just an OCD thing, but it works

I wasn't sure how brittle they were, because they look forged.
I wouldn't want to make one too thin and have it snap with the slightest sideways pressure. If it was soft like a paperclip that wouldn't happen.
Just didn't want to take the chance.

 

[smokepolehall]

I have been using a small finish nail, when no one is looking. I have also started using pinning stock.

 

[TDM]

Agree, sharpened pin stock work good.

 

[deerstalkert]

i use a HC/PC set of torch tip cleaners. the holder fell apart so i have the picks spread among various bags.
usually not the one i happen to be using!

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I use a little wrought iron one that works fine. Amazing how many people I saw at the rendezvous I was at recently with lips wrapped around the muzzle blowing smoke out after shooting....not something I'd ever consider. Just seems bad practice. Mostly young guys, a few called them out for it but they didn't seem to care. Maybe some on this forum do it, you're a daisy if you do....

Anyhow, the little pick works fine.

 

[pacanis]

Yep. I'm old school.
Blowing through the muzzle with a cupped hand was taught to me by the generation (or maybe two) before me... and I did stop for a while to appease the new internet masses... but have returned to my roots. It just plain works.

You know, I probably have a gun muzzle or two pointed right at me as I type this, but you either know the gun is unloaded/won't fire, or you don't.

But we have a whole nuther thread devoted to this topic since I've been here. And probably many since before I arrived.
Maybe even one saying it's not OK to blow through a Traditions, but OK for other ML's

 

[TDM]

@pacanis, I do too, but don't tell anybody else. I don't want to derail the thread.

 

[pacanis]

@pacanis, I do too, but don't tell anybody else. I don't want to derail the thread.

Next thing you know you'll be driving to the local grocery store without wearing your seat belt

 

[TDM]

Next thing you know you'll be driving to the local grocery store without wearing your seat belt

Too late.