[2026-02-02] · Picks — Crusader UHMWPE Plectrum
Change: Standardized the Crusader’s dimensions to 31 mm × 24 mm going forward, matching the size used on the 2025 "Crusader MMXXV" limited edition. Earlier “regular” Crusaders were 33.5 mm × 25.5 mm and are no longer being produced at that larger size.
Why: Feedback on the original Crusader mentioned it feeling a bit long and slightly awkward for certain techniques, especially pinch harmonics. The MMXXV run confirmed that a more compact footprint keeps the same silhouette while feeling closer to a “normal” pick in hand, which suits the performance-focused intent of this UHMWPE model better.
Impact: New Crusader batches will be a bit shorter and narrower, closer to the MMXXV size, while keeping the same overall shape and build. Players can expect handling to feel more controlled and familiar, with no change to material, thickness, or bevel style.
What Changed, When, and Why
Updated as new batches ship and clear QC.
This page logs buyer-visible changes to specs, finishing, fitment, materials, and policy. It’s mainly here so you can see what has been refined over time. I note changes that affect how a piece looks, feels, fits, wears, or is supported.
Each entry has three parts:
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Change — what I adjusted
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Why — the reason
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Impact — what you might notice
Entries are grouped by product category and listed in reverse-chronological order. Dates are your main reference: if your order went out after a date, that change likely applies to your piece.
Guitar Picks
This covers spec, material, and engraving changes to in-house Iron Age guitar picks.
[2026-01-02] · Picks — Crystal Spearhead (Green Variant)
Change: Swapped the original green acrylic (no longer available) for a new batch in a slightly more blue-green tone, and reduced logo size by about 10% to match the other Spearhead models.
Why: The previous acrylic source was discontinued, and this new material is the closest match in look while keeping quality consistent. The smaller logo keeps the Spearhead line visually unified and helps reduce polish collecting in the engravings, which can soften or round the logo over time.
Impact: New Crystal Spearhead (green) picks will appear a bit more blue-green than earlier runs, with a slightly smaller, cleaner logo on the face. Thickness, edge profile, and overall feel in use remain the same.
Guitar Knobs
This covers spec and supply changes to Iron Age guitar knobs, including bases and tops.
Guitar Killswitches
This covers wiring, LED options, and supply changes to Iron Age guitar killswitches and pre-wired harnesses.
Policy & Packaging
Change: Updated the general business cards included with all orders and rewrote the copy on the killswitch product cards that ship with each switch. Design on the business cards was lightly tweaked; the killswitch cards now use calmer, more direct language and list the current support contact instead of the older email.
Why: The older killswitch copy leaned too much into “2016 YouTube hype” and didn’t match the tone of the rest of the brand or the way I talk about the products now. This refresh brings the messaging in line with the current site and makes sure customers are pointed to the correct support channel.
Impact: Every order still receives a business card, just with slightly updated styling. Killswitch buyers will get clearer, more grounded benefits and accurate contact info on the pack-in card, which should make it easier to understand what the switch is for and where to go if questions come up.
Matching Your Order to These Changes
Use your order date and the approximate ship date as a guide. If your order went out after a listed date, that change most likely applies to what you received. If it shipped before, it probably does not.
If you’re close to a change date and not sure, or your item doesn’t match the spec you expected based on what you see here, reach out through the contact page and I’ll help you sort it out.
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Alex Rodea
Author
Alex is a former U.S. Marine avionics technician turned founder of Iron Age Guitar Accessories, a one-man shop building boutique picks, knobs, and kill-switches since 2015. He applies systems thinking, precision machining, and insights from thousands of shipped orders and customer reviews to write practical guides on tone, materials, and design for serious players.