Types of picks

[Echoguy]

I was wondering if anyone would explain to me the difference between a half diamond pick and a short hook pick in terms of utility. I always use a short hook, but I was wondering if I would be well served trying out a half diamond. Any information would be appreciated. You guys rock.

[Olson Burry]

The half diamond can be used to rake in and out as well as Single Pin Pick (SPP)

On occasions with tricky bittings in the lock, (say, very high followed by very low) The half diamond may not be as good a choice as the hook because whilst picking the high pin, it is possible to overlift the low one easier because it is just that much wider at the bottom.

I mainly use the half diamond but I'm practising on the hook to get better.

[ElizabethGreene]

IANAE (I am not an expert). For me, a half diamond easier to move around in the lock, and is my first pick. If a lock is setting from front to back or has a deep cut setting early with shallow pins behind, then it's time for the hook.


oO
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-ellie

[LockDFTR]

As an add-on,

A lot of pickers feel that there isn't much skill involved with raking a lock. They prefer single pin picking with a hook, or something similar. To open a lock by SPP'ng, it will enable you to better "feel" as each pinstack is set.

It's entirely up to each person's preference. One style may be faster on a certain lock than the other. You will be able to learn, and master both methods, with practice.
And after you practice, practice some more!!!!! Best luck to you!!

[datagram]

I was wondering if anyone would explain to me the difference between a half diamond pick and a short hook pick in terms of utility. I always use a short hook, but I was wondering if I would be well served trying out a half diamond. Any information would be appreciated. You guys rock.

Half diamonds are great for probing because so you don't need to lift very high. This makes them better than short hooks for this purpose because the hook requires a bit more space to move around. The half-diamond is also slightly better to rake with because it glides under the pins well, hooks may not afford you this luxury. The hook however, is a much better single-pin picking tool because it is precise (you don't have to worry about lifting with the side of the pointed diamond), and it can lift higher without touching pins in front of your target.

dg

[MacGnG1]

i have used both. the half diamond is good for raking but i use the hook more

[ToolyMcgee]

I think datagram said it best, but everyone here is right as it is a preference based decision.

I only used hooks for along time, but have in months past come to find the half diamond faster for picking locks that it is better equipped to handle. i.e. locks with closer key biting and/or locks with standard pins. The short hook is a single function pick for SPP'ing, but the half diamond can be used for raking, SPP, and on occasion double pin lifting. If I choose one tool to carry on me 80% of the time it is the half diamond for speed, but for precise picking on an unfamiliar lock, if I'm not getting anywhere it has to be a hook type pick. You can usually tell by the first binding pin or two if the half diamond it isn't going to work for single pin, and if that's the case then you can usually half diamond rake as much as you like without faster results than a hook can give you. Not to say there aren't picks I would reach for first for speed, but that wasn't the question. What was the question?

Try out the half diamond or you are missing out on what could become your most effective tool and/or style of picking. In fact, I say try out every tool for a couple hours, and adjust your set every time you feel the need. Don't ever pigeon hole a tool to it's specific function. Carry an entire backpack full of tools, and luggage everywhere you go. An entire JEEP packed with lockpicking tools. You can never be to prepared! Take 38 KIK doorknobs with you everywhere you go and 46 deadbolts. That way the difference is divisible by an even number, but doesn't equal an even number... in this way you are safe from government computer blacklisting. Shhh, we never spoke. I was never here...

[Echoguy]

Thanks guys. I just bought my first produced set (I made my own hook picks previously) and I was just curious about the half diamond's utility. I'll give it a shot.

[bob sholtz]

If i could offer my two cents, i recommend the half diamond to practice feeling the difference between a pin that is binding, and ones that are not.

Basically, you can just push it all the way to the back, and along the way, you will feel that one of the pins you passed under took more force to get up, ergo, it is the binding pin.

Doing this is really what took me from poking around in a lock, to understanding and picturing what was happening.

Good luck with your picking,

Cheers!