SouthOrd Jacknife Pick Review

[pointofview]

My friend just got his Southord Jacknife set in the mail (JPXS-6), and mine is still in the mail, but now that I've used his, I'm going to have to get a better kit.

First, there's no auto-locking mechanism when you select the pick you want to use, only a thumbscrew, and it's very difficult to get it to keep the pick in position while you do your work. It WILL get loose.

Second, like everyone else has said, you can't feel anything through the pick. All you can feel is the tension wrench.

To its credit, it is a neat little gadget, and anyone looking at it would not guess it was a pickset. All around, I'd say your money would be better spent on the 14 peice set.

[Eagerpicker]

Interesting.

Whereas I would agree that the Jackknife is not the thing to buy for serious (practice) picking, I do think it is a great addition and very easy to carry around; more so than having one more item in your coat pocket, such as Real Cowhide Snapover Luggage Quality Cases, as they're advertised everywhere. I have had several excellent experiences picking 'in the field' (padlocks, a hotel safe or strong box kind of thing even) with the Jackknife. Easily attached to your keyring, and I have had no problems whatever with fastening the selected pick in the handle. Perhaps it's a matter of wear and tear? I hope to use it for years to come!

[pointofview]

I agree that picks don't come any more portable than the Jacknife set, and that makes it pretty handy. I was referring more to the practicality of the set with respect to other comparably-priced sets when it comes to picking.

Though I totally agree, you've gotta love the portability factor.

[Mister Hobbs]

I have the SouthOrd Jackknife Pick Set, I also have something that is substantially better.

Is it possible to upload pictures to this site?

[Varjeal]

Mister Hobbs: I'm not to sure of the protocol in regards to uploading pics. Try p.m.ing Mr Picks (the site admin) for more information on that.

[maagop]

I also have something that is substantially better.

Ok Mister Hobbs, please don't keep us waiting anymore! What kind of tool are you talking about?

Also I have an idea to "tune up" Southord's Picknife. Is it possible to modify picks, so that you can remove them when needed for picking? I mean something like this Leatherman mod: http://www.equipped.com/alterpst.htm

[Sebastian]

I´ve got the Jackknife too!
But my problem is, that the half diamond isn´t totally fixed when i try to pick a lock.

I usually use the Jackknife to pick small locks. All in all (can i say so???) it´s a practically tool but not suitable for professional lockpicking.

[Chubby]

Some of you may be interested to find that there has already been other comments made about the Southord jacknife in this earlier thread http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=359&highlight=

[scampdog]

i've got a southord jacknife pick apart from all my usual picks,but i have added some homemade picks to make it more usefull

as you can see,ive added a rake, larger diamond,broken key extractor, and i've cut the hook down to a more workeable size

[parapilot]

I learnt to pick with a SO jackknife. Overall its a good piece of kit for what its designed for. The screw does come loose very fast, bad design. I keep it on my key ring and its come in useful loads of times.

But for picking at home you need picks, they give you a lot more feedback, and more strength.

As for not looking like picks, i have shown it to a few friends who are police officers, and asked for comments. Once they established it was not a knife they said it wouldn't bother them.

J

[cL4y]

hmm.

Well it doesn't sound like you are over eggsadurating.(i dont know how to spell it)

So i guess "overnight sucsess" doesn't really cut the cheese,yeah,id rather get a set,rather than a pocketknife.

[Buzzzy]

Here is a thread about jacknife sets.

Regards
buddy


viewtopic.php?t=9973&start=0

[TAMUmpower]

I have this same set. Given, it was a gift. I dont believe I would have bought it myself. Everyone is right about the thumb screw coming loose, this is very annoying and makes continued picking past about 15 seconds difficult.

I keep it in my motorcycle for picking emergencies.

[djslacker]

I have had the SouthOrd "Jackknife Lock Pick Set" for over a year now and I carry it with me pretty much everywhere. I love it. I have used it on everything from a padlock to a standard cylinder lock with around a 80% success rate. Granted there are times that I would rather have a full pick set, but I'm just saying that I seem to have had better success with it than others on the forum. So far, there are only two things that I would change. I would like to add a sawtooth pick just for an option and adding a twist flex tension tool. Other than that, I am happy with the tool the way that SouthOrd designed it.

[guest5999]

Thus far, the only picks I've purchased have been SO jackknifes. I originally bought the plastic version which eventually crack from pressure under the thumb screw. I've since bought the stainless model and always keep it on my keychain and I love it.

I've modified the order of the picks to make my short hook and rake easier to access. Also, because I had the broken the one as well, i cut down one of the hooks so that i now have 2 hooks of different lengths, the snake rake, half diamond, and half circle.

I've used this pick on various occasions when I've needed to let myself or others into houses or, as in one case, unlock myself from a steel cage. i'm satisified enough with it that I bought I'll ever buy another full set of picks. I'd rather make or buy individually any special picks for anything this little guy can't handle.