When you just want to rock out there is nothing more annoying when you discover that you can't find any plectrums lying about. I have resorted to trying coins and tiddly winks but they just don't work (they're the wrong shape and feel odd). This led me to discover the Pickmaster.

This crazy gadget is simply a hole punch. You use old credit, debit or phone cards and use the Pickmaster to cut out a plectrum. With plectrums costing around 50p - £1 you soon make you money back on the device.

I bought it from Firebox.com for £20 which I thought was a lot. But after owning for over a year I have certainly made my money back and made great use out of my old cards.

The Pickmaster is around 15 cms long and 5 cm wide. I find it too big to carry in my pocket so leave it in my guitar bag. It is made from a thick stainless steel and is very sturdy. It has a shiny metallic look and looks like a bottle opener. When cutting out a plectrum it will usually do it with minimal effort. Although the longer I have owned it the more often I find myself cutting of excess parts with scissors (it needs a sharpen).

If I have an expired card or a free shopping card I always make good use of them with the Pickmaster. I never now find myself searching aimlessly to enable myself to rock out. Although it is not as sharp as it once was it still works for me. It has saved me money in the long run and makes my sporadic attempts of playing the guitar so much easier.