pick sets to start with...

[Slim-pickins]

I'm kind of new to lock picking and am going to order my first set of lock picks this week. I've seen ads for many different types of sets and am a bit confused as to which one to start out with. I don't want to order a set with so many picks that I'll not use most of them...but on the other hand I don't want to place an order only to find that I don't have all that I need. The set I'm probably going to order has 9 picks, 4 tension tools, and a broken key extractor. My question is...would this be sufficient?..or should I go ahead and order a larger set with more picks, etc.?

[Olson Burry]

Start small I reckon. I have many many picks and basically I only use a half diamond and a falle style hook.

If you get a set with a couple of hooks (short/long) and a half diamond I dont think you can go wrong. At least it will give you a decent base to work from.

A lot of the picks in the bigger sets are various kinds of rakes. An 'S' rake is nice to have occasionally as well as perhaps a bogota style or 3 hump camel rake thing (I dont know what the proper name is) /\/\/\___ <--

I've found uses for the wave rake when feeling lazy but if you're interested in the skill and single pin picking a half diamond and a hook or two is all you should need.

9 pick set should be fine. Tension wrenches are where it's at. Can never have too many of those.

[op-sec]

To start out with - if you really want to do yourself a HUGE favor - get yourself a good range of tension wrenches and a couple of short hooks.

If you look through my videos, you'll see that 10 of the 11 videos I'm using my SouthOrd short-hook.

There are a couple of videos that I use a snake-rake in but - ONLY after having really picked the lock using a short-hook.

This is going to probably piss some people off but here goes anyway: Any moron can rake a lock into submission. It takes skill to single-pin pick a lock. Raking has its uses but, learn to SPP first.

Of the >100 picks I've got, there are three that get any use at all and they're ALL short hooks.

As a matter of fact, I can open 99% of my locks with what is pictured here:

http://www.op-sec.us/DSC00328.JPG

Throw in a couple more tension wrenches of varied sizes and I can open every lock in my collection.

In the top of that picture is the SouthOrd short-hook. This is one of my favorites for Master padlocks, most Brinks padlocks and probably 60% of KwikSet locks I've come up against.

The second pick down is an HPC short-hook. I've been polished (necessary step) with emery cloth to make it smooth as glass. I use this pick when the SouthOrd doesn't "feel right" in the lock.

The bottom pick is the smallest pick in the GOSO 23-piece set. I've modified it to fit into the keyway of my Medeco KeyMark SFIC core. None of my other picks would even fit into the core.

This is the Medeco Keymark I'm talking about:

http://www.op-sec.us/keymark.JPG

So, starting out - get yourself a SouthOrd short-hook, an HPC short-hook and hit up wiz - http://www.youtube.com/user/wizwazzle - to sell you one of his tension-tool packages. You'll be set for 99% of the locks you will run up against and you'll save yourself some money and grief.

If you're feeling particularly industrious, go to the junkyard and get yourself some windshield wiper inserts of various sizes (width + thickness) and make your own tension wrenches. It's fun.

[datagram]

I'm kind of new to lock picking and am going to order my first set of lock picks this week. I've seen ads for many different types of sets and am a bit confused as to which one to start out with. I don't want to order a set with so many picks that I'll not use most of them...but on the other hand I don't want to place an order only to find that I don't have all that I need. The set I'm probably going to order has 9 picks, 4 tension tools, and a broken key extractor. My question is...would this be sufficient?..or should I go ahead and order a larger set with more picks, etc.?

The basic 11/14 piece Southord set is great for a beginner. Don't order a larger set because you'll probably find you only like 3-4 picks and will reduce your main set to that. Later on you can buy a better set or individual picks to supplement what you already have.

dg

[freakparade3]

Read the stickys. viewtopic.php?t=39809

[Slim-pickins]

Thanks for the replies...I really appreciate any info that experienced people can give. I like the idea that every lock is like a puzzle and requires skill to solve...unless of course you just rake the hell out of it and hope to get lucky. Ordering a lock picking set is a step up from how I used to do it. When I was 8 years old I figured out that all I needed were 2 small nails to pick a master lock(padlock). I would use one to apply tension while gently raking the pins. I honestly have no idea how I knew to do this at such a young age. After all, it always worked and I was able to constantly get into my older brothers private stuff..
After reading the replies...I decided to go ahead and order a 14 piece set so that I'll have what I need but not so much that it would be a waste. Thanks again...and as I said...I'm also new to this site but am very enthusiastic about learning all I can from everyone. I imagine the best way would be to post here and there with some questions rather than just "troll" until someone posts something interesting...

[op-sec]

Slim,

You're on the right track. I'm sure you'll do good with your set. As you progress, I'm the case (you got one with a nice small case, right?) will come in handy. I use the case that my first SouthOrd kit came in to carry my "essential" short-hooks and the "Wiz" tension-wrenches with me. It fits in my pocket and I never know it's there - until I get the inevitable urge to pick something and then, I've got my favorite picks with me.

One thing that took me a while to learn was that I needed to be relaxed when I was picking. When I first started picking, I had a little Brinks lock that I had pwn3d over and over again. Then, suddenly, I couldn't pick it. I was getting VERY frustrated with the lock and when I finally "gave up" on the lock, I literally had indention's in my hand from gripping the lock so tightly. (Like it was going to open just because I had a strangle-hold on it!) I set the lock aside for "another time" and a week or so later, I picked it up and was able to pick it again.

The same thing (minus the strangle-hold) happened to me this weekend with a new lock. I had been ripping it a new one and suddenly, I couldn't pick it. I thought something had "changed" on the lock. Well, the lock hadn't changed - the way I was trying to pick it had. I wasn't paying enough attention. This time, as a matter of experience, I had the presence of mind to put that lock down and pick up some others and pick them. That kept my confidence level up. A day later, I slaughtered the new lock - on video - after I had the time to cool down and think about what *I* might be doing wrong.

Have fun - that's what it's all about!

[Olson Burry]

Definitely. I get that too. Being relaxed is a good thing and it is so easy to get frustrated and apply more and more tension, both on the lock and in your fingers; it gets impossible.

It's always nice to go back and experience an easy lock to get the feeling back, I've a 3 pin abus 65/20 that reminds me how finite and small my movements have to be and keeps my concrete gloves off.

Happy pickin'
Happy daze

[crazynllovewitu]

thanx for ur help on choosing some picks

[mixmastermike255]

I'm also new to all this and I'm looking for a smaller set that works on American locks. I don't really know if any set will do, so I could sure use some help.

[jfw]

I must agree with op-sec. Short hooks ALL THE WAY!!!

[Jeremym0411]

I like the southord jackknife pick set.

[lockstar5000]

I am new to locksmithing and picking. The course I took included a LAB 11 piece basic pick set. 4 tension wrenches, a plastic handle, and 6 picks (actually 12 since there is 1 at either end). It has worked well for me so far, and has been able to tackle any of the (admittedly few) locks I have attempted to pick. I think it cost like 10 or 15 USD.

[escher7]

To start out with - if you really want to do yourself a HUGE favor - get yourself a good range of tension wrenches and a couple of short hooks.

If you look through my videos, you'll see that 10 of the 11 videos I'm using my SouthOrd short-hook.

There are a couple of videos that I use a snake-rake in but - ONLY after having really picked the lock using a short-hook.

This is going to probably piss some people off but here goes anyway: Any moron can rake a lock into submission. It takes skill to single-pin pick a lock. Raking has its uses but, learn to SPP first.

Of the >100 picks I've got, there are three that get any use at all and they're ALL short hooks.

As a matter of fact, I can open 99% of my locks with what is pictured here:

http://www.op-sec.us/DSC00328.JPG

Throw in a couple more tension wrenches of varied sizes and I can open every lock in my collection.

In the top of that picture is the SouthOrd short-hook. This is one of my favorites for Master padlocks, most Brinks padlocks and probably 60% of KwikSet locks I've come up against.

The second pick down is an HPC short-hook. I've been polished (necessary step) with emery cloth to make it smooth as glass. I use this pick when the SouthOrd doesn't "feel right" in the lock.

The bottom pick is the smallest pick in the GOSO 23-piece set. I've modified it to fit into the keyway of my Medeco KeyMark SFIC core. None of my other picks would even fit into the core.

This is the Medeco Keymark I'm talking about:

http://www.op-sec.us/keymark.JPG

So, starting out - get yourself a SouthOrd short-hook, an HPC short-hook and hit up wiz - http://www.youtube.com/user/wizwazzle - to sell you one of his tension-tool packages. You'll be set for 99% of the locks you will run up against and you'll save yourself some money and grief.

If you're feeling particularly industrious, go to the junkyard and get yourself some windshield wiper inserts of various sizes (width + thickness) and make your own tension wrenches. It's fun.

Yes, slashing back and forth with a rake is amateurish, but in reality, even the Bogota style picks are "rakes" yet everyone praises them. I use Southord's "Pagoda" (very good rip-offs of Bogota picks) for a lot of work. But the technique is much more complicated than raking. First, rocking gently with an oscillating motion will set most or all pins. Any that are left can be set individually by using the tip of the same pick. Southord has the Pagoda picks available in a $40 kit or individually for $5. They are excellent quality with stainless handles. As to hooks, many accomplished folks use them, but personally I prefer small or medium half diamonds and for those rear pins that need high lifting, a curved half diamond. Once in a while a stubborn lock will only respond to some weird pick, like a snowman.
Bottom line, no matter what your technique, no one can tell you what to use. As you (and I) progress we will find our own way. I do recommend you stay away from cheap import picks and stick with high quality domestic products. I have jammed several locks when inferior Chinese picks broke off under hard use, mostly in old stiff locks that require a lot of force.

[Scythinator]

To start out with - if you really want to do yourself a HUGE favor - get yourself a good range of tension wrenches and a couple of short hooks.

If you look through my videos, you'll see that 10 of the 11 videos I'm using my SouthOrd short-hook.

There are a couple of videos that I use a snake-rake in but - ONLY after having really picked the lock using a short-hook.

This is going to probably piss some people off but here goes anyway: Any moron can rake a lock into submission. It takes skill to single-pin pick a lock. Raking has its uses but, learn to SPP first.

Of the >100 picks I've got, there are three that get any use at all and they're ALL short hooks.

As a matter of fact, I can open 99% of my locks with what is pictured here:

http://www.op-sec.us/DSC00328.JPG

Throw in a couple more tension wrenches of varied sizes and I can open every lock in my collection.

In the top of that picture is the SouthOrd short-hook. This is one of my favorites for Master padlocks, most Brinks padlocks and probably 60% of KwikSet locks I've come up against.

The second pick down is an HPC short-hook. I've been polished (necessary step) with emery cloth to make it smooth as glass. I use this pick when the SouthOrd doesn't "feel right" in the lock.

The bottom pick is the smallest pick in the GOSO 23-piece set. I've modified it to fit into the keyway of my Medeco KeyMark SFIC core. None of my other picks would even fit into the core.

This is the Medeco Keymark I'm talking about:

http://www.op-sec.us/keymark.JPG

So, starting out - get yourself a SouthOrd short-hook, an HPC short-hook and hit up wiz - http://www.youtube.com/user/wizwazzle - to sell you one of his tension-tool packages. You'll be set for 99% of the locks you will run up against and you'll save yourself some money and grief.

If you're feeling particularly industrious, go to the junkyard and get yourself some windshield wiper inserts of various sizes (width + thickness) and make your own tension wrenches. It's fun.

Yes, slashing back and forth with a rake is amateurish, but in reality, even the Bogota style picks are "rakes" yet everyone praises them. I use Southord's "Pagoda" (very good rip-offs of Bogota picks) for a lot of work. But the technique is much more complicated than raking. First, rocking gently with an oscillating motion will set most or all pins. Any that are left can be set individually by using the tip of the same pick. Southord has the Pagoda picks available in a $40 kit or individually for $5. They are excellent quality with stainless handles. As to hooks, many accomplished folks use them, but personally I prefer small or medium half diamonds and for those rear pins that need high lifting, a curved half diamond. Once in a while a stubborn lock will only respond to some weird pick, like a snowman.
Bottom line, no matter what your technique, no one can tell you what to use. As you (and I) progress we will find our own way. I do recommend you stay away from cheap import picks and stick with high quality domestic products. I have jammed several locks when inferior Chinese picks broke off under hard use, mostly in old stiff locks that require a lot of force.

You should apply Silicone spray or DW 40 on old stiff locks before picking them.