To all...thanks for the kind words.
Marcruger......Yes, I can make the pick out of brass or copper. With my own set I don't worry about wallowing out the vent as most of the length of the tapered pick is less than 1/16 inch in diameter. So, unless it is pried far off to one side or the other, it is too small in diameter to do any damage to the vent. The advantage in having it made out of hardened steel is that I use it as an awl even more often than as a vent pick.
Best to all