What To Buy. Picks Sets For Beginners.

[freakparade3]

There have recently been posts popping up again asking what to buy. I think a big mistake new pickers make is buying a big expensive pick set. First off, the amount of new users that join all excited about picking and grow bored in a couple of weeks is staggering. To start with all you need is a small hook, a half diamond, and a tension wrench. Rakes are not good for beginners to play with. First learn to SPP (single pin pick) and then work on raking.

As for what to buy the possibilities are nearly endless. Hopefully I can help here. For beginners this is the best site to order from. www.lockpicktools.com you can order individual picks for very little money and see how you like picking. If it's not for you it's OK, you only spent $10 or so.

Southord picks are also good beginner picks, a little more expensive, but still pretty cheap. THIS is the set you should get if you want Southord picks.

HPC picks are next. Most professional locksmiths use HPC picks. They are relatively cheap and pretty good quality. THIS is the HPC set of choice for beginners.

Now, for those of you that are still pickers after you have worn out your lesser picks and are looking for something more THIS is what you are after. Peterson-International makes what many (myself included) consider to be the ultimate in commercially produced lockpicks.

There you have it. You don't need to spend a fortune to start this hobby. Buying the best picks in the world will not make you a better picker when you start off. Only practice can do that.

freakparade3

[Safety0ff]

Yea, if you're a beginner with cash, save it for practice locks, it doesn't take many tools to get picking.

[jamie79512]

For my first commercial pick set i purchased 5 single picks, including a double ended, and a tension tool from southord. I paid just under $15. I figured that was a pretty good deal and enough to get me started. Was that a good idea? Theres no case but that's no big deal.

[jamie79512]

Scratch that, i only paid $12 and thats including shipping

[ToolyMcgee]

He's right, basic tools are cheap or can be homemade. Locks, even cheap locks, are expensive. 3 master No 3's will cost you more than 10 bucks most places brand new.

A preemptive newb post. Thumbs up, but you realize of course this thread will go overlooked if it falls to second place. Probably even before that, replaced by the inevitable "what do I need to buy?" Let us take a moment of silence to pray...

[MacGnG1]

yea i bought my tool seperately instead of a kit. i dont use all of them on every lock but i do use my rakes.

[thunerhair42]

I don't know if I did the right thing, but I just ordered a 14 piece set, without reinforced handles. I don't know a saw a few other posts saying it was a good set so...

[prag]

I own the HPC Novice Pick Set. The basic pick set will do the trick and like the other posters have stated that the money could be more wisely spent on locks and other tools required in the trade eg Mortice picks etc.

The Peterson's "Government Elite Set" looks really great to have. One thing puzzling me is the last two tools in the picture. What is it, some form of broken key extractor.

I just helped a friend get a HPC Novice Pick set and he paid +- $24. Is that an okay price to pay. In SA our suppliers only stock HPC products, but I will look out for the Peterson pick set. The hook pick looks has more of a "curve" than HPC.

[freakparade3]

Prag, those are called Adams-wright trip wires. Their use is prohibited discussion in this area.

[dougfarre]

Freak, shouldn't you not be endorsing anyones picksets officially (except lock pick shop)?

[dougfarre]

Sorry about that double negative.

[freakparade3]

Freak, shouldn't you not be endorsing anyones picksets officially (except lock pick shop)?

I made this thread in the interest of saving newcomers money and frustration. How many of us that have been picking for awhile have hundreds of picks and use about 5 of them? Quite a few I'd say.

[savs2k]

im having some troubble understanding if i am able to order from lockpicks.com. under the terms of service they say

"by placing an order the BUYER certifies that LockPicks.com, its employees and/or the officers, board members, and/or stock holders of its parent will be acting in a lawful manner as described under U.S.C. Title 39 Section 3002a when mailing "locksmith entry tools" to the buyer, i.e. buyer certifies that he/she/it is one or more of the following: a bona fide locksmith; lock distributor (contractors often fall into this category); bona fide repossessor; motor vehicle dealer; lock manufacturer; or a motor vehicle manufacturer;, law enforcement officer; active duty military; a bona fide fire fighter; a bona fide purchaser for one of the aforementioned; and/or a customer who will have this purchase shipped outside the United States, its possession, or territories; and/or a customer who is purchasing items that are not "locksmith entry tools." LockPicks.com or its parent will not deliver any locksmithing device through the mail to a person who cannot certify that he/she/it falls into one of the aforementioned categories."

Im located in california actually in the same city as their headquarters. Before i try to place an order can someone tell me if i can even order from there?

[savs2k]

oops i read the site wrong. I was looking at lockpicks.com not lockpicktools.com. either way can i still place an order?

[weerwolf]

Southord picks are also good beginner picks, a little more expensive, but still pretty cheap. THIS is the set you should get if you want Southord picks.

HPC picks are next. Most professional locksmiths use HPC picks. They are relatively cheap and pretty good quality. THIS is the HPC set of choice for beginners.

I use the HPC novice set at work. They are very good.
My girlfriend got me the set from Southord for my birthday last year. They are also good. But I like the HPC more. The picks are thinner. That really helps when working on European locks.