About Picker’s Folly

Picker's Folly is a wild little lark of a thing I'm trying.

I spend a lot of my free time playing bluegrass and old-time music, and I got hooked on all the little things that surround it.

Not just instruments. Picks. Straps. Capos. Cases. Armrests. The stuff that isn't necessary to the music, but feels good, looks good, and makes playing more fun.

One of my favorite things about this world is how many small businesses exist simply because somebody wanted to make one thing really well — people who disappeared into a workshop because they thought something could be a little better. They made me enjoy playing a little more.

Picker's Folly is my attempt to contribute one of those little things.

Do you need a fancy, handmade leather case for your collection of fancy picks? No. But it's nicer than a ziplock bag or an Altoids tin.

I make these after work in my Chicago apartment, in small runs, when I have the time. I've spent an unreasonable amount of time dialing in the design, trying leathers, and — frankly — learning how to make these things efficiently.

I'm not the best picker in the circle. But I might be able to make the best pick case.

Benjamin Friedrich

Owner / Operator

Benjamin, the maker behind Picker's Folly, holding a chicken

It’s Just Me

Made by hand, in small runs of a few at a time. Slight variation from case to case is part of the fun. I have a full-time job and keep busy, so your patience with shipping and stock and communication is much appreciated.

Email Me

Send any questions direct.

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Questions

What picks does it fit?
It's built for the big, heavy flat-picks — Bluechip, Token, Tone Slab, Wegen, Golden Gate, and traditional tortoiseshell. Mostly triangle picks. It holds eight.
How big is it?
About 3¼ inches square — pocket- and gig-bag-friendly.
Do you sell outside the United States?
At this point the store is just set up for US customers. If you're international and really want to get your hands on a case, email or DM me anyway and I'll look into it and see if I can make it work. No promises, but will see what I can do.
How long until it ships?
These are made by one person in small runs, so this isn't a slick, ships-in-an-hour operation. When a case is in stock it ships reasonably quickly; when a batch sells out, the next one takes as long as it takes. Patience is part of the deal — and part of the point.
What if it's sold out?
I make these in small batches, a handful at a time. Join the list and I'll send a note when the next run is ready — that's all the list is for.
How do I care for it?
Wipe it down with a dry or barely-damp rag and skip the soap. Past that it depends on the leather — a waxed chrome-tan and a vegetable-tanned bridle want different things, and some of these are easy to over-condition. Each product page has care notes for that specific hide.
What leather is it?
Full-grain hides, chosen a colorway at a time — Horween Chromexcel, Newbury, Wickett & Craig bridle. The details are on each product page.