Hey, I need a little help if at all possible!

[aparcae]

I'm looking to buy a lock pick set but when reading the descriptions realized that different countries have different locks. So which of these three:

http://www.lockpickshop.com/C1510.html
http://www.lockpickshop.com/PXS-14.html
http://www.lockpickshop.com/MPXS-14.html

Is best for a beginner in Australia?

Also, which is the easiest kind of lock to pick, and which is the most informative book, not online guide, for an Australian beginner to pick up the basics fairly easily?

[MarkMcGrath]

I think the C1510 would be the choice. I have picked a lot of knock off ABUS locks which will probably be the standard style lock in Australia. Slim line is where it is at for ease of function in the tighter locks. With that said..... if you are beginning you are torque, twist and damage your picks far easier with that set. The MPXS-14 will still work and might be a better choice.

I wouldn't recommend the PXS-14 set as you won't get as much feel back wit the grips they have on them. I am torn honestly. I think the MPXS-14 would be best, and if you had the cash get the C1510 later, or buy some single slim line hooks along with the MPXS-14. My uneducated 2 cents.

[MarkMcGrath]

You would be better off actually getting two small sets, like a 5-6 tool standard set, and then a euro simline like the one linked. You don't need most of the picks in the one you choose.

http://www.lockpickshop.com/C801.html

[lunchb0x]

I use the 15pc set and have been for many years now, I never use my standard picks as the slimline give much better feed back and can move around more in the lock. Where in Australia are you? Soon I might have a heap of cylinders to get rid of that I have been hoarding for a while, a mixbe between Lockwod 530's, 570's, Whitco screen door cylinders and a handful of other stuff, these would be good to practice with, I can even key them how ever needed.

[edsmiley]

Welcome Aparcae,

You will most likely get many varying opinions about lockpicks anywhere you ask. The guys above have given some great advice, but it gets down to what you like. I am sure that you will find people who love and hate each set you posted. My suggestion would be to get some single picks, standard and slim, and give them a shot. Then when you get some practice and learn what the feedback should feel like, then you can buy a larger set.

Cheers,
Ed

[cyrano138]

You would be better off actually getting two small sets, like a 5-6 tool standard set, and then a euro simline like the one linked. You don't need most of the picks in the one you choose.

http://www.lockpickshop.com/C801.html

I half agree with this advice. I'm only a beginner myself, but I think if you got the 1510 or the 801 and just added a standard hook (for locks that require heavy tension for any reason like gunk or corrosion), a bogota of some kind (from the southern spec's inexpensive version--which I prefer--all the way up through the primo titanium ones), and your own mix of tensioners OR a peterson pry bar.

Like someone else said, you'll get lots of different opinions about these, but if they have anything in common it's this: go smaller. Get the smallest set you can live with and add to it if you need to. I only use one of two hooks and a pry bar for 99% of the locks I'm trying to pick. If I'm messing around with rakes or anything else, it's just for fun, or maybe using a half diamond to pick a dimple lock.

[smhatter]

As far as a book, Deviant Ollam's "Practical Lock Picking" is very good. I don't think I am supposed to link to shops, but the ISBN is 1597496111, you should be able to find it from that at pretty much any large bookstore (or order it from them at least).

[aparcae]

Thank you all so much for being so helpful!

What's the difference in getting two smaller sets in comparison to one set of fifteen lockpicks? How many of the lock picks are absolutely necessary in a set? How many lockpicks do people usually have in a set?

I can't wait to start, already ordered the book. Also, am in Sydney.

[Darkness1569]

What's the difference in getting two smaller sets in comparison to one set of fifteen lockpicks? How many of the lock picks are absolutely necessary in a set? How many lockpicks do people usually have in a set?

When I started a couple of months ago, I bought a the Southord C1500 slim line set and the Southord PXS-14 and out of all of those picks I find myself only using the short hooks out of both sets for 90% of my locks, I use the medium hook 8% of the time and the slim line half-diamond for my dimple lock. If I am picking a wafer lock then I will use the half ball. If I am having a really bad day I will hang my head in shame and I will pull out the S shaped rake, just to prove that the lock will open.
I did buy extra tension wrenches though because I didn’t like the ones that it came with after I started moving up from master 3's to my Brinks, Kwikset and Schlage lock.
So I have a lock of picks that never see the light of day.
Hopes this helps you. Enjoy.

[MarkMcGrath]

The reality is most locks will open by a half dimond pick, various hooks, and a good rake if possible. Any of the pros teaching lockpicking, most guys race picking generally have 3-4 picks. Thats all you really need for nearly anything, and some like the double ball picks etc aren't to effective unless you are doing specific things you probably wont encounter very often if at all.

Rake - speed entry into most simple locks/start picking process with a chance to get some bonus pins right away.
Half Dimond - picking narrow areas, or doing a semi rake pick (most beginners love this pick and it is a great learner)
Hook(various) - One of the best picks to actually single pin pick locks, various sizes work wonders on various keyways.

Anything past that is useless. For you being in AUS I believe you have a mix of lock keyways. Normal picks wont bend or break easily (see manual section on guys messing up picks) and the slim lines will be easier to use once you get a handle on what you are doing.

[atticRR]

in retrospect i wish i would have purchased a slimline set, although i did manage to put a slight bend in my half diamond early on. I have since made a few picks that conform more to the slimline pattern....