Do most players bend their finger picks or leave them straight?
I think most do bend them to some extent. I have seen a few who play them straight. Also, they can be twisted on the finger tip to allow for a cleaner, (more solid), pick attack. As with a lot of things banjo, it really is personal and learning what works for yourself if just a part of learning to play.
Bobby
The purpose of a finger pick is not to add an additional appendage to the end of your finger. The purpose is to add a hard, metal surface to the tip of your finger, so that when you pick the string, you get the desired, metallic "twang" sound of the banjo. Bend the blade to fit the contour of the tip of your finger. Below is a photo of the way Scruggs did it.
It's very much a question of personal taste. I know players who use them just as they come (including myself), some who bend them to cover their fingertips, and some who bend them to extend BEYOND their fingertips. It doesn't matter what other people do - what matters is what gives you the sound and feel you want.
.... probably connected in some way, but more important than the sound/feel you want ^^ is to get ones that hit the correct strings!! 
I'll also chime in and say in my case it was an evolution - and I guess still is. I never just hit the "magic" zone - I bent them, played a while, tried something a bit different. I remember an early video with Tony Trischka - he had his picks sticking a good ONE INCH from his fingers . . . but on the more recent videos he seems to have gone away from that.
quote:
Originally posted by vbegliDo most players bend their finger picks or leave them straight?
Depends on the picks. For example Sammy Shelor and Pro Piks Stainless Steel picks don't need shaping
I haven’t seen anyone in the wild with straight or almost straight picks, but I know they are out there.
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