I ony canned pickles once about 30 years ago. I have done the fridge pickles since then. I like then cruncky and you can do small batches. You can even use brine from store bought vlasic pickles and throw some spears in if you are in a hurry.
oops cruncky = crunchy
You are absolutely right on all points. We buy some Spicy Bread and Butter pickles that we are crazy over. We just slice up some baby cukes about 4”-5” long and drop them into the leftover brine. They are much crispier than the bought pickles. I may not ever can pickles again.