My apologies then. :) I did get the impression that you were starting out. As your starting to work on shred, you should definitely remedy your "tied picking hand". You'll need it cause not every pent run is hammer-ons and pull-offs. Recognize that picking each note creates a different sound, or feel from legato. Mastering will take both. With your experience it shouldn't take you but alittle practice to "untie" it, well after you heal.

I've cut my finger on pop cans several times. I have the same habit but I usually cut myself when I rip the tab off. Them bastards hurt too. 'lol'