FPS -7 Folding Pocket Pickset Review

by **Bud Wiser** » 9 Sep 2006 16:20

I recently ordered a folding pocket pick set from Southern Specialties, the FPS-7, found here,
http://www.lockpicktools.com/lockpicks.htm

I was definitely looking forward to getting this as it is suppose to be of higher quality compared to other jack knife style pick sets.

I got mine yesterday and have been playing with it since. Thought some may be interested in a user review of this folding pick set.

Here is a pic of FPS7 compared to a Peterson and Southern Specialties pick along side a 6 inch ruler.

click here for large pic--->
http://anarkey.net/images/foldingpick01.jpg

The FPS7 is most definitely NOT a novelty item. It is well machined with tight tolerances, no loose parts, and feels good in the hand.

The locking device that holds each pick in place is top notch! When the pick is fully extended it comes very close to an actual pick size.

full size pic---->
http://anarkey.net/images/foldingpick03.jpg

It comes with 6 picks and an additional 14 other styles plus blanks for do-it-yourselfers! Spare parts are also available!

full size pic---->
http://anarkey.net/images/foldingpick02.jpg

PROS

Very high quality!
Compact size
Light weight
Easy to use
Lots of accessories
Good picks!

CONS

Only one tension wrench
Loose some pick feel

Conclusion

The FPS7 is great at picking door locks! It begins to loose some ability with padlocks. I was able to pick some master locks, but had problems with other padlocks. The main reason is the tension wrench that comes with it will only work on may be 50% of the padlocks. In some padlocks the tension wrench can be too big or too small! This is not the fault of the FPS7. How many people only use one tension wrench?

I was able to rake open and pick my way through various doorknob locks and some dead bolts! And on the padlocks where the tension fit, no probs!

You should be aware that you do loose a fair amount of pick feel with any jack knife style pick set, and the FPS7 is no exception. Still the loss is kept to the minimum on the FPS7 due to it's superior craftsmanship (no loose parts, etc).

This would not be a pick set some one would want to learn with! However if you been picking for awhile and feel comfortable picking with full size picks, you won't have much trouble with the FPS7.

I like the FPS7 very much and am very pleased with it so far!
I would give it 4 STARS out of a possible 5

by pH » 9 Sep 2006 16:49

It's good to see a recent review of this item from someone trustworthy here. If you do a search, someone else reviewed this set, but the whole post (and all the replies from a bunch of people with 1 or 2 posts total) all sound like a giant advertisement for the tool and the site! In fact I believe the last post at the end is someone who found it during a search and stated that.

Thanks for the great and honest opinions.

by pH » 9 Sep 2006 16:58

pH wrote:It's good to see a recent review of this item from someone trustworthy here. If you do a search, someone else reviewed this set, but the whole post (and all the replies from a bunch of people with 1 or 2 posts total) all sound like a giant advertisement for the tool and the site! In fact I believe the last post at the end is someone who found it during a search and stated that.

Thanks for the great and honest opinions.

Sorry for the quick double post but I wanted to link to the thread I was talking about

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=9973

by **dmux** » 9 Sep 2006 17:03

Bud Wiser, i too recieved mine and i am very pleased and impressed, i have picked many things, a little feel is lost like you said but the compactability (if that is a word) and the quality and customization is a definite PLUS

yea i really like www.lockpicktools.com and they are located in GA where im at, i ordered on monday or rather sunday night and i got my shipment on thursday with regular lowest shipping

A+

by **Bud Wiser** » 9 Sep 2006 19:45

It's easy to appear like a advertisement when your legitimately excited about a product, but it's not spam unless your involved in a affiliate program and in effect profiting from your "testimonial". I think what we had on the other thread was just some excited folks that wanted to share their news

Still I recommend people always provide pros and cons, things they like and things they don't like so others can tell it's a real review.

by **jimb** » 9 Sep 2006 20:33

If I had this set maybe I would quit losing picks! Then again maybe I'd lose the whole set. :cry:

by **LockNewbie21** » 10 Sep 2006 4:35

Yea that was me complainging about spam

But the owner is a straight up nice guy. Even though iw as shunted for umm... trying to profitier? i suppose? He said he would make some pick sets for LP 101 mmebers with it stamped on the handels and ont he case... the cool thing we could pick out wich ones.. it was like a starter set.

I just thought i would be really neat to have an official pickset... but shshhhh i am really a profitieer arse, but don't tell anybody.

That really p*ssed me off, the guy.. he was being nice, i was really excited thinking people would love the idea... kinda like tool. But Money came into the picture... heh money on an iternet froum imagine that.

Sorry in a bad mood. But thats me honesty i thought iwas good... not having to take things to a legal level.. Cha CHA CHAbull*tt... excuse me.. dang cold

by **Main** » 10 Sep 2006 18:09

Ok, I have $100 to spend in October. But I'm planning now.
Would you people recommend this tool for beginners?
If so, I calculated that I can get:
1 Jackknife lock pick set
3 extra long hook picks
3 extra rake picks
3 extra small diamond picks
3 extra single ball picks
3 extra broken key extractor tools/picks
3 extra tension wrenches
3 extra control screws
All for the Jackknife "JPXS-6"
Recommended to take this acion?
Or would I be best to spend my cash else where?
If so, where/what should I spent my cash on?

Thanks in advance.

by **Mememe** » 10 Sep 2006 18:55

for a beginer forget the jackknife and get a proper set (do a search for reviews of the jacknife)

don't forget to budget for a couple of practice locks.

best of luck with the new hobby

by **Shrub** » 10 Sep 2006 21:12

Look for the 14 piece South Ord pick set, its a good start for a beginer and can be found on our sites sponcer,

If its not already on offer you can get 10% off by useing the lp101 code,

by **LockNewbie21** » 11 Sep 2006 0:34

Get slims to... the regs. at to think..

by **dhuskins** » 19 Sep 2006 14:17

I purchased the SouthOrd jack knife some time ago and just recently purchased the FPS7. Right away, I noticed a few differences.

The Southord picks are appear longer, but are only marginally so. After removing the key ring from the SouthOrd and the pocket clip from the FPS7, the FPS7 weighs half as much as the weight of the SouthOrd. (24g vs. 48g)

The tension tools are different as well. The SouthOrd tension tool is .118x.005 while the FPS tension tool is .124x.007 (overall, the FPS7 tension tool is bigger.) I am not impressed with the FPS7 tension tool. It is difficult to use. While I am not impressed with the SouthOrd one either, I have found myself using it once in a while.

There is a locking screw on the bottom of the SouthOrd. I find it tends to get in my way when I pick. After a short while, it bothers my hand and comes loose. The locking lever on the FPS7 gives a firm lock on the pick and is pretty much out of the way. I don't notice it as much when picking.

I recall reading somewhere that a person could change picks in the FPS7 with one hand, while picking a lock. While it is possible, the locking lever can hold the pick in place tight enough that it would be difficult. I have had better results changing the SouthOrd picks one handed.

Between the lighter weight and the tighter locking, I find the FPS7 transmits the lock feel better than the SouthOrd. Both pale in comparison to my normal picks, however, I get sufficient feel back from the FPS7 to pick locks quickly.

A couple comments about the FPS7 and its vendor... I ordered the FPS7 and ordered a couple extra picks. The FPS7 picks can be easily removed, reordered, and replaced. The company even sells pick blanks for the do it yourselfers. I ordered a saw rake, a #9 feeler and a blank.

When I received my package, I discovered that the newest version of the FPS7 comes with seven picks instead of the advertised six. The seventh pick is the saw rake. While the package for the #9 feeler was labeled as a #9, it was in fact a #8 feeler, just like what comes with the FPS7. I made a quick call to their friendly customer support and they resolved my problem with the feeler pick and even credited me for the #13 saw rake, since I don't need two of them.

I recommend that if you intend to purchase the FPS7, that you call the company. It seems that the product will be undergoing a few more changes soon. Personally, I dislike unannounced changes. If I had known that the #13 saw rake is now included in the standard FPS7, I would not have had to order it separately.

My overall rating for the FPS7 is a four out of five.
My overall rating for the SouthOrd is three out of five.

by **MaddHatterPYRO** » 13 Oct 2006 5:04

i ordered mine ssunday with 3 day express shipping and it got here today. i havent touched a lockpick in a year or so now, so i wasnt sure if i wanted a jackknife set to get back into it. so far it is a great tool. its very light and sturdy and has pretty good sensitivity. i brought it to work (papa johns) with a practice lock, and had some free time. then i found a box of locks from past drivers who left their locks from the cash lock boxes. so i spent 45 mintues picking locks at work and got back into i somewhat quickly. i live in a 4 bedroom apartment with indiviual leases so all the rooms have deadbolts on them. so once i got home i had all my roomates lock their doors. i was able to pick all of them (easy kwiksets). but one problem with the compact desing is u sitll need a heavy duty tension wrench for turning cylinders after they are picked. over all i think its a great tool to keep on you or in your glove box for emergencies and in case of some down time and u want practice.

also it doesnt show it in the pictures but this set DOES come wiht a #13 rakesaw. so save yourself $2 and dont order an extra one. use the 2 bux to buy a small screwdriver to bend for a tension wrench

by **melvin2001** » 30 Oct 2006 5:00

are you kidding me?

We got a live one boys!

by **omirix** » 30 Oct 2006 6:04

Ok, I have $100 to spend in October. But I'm planning now.
Would you people recommend this tool for beginners?
If so, I calculated that I can get:
1 Jackknife lock pick set
3 extra long hook picks
3 extra rake picks
3 extra small diamond picks
3 extra single ball picks
3 extra broken key extractor tools/picks
3 extra tension wrenches
3 extra control screws
All for the Jackknife "JPXS-6"
Recommended to take this acion?
Or would I be best to spend my cash else where?
If so, where/what should I spent my cash on?

Thanks in advance.

Don't do that.

I would suggest getting the PickStation Plus...

It comes with the PXS-14, 3 practice locks (1 3pin, 1 5pin, 1 5pin cutout), and a lock mount for more practice locks if you purchase them.

FPS -7 Folding Pocket Pickset Review

FPS -7 Folding Pocket Pickset Review

Comparing the FPS7 to the SouthOrd

fps 7

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