Alaska picks are a brilliant variation on the conventional finger picks - they actually feel like finger nails, are good and firm, and you can use them up and down - but the ones I have come across are made in some horrible brittle plastic that breaks all the time. Also they are virtially impossible to get in England.

I once saw somebody using what looked like the same design, but in a decent material. If there's anyone out there can tell me where I can get hold of some like that, I'd be grateful.