PIcks are sometimes made from copper, or brass, but any cold roll steel, like that used in coat hangers, is soft enough that you can't get it to "spark". Coat Hangers are soft enough that you can work them when using a propane torch, and a hammer, and the small anvil on the back of a bench vise. That is How I made picks for years. To make them a bit fancy, I would pound them square, and then clamp one end in the vise, and turn or " twist " the other end to form a " candy cane" effect. I would make a loop in the end opposite the point, then burn it back on the shank and heat weld it to the shaft. I have made them round, like a key, and even make a heart shaped one for a woman member of the club. The pointed end is filed round and then tapered. I do not leave a sharp point, as that can be dangerous. I do round the point, but make sure that the pointed end is small enough, and long enough to go through the vent and all the way to the other side of the bore. With a coat hanger being so soft, the filing work doesn't breat a sweat.
Finally, I file a flat on two sides of the "point" so that the pick can serve as a " shovel" and move powder away from the hole I am making with the pick, by just twisting the pick back and forth with my wrist.
