Jake’s Hammer

Jake’s Hammer picks are handcrafted from water buffalo horn and built for players who want feel, tone, and a strong connection to the strings. Made alongside Chris Cockrum of Cockrumstudios.com, these picks are shaped with care and built for serious players. At 2mm thick, they offer a great balance of warmth, punch, clarity, and control. They bring out hidden tones in a guitar while still giving bluegrass players the attack and power they want. Smooth on the strings and secure in the hand, these picks are made to feel as good as they sound.

The Process

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It starts as blocks

Every Jake’s Hammer pick begins as a block of water buffalo horn. This material is chosen for its strength, natural feel, and tonal character. Before it ever becomes a pick, it starts as a solid piece of raw material with the potential to become something special in the hands of a player.

Cut into blanks

The water buffalo horn is first cut into blanks, creating the starting pieces for each pick. This step helps establish a consistent size and shape before the material moves on to the next stage.

Loaded into the CNC machine

Once the blanks are prepared, they are loaded into the CNC machine. From there, each piece is machined with precision as it moves closer to its final form.

The logo is added

As part of the process, the Jake’s Hammer logo is added to each pick. This gives every one its own identity and marks it as part of the finished line.

Hand beveling and polish

After machining, each pick is hand beveled, polished, and tested by Jake McCandles. This is where the pick is refined for smooth string contact, feel, and tone.

The finished product

The final result is a finished Jake’s Hammer pick that is smooth, durable, and built for serious playing. Each one is made to deliver warm, balanced tone, increased volume, a nice grip in the hand, and great string release. The goal is a pick that feels secure, plays clean, and helps bring out the best in not only the player, but also the instrument.