Angled Picks Compared: Which Pick Still Has the Thickest Shaft?

Introduction

A 45-degree double angled pick is one of those tools you rarely use but absolutely need when the moment arrives. That is exactly why many people keep multiples: one in each kit and tool bag, so the pick is always within reach. They are inexpensive, but the good ones earn their place.

Why These Picks Deserve a Closer Look

The starting point for this comparison is the Snap-On 45-degree double angled pick with the hard plastic handle, a long-standing favorite. On a recent replacement purchase, the new shaft looked a little thinner than the older version, so calipers came out.

The measurements tell an interesting story. The older Snap-On hard-handle pick measures about 3.18 mm at the shaft, while the newest one comes in around 3.10 mm, nearly a tenth of a millimeter less. For the diameter of a small tool shaft, that is a meaningful loss of material and strength, and the newer one does feel slightly springier than the older version.

Other Snap-On variants measure in between. An older hard-handle version reads about 3.13 mm, another around 3.19 mm, and the soft larger handle version has the thickest shaft of the smaller-profile picks at roughly 3.6 mm. For context, Snap-On’s larger pry-bar style picks reach 4.73 mm, while the seal pullers sit near 3.14 mm.

PB Swiss Pick

The PB Swiss pick is a genuinely nice tool, and it shows in the details. It is a serialized tool, meaning each unit carries its own serial number, which says a lot about the pride in manufacturing. The handle is a little slippery but otherwise comfortable.

At the shaft, the PB Swiss measures about 3.03 mm, slightly less than the Snap-On picks. In use it feels a little springier, though the shaft taper toward the tip is gradual and controlled.

Mayhew Cats Paw Pick

The Mayhew Cats Paw pick comes close to the Snap-On format but is not quite the same. Where it differs most is in shaft thickness: the Mayhew is actually pretty beefy at 3.6 mm, so it is the strongest of the group on paper.

That thickness shows up in feel too. The Mayhew is noticeably stiff, which you would expect from a shaft this diameter. The trade-off is a lot of narrowing down as the shaft approaches the tip, so the tip work is finer even though the base is thick.

Craftsman Pick

The Craftsman pick measures about 3.03 mm at the shaft, essentially identical to the PB Swiss. Both are a little less in diameter than the Snap-On versions, but PB Swiss and Craftsman match each other almost exactly.

In use, the Craftsman feels pretty stiff, and part of that comes from a fairly short shaft. Less leverage means less visible flex, which some people will prefer for precise scraping and prying on seals and gaskets.

Overall Buying Advice

If you want the thickest, most rigid smaller-profile shaft, the Mayhew is the standout at 3.6 mm. If you value craftsmanship details like a serialized tool, the PB Swiss is an easy choice, with the caveat of a slightly thinner and springier shaft. The Craftsman matches PB Swiss on thickness and feels stiffer thanks to its short shaft.

As for Snap-On, the newest hard-handle version is the thinnest of that lineup at around 3.10 mm, while older versions ran thicker. Buying a spare in the older style, or checking the shaft diameter on arrival, is a reasonable way to make sure you get the version you actually like.

Conclusion

These picks are all inexpensive and handy, and any of them will do the job. But the calipers show real differences: Mayhew for stiffness and thickness, PB Swiss for finish and serialization, Craftsman for a stiff short shaft at the same thickness, and Snap-On for a proven design, ideally in one of the older, slightly thicker variants.