Mafia ritual implements lack standardization across families

Evidence

I must also clarify that to prick the index finger of the subject certain families use the thorn of the bitter-orange tree, while others always use the same large needle, like, for example, the family of Riesi, whose rappresentante kept a golden needle specifically for these ceremonies. In Catania we did not have anything of the sort but just used any needle. — Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Business of…, 733