Sea shell picks

[JLed79]

So while at the beach for vacation this week, my eldest son decided to find some sea shell shards for me to use as guitar picks. Definitely a different sound using them compared to my gravity pick, not bad just different.
Anyone else ever use sea shells?

[Dru Edwards]

Hey JLed, did you sand down the edges at all? I have lots of sea shells at my parent's but I've never tried it.

[JLed79]

Hey Dru,
I haven't had a chance to sand any of them down yet. I only messed around with one so far and it was pretty well eroded on the edges already. When I get home I plan on sanding them down and seeing what I can get out of them.

[Diamond Dave]

Huh. I happen to have a little MOP oyster shell on my desk and just tried it. A little rough, but with some filing, it could work.

[Earl49]

Just a caution -- use a dust mask when sanding shell. The dust is not good for your lungs. Not sure about shell, but pearl and abalone dust can be bad news.

[JLed79]

Good to know Earl. Thanks for the heads up!

[bentay]

I tried. They aren't nearly strong enough - the strings chew into them within minutes, and you're left with dusty strings and a dull pick.

[Diamond Dave]

Originally Posted by bentay

I tried. They aren't nearly strong enough - the strings chew into them within minutes, and you're left with dusty strings and a dull pick.

You've just named my next album. Thank you!

[Bingoccc]

My driveway has a crushed sea shell surface. I tried it as a pick once or twice. I too, found them crumbly and dusty. I never did try sanding one down though. That would certainly improve it.

[Dru Edwards]

Bentay wrote:

Originally Posted by bentay

I tried. They aren't nearly strong enough - the strings chew into them within minutes, and you're left with dusty strings and a dull pick.

Dave replied:

Originally Posted by Diamond Dave

You've just named my next album. Thank you!

I like it!!! That would make a great song title for the album too.