New favorite pick! Hawk SB over Bluechip CT55

[Jesse Kinman]

I’ve been using a Bluechip CT55 pick almost exclusively now for about a year, for both mandolin and guitar, before that I used a Bluechip TAD1R 50 for 2 years. When I first got both Bluechips at the same time the 50 was a bit thicker than I had been using, but I caught on fine just using the rounded edge. I couldn’t use the pointy edge comfortably, it was too sharp and I couldn’t tremolo with it. With time though I was able to learn how to finesse the pick to play both hard and powerful, as well as soft tremolos with the pointy end, and eventually worked up to the CT55. Not sure if it was mental or just my different technique, but I’m glad I made the switch to the thicker CT55 with its pointy tips. I love the tone I get with it.
However..... I received the Travelling Pick Sampler a week ago, and there’s a Hawk SB pick in it, https://hawkpicks.co.uk/product/simon-brady-signature-pick/ it is slightly thicker than my CT55, and has 3 different tip profiles, from really pointy with RH bevel, to a normal point with RH bevel, to really rounded with standard bevel. but I must say it is really growing on me, tone and feel. I like it enough that I’ll be ordering a couple different Hawk picks soon! :mandosmiley:

[UsuallyPickin]

Hmmm ... I tend to stay away from casein picks. I like the picks I have tried from Red Bear but for me in time the material breaks down and shatters. They have great tone while they last though. C'est la Vie.

[Zach Wilson]

I'm not sure that Hawk Picks are made of casein. There website says they use "old world plastic".... Not sure what that is either. Maybe it's recycled materials from yesteryear.

I like that you can get a purple pick though.

https://hawkpicks.co.uk

[Edit] while reading the pick care section of their website it certainly sounds like they're made of casein but never says those exact words.... hmmm?

[V70416]

Picks,gaaa! If you don't try them all how do you know you've found your pick!? It's the same with electronic tuners.
The hawk looks pretty nice.
I have played a bunch of Wegens in different thicknesses;they are very good,and durable.

Same with Blue Chips;but,a nicely broken-in and smoothed Red Bear(E-style),extra-heavy,is the closest I have ever come to "plectral perfection".

I have two Red Bears that are at least 10 years old. One went through the washing machine and had to be reshaped and smoothed but both are still pretty good. They do take extra care and maintenance. I do not loan them out.

Just got a new Red Bear,E-style heavy. The speed bevels don't appear to be as dramatic as I remember my old ones being when new(I really like the old ones). Maybe some reshaping and lots of picking will help. (Two more extra-heavy Red Bears are on their way!)

God help me,now I feel like I have to try the Gypsy-jazz thicknessed Red Bear. It's a sickness.

[Kalasinar]

The Hawk SB pick is definitely a nice pick. It’s among my favourites which I rotate according to what sound I’m going for!

[UsuallyPickin]

Z.W. this is under the About Us tab ...... So we found a man made material that would perform in the same way, but not be harmful to any animals. It’s called Casein or Erinoid in the UK. This old world plastic was invented to replace tortoise shell, and it has the same warm organic tone, combined with low string friction, allowing the pick to literally glide over the strings. Perfect for guitar and mandolin! R/

[Zach Wilson]

Z.W. this is under the About Us tab ...... So we found a man made material that would perform in the same way, but not be harmful to any animals. It’s called Casein or Erinoid in the UK. This old world plastic was invented to replace tortoise shell, and it has the same warm organic tone, combined with low string friction, allowing the pick to literally glide over the strings. Perfect for guitar and mandolin! R/

Thanks!

[UsuallyPickin]

10-4 Sir you are welcome R/

[Jesse Kinman]

Alas, but it was just a fad, ha!
I still use the Hawk SB on occasion, it sounds much better on my mandolin than it does my guitar. I think I was relying on it too much for volume on my old guitar, it definitely is a louder pick, but since getting my Huss and Dalton guitar I’m not needing more volume, and the Bluechip just sounds so much better, both the TAD1R 50 and the CT55. Nothing else can compete with the Bluechip in my mind, for tone and feel, the Primetones are much better than standard picks, but they just ain’t the same. I’m getting back to where I use the Bluechips on both mandolin and guitar, unless I’m playing with my band, then I use the Hawk on the mandolin for the extra cut and volume. I think mine is not exactly the same as the Hawk SB in the #2 sampler, so maybe that is why I don’t seem to like it as much now.
Just thought I’d give an update since I prematurely announced that the Hawk was my favorite :disbelief:

[Jeff Budz]

Hawks are pretty nice but nothing for me beats a Primetone. Not even a blue chip.

[yankees1]

Hawks are pretty nice but nothing for me beats a Primetone. Not even a blue chip. Have you had your ears tested lately ? :)

[Jeff Budz]

Have you had your ears tested lately ? :)

Yep. Love the Primetones. Just like the blue Chips but a little darker. You tried ‘em?

[KGreene]

Yep. Love the Primetones. Just like the blue Chips but a little darker. You tried ‘em?



I like PT's just fine, and keep several on hand ... but IMHO they're certainly no where near, "Just like the Blue Chips", in terms of wear, tone, glide or slippage.

[yankees1]

Yep. Love the Primetones. Just like the blue Chips but a little darker. You tried ‘em? I do own a Primetone but BC is my go to pick !

[T.D.Nydn]

Casein doesn't do it for me,,still the bc is the best I've used..

[OneChordTrick]

Only thing wrong with my Hawk is that it’s the same colour as the bedspread and carpet in the room where I play so I keep losing it.

But as I chose the colour I need to accept at least some of the blame there

[ccravens]

Only thing wrong with my Hawk is that it’s the same colour as the bedspread and carpet in the room where I play so I keep losing it.

But as I chose the colour I need to accept at least some of the blame there

Keep the pick; change your carpet..

;)

[Murphy Slaw]

Keep the pick; change your carpet..

;)

Yep.

A square foot of carpet is cheaper than a square foot of picks...