Anthony S - Posted - 01/14/2026:  20:24:28

hi, I found a guy on line who made what I think are called “frailing picks” for banjo, for Clawhammer, couple years ago. Bought one. Want to buy/inquire more now. But can’t remember who he was, what his name was, whether he had a business name, etc. not regular banjo (or guitar) picks, but for frailing, Clawhammer style only.



If anybody knows what I’m talking about or can lead me in the right direction, I would appreciate it…



(Not the Fred Kelly, not the propik, not the cling pro picks.)



The maker was a banjo player, played an old style, had some metal press and he made these “frailing picks” that kind of looked like thimbles. I don’t think he made too many and he wasn’t really interested in making a lot; he had a day job. But somehow I found out about him, bought one or two from him and now I can’t remember who he was. And I want to buy some more.



If anyone thinks they can steer me in the right direction I would appreciate it.



Going to upload a photo of the one I have.

Edited by - Anthony S on 01/14/2026 20:41:48

 

banjomobob - Posted - 01/14/2026:  20:32:52

banjothimble.com/banjo-thimbles

Anthony S - Posted - 01/14/2026:  20:40:49

THAT’S IT! NOW I REMEMBER. HOOKS!

MUCH APPRECIATED. CLOSING OR RESOLVING THIS POST.

Mickhammer - Posted - 01/14/2026:  23:23:52

Are you allowed to do that?

Anyhoo, does anyone know if Mr. Hooks ships internationally? When I go to the checkout on his site, it doesn't say anything about shipping costs.

CrazyCatLazy - Posted - 01/15/2026:  00:20:07

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mickhammer

Are you allowed to do that?



Anyhoo, does anyone know if Mr. Hooks ships internationally? When I go to the checkout on his site, it doesn't say anything about shipping costs.

---

"Standard international" appears to be $23

lucas73b - Posted - 01/15/2026:  03:57:20

Mine were quickly delivered to the Netherlands, I don't remember the shipping cost. I suggest you contact Joel Hooks directly for questions about ordering. He is an active Hangout member.

Joel Hooks - Posted - 01/15/2026:  06:16:45

I try to avoid self promotion on BHO, I find it distasteful and a bit spammy.

I've been making these banjo thimbles since June of 2010 and have shipped thousands all over the world.

I'm currently running behind due to a conflict with paypal. Evidently they allowed (through what I am guessing was a data leak) someone to add themselves as a user on my account. Then that user (from China, which is not even permitted per Paypal) started moving money from my bank. Since I check my account every day, I spotted this and immediately changed my password.

The strange thing is, I use the two step password app that apple provides, so I am not sure how the Chinese person was able to get in as it is a constantly changing 6 number code. Which is why I think Paypal had a problem they are not admitting.

I hope to have it sorted out by the end of this week.

writerrad - Posted - 01/15/2026:  08:40:56

Without any commercial inducement (of course open to any kind of petty bribery or flattery) I can say I have owned one of Joel's banjo thimbles for 15 years.  I just put one on to type with.  It certainly is a historical solution to the problem.   They are quite usable and do not seem as odd as some of the other pics.  

They were NOT restricted to parlor or performance or minstrel players.  My own research is that old time banjoists who survived into the late 20th century used them.  One of my favorite Black Banjoists Rufus Kasey of Virginia (1917-2004) who is well represented in the Black Banjo recordings Cece Conway produced and in the Digital Library of Appalachia said he always used  a banjo thimble until he lent his to someone who moved away.  He was surprised that music stores no longer sold them. 

In the 19th Century thimbles were so widely used that what is now called down picking or claw hammer was popularly called "thimble playing."  

There are other solutions such as acrylic nails which I find viable but only after I retired from working.  However, a true banjo thimble is as completely a traditional approach as you can get.    It seems to work quite well

.  I typed this all wearing the thimble Joel produces out of the goodness of his heart.   I really admire how much he gives to the rest of us in the banjo world,  even though I know no good deed goes unpunished! 

Thanks Joel!

Edited by - writerrad on 01/15/2026 08:42:53

dpgetman - Posted - 01/15/2026:  13:30:05

I bought a set of thimbles from Mr. Hooks many years ago and played with them regularly until my wife found them, put them on like a pair of rings and basically claimed them as jewelry. So I ordered another pair and my niece, who had admired them on my wife's hand, asked my wife to steal them for her, which she did.

Valentine's Day is a-comin, just sayin.

Mickhammer - Posted - 01/15/2026:  14:55:51

I've been using a Fred Kelly Freedom Pick for the last few days and I find it very natural to play with it. I'm using the Delrin version. I have a polycarbonate pick too but I don't like it as much. Next time I come back to the States, I'll put in an order for the thimbles. Might not be for a couple-three years though.

pinenut - Posted - 01/15/2026:  15:05:02

quote:

---

Originally posted by writerrad

Without any commercial inducement (of course open to any kind of petty bribery or flattery) I can say I have owned one of Joel's banjo thimbles for 15 years.  I just put one on to type with.  It certainly is a historical solution to the problem.   They are quite usable and do not seem as odd as some of the other pics.  

They were NOT restricted to parlor or performance or minstrel players.  My own research is that old time banjoists who survived into the late 20th century used them.  One of my favorite Black Banjoists Rufus Kasey of Virginia (1917-2004) who is well represented in the Black Banjo recordings Cece Conway produced and in the Digital Library of Appalachia said he always used  a banjo thimble until he lent his to someone who moved away.  He was surprised that music stores no longer sold them. 

In the 19th Century thimbles were so widely used that what is now called down picking or claw hammer was popularly called "thimble playing."  

There are other solutions such as acrylic nails which I find viable but only after I retired from working.  However, a true banjo thimble is as completely a traditional approach as you can get.    It seems to work quite well

.  I typed this all wearing the thimble Joel produces out of the goodness of his heart.   I really admire how much he gives to the rest of us in the banjo world,  even though I know no good deed goes unpunished! 

Thanks Joel!

---

There are lots of tools in the world that can be used to do a given job; Joel's thimbles are the 'right' tool. 

Thank you Joel.

CrazyCatLazy - Posted - 01/16/2026:  05:32:06

quote:

---

Originally posted by Joel Hooks

I try to avoid self promotion on BHO, I find it distasteful and a bit spammy.



I've been making these banjo thimbles since June of 2010 and have shipped thousands all over the world.



I'm currently running behind due to a conflict with paypal. Evidently they allowed (through what I am guessing was a data leak) someone to add themselves as a user on my account. Then that user (from China, which is not even permitted per Paypal) started moving money from my bank. Since I check my account every day, I spotted this and immediately changed my password.



The strange thing is, I use the two step password app that apple provides, so I am not sure how the Chinese person was able to get in as it is a constantly changing 6 number code. Which is why I think Paypal had a problem they are not admitting.



I hope to have it sorted out by the end of this week.

---

Site appears to still be taking orders and payments- can folk place an order now and you'll post when things are sorted?

Thanks

Joel Hooks - Posted - 01/16/2026:  05:35:21

quote:

---

Originally posted by CrazyCatLazy

quote:

---

Originally posted by Joel Hooks

I try to avoid self promotion on BHO, I find it distasteful and a bit spammy.



I've been making these banjo thimbles since June of 2010 and have shipped thousands all over the world.



I'm currently running behind due to a conflict with paypal. Evidently they allowed (through what I am guessing was a data leak) someone to add themselves as a user on my account. Then that user (from China, which is not even permitted per Paypal) started moving money from my bank. Since I check my account every day, I spotted this and immediately changed my password.



The strange thing is, I use the two step password app that apple provides, so I am not sure how the Chinese person was able to get in as it is a constantly changing 6 number code. Which is why I think Paypal had a problem they are not admitting.



I hope to have it sorted out by the end of this week.

---

Site appears to still be taking orders and payments- can folk place an order now and you'll post when things are sorted?

Thanks

---

Absolutly!