What picks do you use?

[Speedball]

Hey guys, I'm fairly new at picking locks. I've been doing it a while but I'm still at a basic level. I have a nice set but I'm trying to refrain from using rake-type tools. I'm curious what everyone else's fav. type(s) of tools are? (Pref. Single-style). So far I've enjoyed using hooks and half diamonds.

On a side note...

Is there a better pick for feeling pins when they set, or just hours of practice? Anyways, thanks for your input.

[Quin]

Practise is the key (pun intended).

I use the same, hook and half diamond for most of my picking.

[David_Parker]

Whatever works for you is probably the best answer I can give you. You'll find three types of pick lovers: half-diamond, rake (most people have this one on their top list) and or half-hook a.k.a. feeler. Usually, its a 2 pick combo of the three.

-Dave.

[maldotcom2]

I agree with what-ever you feel most comfortable with, but i find for feeling the pins state , a short hook is the best.

[Luke]

I like half-diamond for general use, if after the diamonds done its work theres some pin not setting ill go in with a hook. When there is a yale i use a deforest pick and finally if i have tried all of the above picks with no success and i have a feeling the locks taking macs to the extream a peterson reach is in my tool kit for those occasions.

[Exodus5000]

I use the short hook. And I love it to death. I wish I could find a set of picks comprised completely of hooks. So far i've only seen the short hook, the full hook, the peterson reach, and the peterson hook/diamond combo. I guess the falle safe hooks too...

But i'm talking like just 20 types of hooks at different angles and lengths. That'd be sweet.

As i'm thinking of this CaptianHook's Username finally made sense to me just now. haha.

[Speedball]

Well thanks for the tips. I have a few master locks (#1 which looks like it came from a WWII battlefield, #5 I picked up at Wal-Mart, and another one which doesn't have any visable # showing. Looks like it hsould've been silver but someone spilled black ink all over it...This is the actual design of it tho. Anyways) I've been working on (with no success). I guess that just means I need more practice .

[WhiteHat]

I use the short hook. And I love it to death. I wish I could find a set of picks comprised completely of hooks. So far i've only seen the short hook, the full hook, the peterson reach, and the peterson hook/diamond combo. I guess the falle safe hooks too...

But i'm talking like just 20 types of hooks at different angles and lengths. That'd be sweet.

As i'm thinking of this CaptianHook's Username finally made sense to me just now. haha.

southord has about 4 or 5 different lengths of hooks in their slimline line.
the navigator set is mostly hooks or hook-like devices.... heck if you drink enough alcohol they're all hooks, even the wrenches....

[Billy-Whizz]

I don't think there's anything wrong with having to rake a lock if that's what it takes to open it...I mostly use the Short Hook and Diamond picks and they work very well. However, there's been locks I have had difficulty with and i've found that raking using different pressure/speed has helped to set pins otherwise very difficult to pick individually.

'The Key' (Sorry about that!) however is to practice, practice, practice!

[lock_assassin]

I find lately I have been using the Peterson reach pick, and the deforest I believe it is called. It's a diamond hook pick. For padlocks I almost always use the half diamond. It's really true what Varjeal and some of the other guys on here said, you may have a ton of picks but you will find a few that you like and carry more tension wrenches than picks. I thinks it's best to try them all out on a lock and see what works best for you. Oh yeah, I love the rakes for Kwikset!!!

lock_assassin

[CaptHook]

As i'm thinking of this CaptHook's Username finally made sense to me just now. haha.

Finally........
Seriously though, hooks tend to be the most useful, as in they are able to set pins most rakes and diamonds cant. Go with whatever feels best to you, and that lets you "see" what is going on inside the lock.
The peterson reach is a modified deforrest ball, it comes in handy lots of times. But for my money, a regular hook pick is my most used.
Chuck

[HeadHunterCEO]

i use my drivers liscence alot but now the MPs at the bases are giving me shit about having mangled ID

[Chucklz]

HeadHunterCEO

Go to the Ukrops (Kroger if you prefer) and buy a gallon of milk. Your problem with destroying your ID is solved.

[Eyes_Only]

I think this thread kinda goes to prove that buying those huge 64 piece pick sets just isnt worth it seeing that the majority of us only use 3 types of picks. I bought a 32 piece majestic set a while back and i only use 1/5 of the set and the rest are still in "mint" condition. But it is still nice to own a variety of rakes and junk anyways i guess =P

[Qingu The Hobo]

I got myself the 20 pick set and I love it to death, while I go for the half diamond I really like working with the snake sometimes. I also got the feather tension wrench and I love it to death too, but I have been thinking of making the head of it a little smaller to work on the more cramp key ways.