Sun Mar 22, 2009 5:56 pm by ToolyMcgee
Flat tip is easier keep in contact with pins as you lift, it's easier to tell if you slip off, and it gets under deep cut pins very well. Pointed tip(Gem point) gives a tiny bit more vertical reach than a flat tip, but still allows for rooting under pins pretty well. Rounded tip has to be laid on it's side and rotated to get under low cut pins alot of times and I feel it's harder to get used to the feel. "Am I feeling the tip lifting binding pins, or the shaft? Did I just set a pin, or did it slide off the binding pin." Things like that. It took me a good while to ditch the pointed and flat tip as my favourites. The main reason is because anything with a point on it may give the feedback you prefer, but it shreds pins and keyways. A well sanded round tip hook has a larger learning curve, but won't destroy a practice lock as fast. Everyone has their preference.
Cup tipped hook however is a different story. It hold pins great. No mistaking that, but even worse than a round tip for getting under low pins and you have to have a keyway with alot more space to maneuver. I finally ditched it because I couldn't pick difficult biting Schlage C keways with it. It's a tall hook that doesn't reach as high as any of the others because of the dip in it. Sacrifice maneuverability AND reach for a better grip on pins? Not the greatest all around hook. There are still lots more ways to increase the effectiveness of your hook, but it depends on the picking style you use. I've made a couple hundred hooks, and the rounded type of tips prove the most universal for me. Next week who knows...
-ToolyMcgee
