HPC or Southord?

[n0n4m3]

First of all.....hi all!!
...and...second...sorry for my English!I'm Italian newbie approaching this fantastic world!
I've found some interesting sets of pick...
this one:
http://www.southord.com/Lock-Picking-To ... -6010.html

and
http://www.hpcworld.com/Picks/p_ndpk60.htm

What do you think about this two sets?
Which is the best one? (the cost is pretty much the same)
Which is the stiffer?
Are both suitable for European(Italian) locks? or one of the two(HPC?) is more thicker and only indicated for USA?

Thanks in advance for any help (which is very needed!)

[femurat]

Hi n0n4m3, welcome to the forum.

Do you think you really need all those 74 picks? Why don't you start with just a basic set? You can save a lot of money... useful for getting some practice locks.
Whichever brand you choose, make sure they're "euro" or "slimline", they're smaller than regular ones.

Cheers

[CaptHook]

If you have the means, get the HPC, they are light years ahead of the S.O. picks in quality and feel.
Chuck

[n0n4m3]

Hi n0n4m3, welcome to the forum.

Do you think you really need all those 74 picks? Why don't you start with just a basic set? You can save a lot of money... useful for getting some practice locks.
Whichever brand you choose, make sure they're "euro" or "slimline", they're smaller than regular ones.

Cheers

I really don't think!But I can have it for a good price!
The S.O. link that I post is of the Slim Line sets, but I'm not able to find out the same "slim line" picks by HPC, they don't specify nothing about this!

If you have the means, get the HPC, they are light years ahead of the S.O. picks in quality and feel.
Chuck

Hi CaptHook!
Yes, we have the means here in Italy, 'cause all pick-tools are free-sale articles!
But HPC seems to be more USA loks oriented than S.O. ones!
I need to investigate a little bit more!

[CaptHook]

Hi CaptHook!
Yes, we have the means here in Italy, 'cause all pick-tools are free-sale articles!
But HPC seems to be more USA loks oriented than S.O. ones!
I need to investigate a little bit more!

HPC stainless picks pip-2000. Euro sized picks.
Chuck

[n0n4m3]

Finally......I bought this one:
http://www.hpcworld.com/Picks/p_pip2k.htm
As suggested by CaptHook.....
Now, I'm waiting for......I'll tell you how they seems to me as soon as it arrive!

[loki-aka]

I think you will like the HPC set. Most people like them.
I have used both Southord and HPC, among others, and they are both good brands.

Bottom line is, do you feel comfortable with the tools ? Even the best engineered tool will not perform to its best if
the tools weight, balance, handle contour don't suit you.

Looking forward to hearing you opinion.

[exspook]

I have a RYTAN set which works well on UK locks (slimline)

Good luck and you have some good locks to choose from in Italy

[n0n4m3]

First of all.....thanks to all people for replies!!
I'm waiting for HPC set that I ordered.....It isn't still arrived!
I'll post an opinion about this set as soon as it will arrive.
'till now....I've tried to open some padlocks(nothing special...4 pins) only with two bobby pin....and I win!!
@exspook: Rytan seems to be a good brand.... I think that I gonna try some of them picks!!

Cheers

[Eyes_Only]

I don't usually pick locks with very small and restricted keyways and that means that there's a good chance I'll end up bending any slimline picks due to inexperience in using them. If you're in the same situation then I'd just get a SO slimline cos last time I checked they were much cheaper than the rytan slimlines to replace if you end up having to do so.

I've tried the rytan slimlines at a locksmith convention once and I personally didn't notice any difference. If you can use them with a light touch and surgical precision I think a SO pick would be just fine.

[n0n4m3]

I don't usually pick locks with very small and restricted keyways and that means that there's a good chance I'll end up bending any slimline picks due to inexperience in using them. If you're in the same situation then I'd just get a SO slimline cos last time I checked they were much cheaper than the rytan slimlines to replace if you end up having to do so.

I've tried the rytan slimlines at a locksmith convention once and I personally didn't notice any difference. If you can use them with a light touch and surgical precision I think a SO pick would be just fine.

Hi!
I'm forced to (try! ) to pick locks with small keyways...coz there aren't alternatives in Italy! I've bought a 2000 series set by HPC, but I'm thinking about buying some others picks (this hobby is very contagious!! )........I also think that SO is a good brand, and I'm oriented for its picks instead of Rytan ones. SO seems to be more cheaper and also more slim! Thanks for sharing your experience about SO and Rytan!
Sorry for my English!!
Cheers!!

[Eyes_Only]

Nah dude your English is fine, understood every word clearly.

And if/when you get the SO slimlines I think you'll be happy with them as long as you're gentle with them. My short hook, half-diamond and deforest slimlines have a permanent home in my pick case.

[n0n4m3]

Hi m8!!
Sorry for the delay!!
Thanks for compliments about my English!! Yeahh...I'm able to understand almost all......but I've some problems in verbs conjugation when writing/speaking!!
Anyway......I've bought also some SO slims....and....Eyes_Only.....you were right!!! They feel like little...surgical...instruments!!
And with them...I pick almost immediately a double-cylinder lock with very very restricted keyway with 5 pins, 3 of which are mushroom-type pins!!
Now I'm fighting with a abloy-like padlock......but.....at now......he won!!

[turbinekng]

Im new and would like to say hello to everyone. Ive been lock picking for about 5 yrs. bought the video's and have tried to learn all I can. I want to learn more about how to pick MEDECO locks { side bar }. to answer your question about HPC or southord. I bought a HPC electric lock pick yrs ago. The battery died. The cost of a new battery was near that of a new pick. I currently use a snap gun. My recomendation is the manual type of gun. there's just a few tricks when using. It will work good.

[unlisted]

Im new and would like to say hello to everyone. Ive been lock picking for about 5 yrs. bought the video's and have tried to learn all I can. I want to learn more about how to pick MEDECO locks { side bar }. to answer your question about HPC or southord. I bought a HPC electric lock pick yrs ago. The battery died. The cost of a new battery was near that of a new pick. I currently use a snap gun. My recomendation is the manual type of gun. there's just a few tricks when using. It will work good.

Hey new dood. This thread is not discussing electric picks at all- so thanks for trying, but wrong topic.