CORNER PITONS (the long ones) span the range from tips to hands and can be placed in pods or pockets with a few taps of your hammer or in some instances hand placed in a slot or pin scar for upward progress. They also are inexpensive gear to leave as belay anchors on new routes and useful on winter ice, mixed and expedtion climbs - where frozen, wet or grimey cracks are encountered. BABY PITONS (the short ones) are essentially "sawed off" angles that are now required on many routes where previously hammered placements have left square holes. These can be "cammed" or tapped into bottoming cracks or pin scars too..
CORNER and BABY Pitons work by exerting pressure on both sides of the crack after being "forced" into place. The "U" shape and chormolly steel also contribute to the friction, pressure and security of each placement. Do practice "constructive scaring" (hammering upward while cleaning) which will increase the possibility of using a nut or cam on subsequent ascents. Made Italy.