And Barb.......I am not familiar with the stuff you used to coat the other picks you tried to make, but I know something that I think will work extremely well. You can get it at most chandleries (Sailing stores) and its used to coat the end of ropes to keep them from fraying, the old practice of "whipping" being an almost lost art. Its called "Whip Dip" and now that this has come up, I'm going out and dip a few picks to try it out!!! I'll let you know........BTW, by fig shaped are you talking a kind of "football" shape? I used to have a few of those, I think Fender maybe? Anyway, I'll try a few and send you some too if you want to PM me your addy.

Spaw