Reddit reviews Channellock HP-4A 4 Piece Hook and Pick Set with Durable Acetate Handles | Useful as Gunsmith Tools and for Removing Small Fuses, Wire plugs and "O" rings | Heat Treated Alloy Steel Blades for Extended Tool Life | Made in the USA

yeah. i think you're right, i need to get the plastic out. It's annoyingly tough in all the wrong ways so dental pick maybe would be too weak, but i found these that will probably help. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RMR1X82/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Maybe i need to exercise a bit more care and patience with this job...take the week before my nut extractors arrive to make sure all the crap is out of the threads and i can get a good bite on the nut before i try again.

An inexpensive Tekton set would be better than the HF ones:
https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-6943-Precision-Pick-4-Piece/dp/B000NPPBQK

or like already mentioned, Channellock made in usa:
https://www.amazon.com/Channellock-HP-4A-Coated-Acetate-Handle/dp/B00RMR1X82/

or Craftsman:
https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Hook-Pick-Cushioned-Handles/dp/B001OIMXYI/

I like the handles on the Gearwrench:
https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-84000D-Hook-Pick-Set/dp/B002EYI19M
made in Taiwan, tho.

If im buying a tool that I'm only going to use every now and again, ill buy a cheapo version and if I use it enough that it breaks, I will then buy a quality version.

So today my most used hook from my cheapo set of picks n hooks finally bit the dust. The steel rod has lost its grip on the inside of the plastic handle. Anyone know of a brand that crimps the steel inside the handle to avoid this issue? Ive been eyeing this set by Channellock since I love their pliers so much. Unless of course y'all have some other suggestions.

This is one of them [Channellock] (https://www.amazon.com/Channellock-HP-4A-Coated-Acetate-Handle/dp/B00RMR1X82/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518126045&sr=8-1&keywords=channellock+pick)