6 Cool Guitar Picks + 6 Exotic Materials To Explore

Are you a guitar player that's tired of those same old standard pick shapes? It seems everywhere you look, it's just the same basic shapes, redesigned with different colors, but how many are willing to reinvent the wheel? Here's our list of unique and super cool guitar picks that stand out from the crowd.

This post if for those of you who have tried the basics, and are ready to be venture outside the bounds of tradition into something more unique. We'll also cover some guitar pick basics & other unique guitar pick suggestions .

Not quite ready to try something totally out of the norm?
Maybe check out our list of >top rated guitar picks here<

#1 "Imperator" Guitar Pick

The Imperator is a guitar pick fit for a king. It’s accents are regal and illuminated. The Sword and Laurel emblem gives a firm grip.

Hold it up to the light and you might get lost in the swirly blue marble. It's as glossy as a jolly rancher. Just holding this guitar pick will give you the confidence of a king. Playing with it is that much better & it can be used for both electric & acoustic guitar.

scroll below to see what other guitar players are saying about it

Specs:

32.5*27.5mm
4mm thick

Material:

Blue Pearl Premium Acrylic

Reviews:

“I’ve got multiple models of the imperator, and that’s because of its one of a kind shape/design. The tip is sized perfectly for heavy riffing, and allows for clean lead playing. Will definitely keep getting more.” -JRC/Johnny

“The material of these guitar picks is incredibly slick off the strings. So comfortable to play with.” -Robert H

“... I’m absolutely speechless and blown away by the beauty and quality of this epic pick. The finish and detail are absolutely stunning, I can stare and hold this pick for hours, thus resulting in lots and I mean lots of guitar playing 😁. Then comes the sound or the attack, it’s absolutely crisp and makes the strings sound and ring out beautifully. Honestly, if you haven’t purchased one, then please do and you’ll be blown away the the immaculate craftsmanship of these hand made picks, I will be purchasing more very shortly and probably start collecting these because they are pure art!!!“ Marcin T

 

#2 Pick of Destiny Guitar Pick Replica

 

Not only is this a fully functional guitar pick that produces phenomenal sound, it is also a great conversation starter. It's a relic of the POD. So if you and your friends are fans of the movie, they'll get a huge kick out of it. It glows so bright it can’t be ignored, and we can even drill a hole so you can rock it as a pennant like Jack Black. A must have for collectors and aficionados.

Specs:

32*32*3mm

Material:

Glowing Cast-Acrylic

Reviews:

Love this pick. I love the extra size for grip since I sweat and it plays just as well as my Minerva, nicely beveled tip. Definitely usable and not just for looks. Probably the only pick I will play with from now on since its just so fun.” -Philip B.

“I was a mere mortal until this pick arrived and I picked it up. Now I have surpassed all human accomplishments and continue to excel in the art of shred. Will follow up in 1000 years when im the creator of the universe.” Carlos A.

“As always amazing quality and craftsmanship from Iron Age. This P.O.D has a very bright U.V glow to it, you could see it from across the room. The detail is spot on just like if not better than the replicas and it's actually usable unlike the replicas. Definitely recommend if you can get your hands on one!” -Anthony L.

 

#3 "Blood Reign" Spearhead Guitar Pick

 

Next up on the cool pick list, is the Blood-Reign Spearhead. Beware, you might get cut just looking at it. Reminiscent of a haiku depicting a sword fight in the dead of winter. The false Ivory is the closest to the real thing as you can get. This one is a spin on a classic plectrum made from coconut. It's thin figure is a tool for speed and agility.

Specs:

29*24mm
4mm

Material:

Faux Ivory

Reviews:

“Love the grip and feel of this pick. The added texture from the "blood" makes it even easier to grip and it looks killer. The attack and picking accuracy of this pick is second to none.” -Scott B.

“This seems to be the pick I’ve always been looking for. I already notice a difference in my playing, and even though it’s very thick it is never unwieldy.” -Diogenes S

“The Blood Reign Spearhead plectrum is great — comfortable to hold, doesn't slip or slide in your grip, and produces a clear, ringing attack. Plus, it looks great. C'mon — you know you want one. And buying a fun and classy new plectrum is a great way to satisfy your GAS without blowing the bank!” Lorenzo G

 

#4 "Centurion" UHMWPE Plectrum

 

Tough material meant to last. This pick thin and tough, it can handle anything. This pick creates a resonance so strong, even the back of the crowd will be taken aback.

Specs:

30*25mm
3mm

Material:

Engineering Grade Thermoplastic

Reviews:

Right when I started using the pick I noticed my picking speed and accuracy increased tremendously! I also used to struggle a little with pinch harmonics and now when I use this pick the thickness makes them really easy!”- Guitars B

Musicians spend plenty of time and energy looking for the perfect instrument, yet settle for any plectrum. The Iron Age LFS-Centurion is the premium guitar pick for tone, grip, quality material, & the snazzy logo! Iron Age delivers no matter what plectrum you purchase, yet, let it be noted that the LFS-Centurion is a top tier game changer.”- Chris C

“Love this pick! feels really smooth because of the self-lubricating thermoplastic! for me it feels like it give a little less attack on the string but it makes the playing so smooth that i just cant play with another pick!”- Daniel K

 

#5 "Mjolnir" (Thor's Hammer) Pick

The Mjolnir is the name of the hammer of Thor, which inspired this design. A powerful tool, meant only for the gods! The design of this one of a kind guitar pick is just exquisite and regal.

Specs:

28*36mm
2.5mm Thick

Material:

Cast- Acrylic

Reviews

“I am mostly using Thor’s hammer for vocal accompaniment and lead work on a cedar topped acoustic . . . Wow! I instantly had more volume, brilliance, and still maintained the warm resonance of the instrument. My audience noticed too. Very impressed.” - Edward S
"... This pick is incredible from top to bottom. Beautiful design and craftsmanship. Very comfortable to hold and play with and virtually no pick noise on the strings of my acoustic, which many other heavy picks like this suffer from. The smooth beveled edge makes trem picking a breeze despite the overall thickness. It's gonna be hard to top this pick, and I've tried dozens of boutique picks from all over the internet.” - Caitlin V.
“This pick is fantastic. The shape may seem odd at first, but it really allows you to choke up and get a secure grip, and the extra height helps to anchor it in the hand. The thickness is great - Not too cumbersome, but also thick enough to have a hefty amount of mass behind each pick stroke. The pick also has a surprisingly good amount of grip to it.” - Jordan G.

 

#5 "Megalith" Thick Guitar Pick

This one can also be used as a doorstop. Just kidding. We finish this pick with heavy grit faces that pack a punch behind every note. It features a small indent on the back for your thumb, so you won't have to worry about dropping it. This extra chunky pick offers a great grip and sits comfortable in your hand. Best of all, it is fun to play with!

Specs:

34*29
9mm

Material:

UHMW-PE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene)

Reviews:

“This gigantic monolith of a guitar pick is surprisingly super comfortable to grip and the tone is massive!”- James H.

“Since I received this pick, I've used it on several different tracks both in the studio and for live rehearsal. Let me just say, this is the best purchase I've made in a long time. Especially for something most people overlook, like a pick.”- Josh F

“I love how massively THICC these picks are!! I was surprised to find that the back side of these picks had a nice little scoop for your finger, absolutely enjoy using them! Love the material and the glow these have as well!” Alex I.

Materials & Other Unique Guitar Picks To Explore

When it comes to guitar playing, the right pick can make all the difference in your sound and playing experience.

By stepping away from the traditional plastic or nylon picks, you open yourself up to a realm of possibilities.

Imagine the rich tones of a wooden pick, the edgy metallic sound of a metal pick, or the smoothness of a polished agate stone pick gliding across the strings.

In this journey of discovery, you'll find that the material you choose can significantly impact your playing style and the overall character of your music. 

Here's a few exotic materials to consider & explore:

Bone & Horn

Bone picks offer a warm and balanced tone with emphasis on midrange frequencies, especially when finished with a satin or matte texture. They are fairly durable, provide a secure grip if textured, and offer excellent string articulation.

Horn picks produce an even warmer & smooth tone and can also have the grip enhanced with grip holes, divots, or textures. They add elegance to playing, deliver a softer attack, and create an organic sound. Both picks provide unique tonal characteristics, durability (bone is more durable than horn), reliable grip, and a personalized touch to guitar playing.

Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber is often used in the aerospace industry & exotic supercars. These picks are lightweight, allowing for increased speed & agility during performance.

The stiffness of carbon fiber also provides excellent rigidity & stability at lower thicknesses, resulting in precise string contact and optimal control over playing dynamics.

Moreover, carbon fiber picks offer clarity in tone with a slightly brighter sound.

Many of our customers swear by these types of guitar picks but they do have a drawback you must be aware of. That's that all carbon fiber picks produce carbon dust as they wear down, this depends on how aggressive you play and other factors such as string gauge, and picking angle.

Metal Guitar Picks

 Metal guitar picks offer an edgy & bright tone with durability that is seemingly unmatched.

They're typically very rigid picks & are great at controlling dynamics , allowing you precise articulation.

You can find these in many forms as well, from classy brass picks, to rustic pieces, to coin picks, & more.

Related: How to choose the best guitar picks for metal

Resin Guitar Picks

Resin guitar picks are something of a newer concept which we first delved into by creating the Bifrost pick in 2019.

Resin picks offer an insane amount of possibility from colors, to patterns, textures, shapes - everything!

This material has to be handmade (poured) so it takes some skill to even create the material itself & then it has to be turned into a handcrafted guitar pick.

It's a soft material so probably not best for heavy & aggressive playing but they can be absolutely striking in looks & how they feel.

Related: How resin guitar picks are made

Stone Guitar Picks

 Here's a contender for the most durability when pitted against metal picks. Stone picks do win out in the department of variation & natural beauty.

These picks are available in countless stones such as jaspers, agates, some banded, some with polka dots, some iridescence, and all sorts of crazy variation.

These picks are very durable as mentioned, they also offer great dynamic possibilities & are great for articulating each note just as you like.

One drawback is that you have to be very careful not to drop one on a hard surface, which is their Achilles heel. They are extremely durable & they are not at the same time.

Wooden Guitar Picks

For more natural tones, check out the wide variety of wood guitar picks out there.

We recommend trying wood that's higher on the janka hardness scale for the most durability.

However even softer wood picks offer a unique playing experience & you can get all sorts of sounds & feels from different thickness, finishes, & types of wood.

 Some common ones to try out are maple, birch, rosewood, oak, walnut, or even something like our macassar ebony wood picks.

Related: How we make a wooden guitar pick

Conclusion

If you are looking for a piece of gear that you've never tried before, Iron Age is the best place to be.
We always try to push the boundaries, to offer guitar players something to set them apart and try something new.

Not only that, each pick carries along with it a legacy and a strong character that you can channel in your playing and writing.
So, whether you're looking for a unique gift for a friend, or an addition to your collection, Iron Age makes the cool guitar picks of the modern day.

Which pick is your favorite from the list? Or do you think there's another we should add? Let us know below!

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