What picks do you use?

[pseudodigm]

I just got my set 2 days ago and already I'm favoring the half hook and the diamond. Granted I've only been practising on two different locks so far. (I'm happy to announce that in addition to a crappy little Master 140 I did my first regular Master #3 today)

I too felt sorta lame for having 14 pieces but only using like 4 (those two picks and two different tension wrenches) but hey, it was relatively inexpensive and I'll always have them around just in case. Next time I'll probably just by a couple hooks and diamonds to replace the ones I plan on wearing out.

(first post, btw. This forum is where I've gotten all of the information I have on picking and made my "boy wouldn't that be cool" fantasy into an actual hobby. thanks!)

pseudo

[b540glenn]

I got my set (MPS-14) last week and have tried them all. Most of my success comes with the Short Hook and the C Rake.

[Hak]

I tend to use various picks, but my favorites are:

L Rake (also known as sawtooth)
C Rake and..
Short Hook

I use the L Rake whenever i rake a deadbolt or door knob, and i use the C Rake whenever i rake a padlock, the short hook is obviously for pin by pin picking.

[quicklocks]

i use the short hook and half diamond and also a fav of mine is the half diamond thats sides are not the same angle, my set is a majestic 32piece set. i do use the others but not as mutch as my favs

[quicklocks]

forgot to say
the tension wrench is just as inportant as the pick i have about severn i use on a regular basis

[JoR]

I use the Southord beginners 5 piece set - tension wrench, ball rake, half diamond, hook and rake. They were kind of hard on my hands at first so I wrapped a bit of duck tape around the handles.

Is this set enough to open padlocks containing spool and mushroom pins?

[Pheniox]

I use the Southord beginners 5 piece set - tension wrench, ball rake, half diamond, hook and rake. They were kind of hard on my hands at first so I wrapped a bit of duck tape around the handles.

Is this set enough to open padlocks containing spool and mushroom pins?

First mistake. Your "Padding" takes away from the feel teh picks give you. Toughen up your hands, nobody said it was suppost to be painless. I have glass shards taped around my picks to make me pick faster and make raking hurt a little.

And yes, they are enough to open spool and mushroom pins, but don't even think about doing them if you just started.

[JoR]

Okay.

[Richie]

I'm quite partial to the double-ball pick.