Difference between a good and bad set

[DTryan]

Hey guys, relatively inexperienced picker here. About 5 months ago I had bought one of those credit card lock pick sets from amazon for $6. Im sure you know the kind. The thing is I have had an extremely difficult time opening locks with it. I can only get them to open if the lock is very loose and each time I set a pin it drastically moves the cam. My question is, has anyone been successful with this pick set and what are the key differences between a really good set and a really bad set.

Thanks!

[GWiens2001]

As a general rule, the credit card picks are not that great. They might work in an emergency, but their small size and handles make picking difficult, and the shank of the pick is generally too thick for most keyways. Check with our sponsors and get a small 5 piece pick set. It will be cheap and effective.

Good luck,

Gordon

[cuttinedge1]

Try making your own as well. You get exactly what you want. There are plenty of tutorials on this forum.

[silvfox1200]

I have a small set that I bought, but I usually make my own. That way I can have one to work the way I want it to.

Thanks

[KPick]

They are too thick to use in most locks. Generally, you will need to get yourself a slimline set from a good manufacturer, or you can make your own. Make sure you use a good metal though.

[Legion303]

Get the best of both worlds--buy the credit card set, then make your own tiny picks that will fit in the slots, and you have a good custom wallet set. Ask me how I know.

[GWiens2001]

Get the best of both worlds--buy the credit card set, then make your own tiny picks that will fit in the slots, and you have a good custom wallet set. Ask me how I know.

+1

Have done the same thing.

Gordon

[ggpaintballer]

I am also relatively new. Less than a year, but I've gotten fairly good. The real trick is practice. Anyone who practiced exclusively using that credit card set for a year would be able to open most locks using that that set. That being said, take the path of leas resistance. For just starting out those small pick make it difficult to feel the lock with. You need to get used to building a mental map of what going on in the lock, and a better quality pick will help you accomplish that sooner. If you stay in the hobby, then you can move to smaller picks. I have a few titanium ones I keep as a wallet set. I've re profiled and shaved them down to fit my needs. Get yourself a Peterson hook. Top of the keyway, and bottom of the keyway tension tools. Then practice. It is pretty rare you can get the job done with those 3 pieces.

[assweasel]

Those picks with some polishing are not that bad.

It is the tension wrenches.

Starting out you really need to get a quality tension wrench,

I always say I can pick any lock with my [ADMIN EDIT: this is a family friendly place, c'mon now] as long as I have a good tension wrench.

Those Tension wrenches really bite.
Making your own is hit and miss and if starting you don't want to miss.

I wouldn't even suggest a South Ord for a beginner.

Lowest quality tension wrench i would suggest is HPC

When you experience a good tension wrench you will know the difference and trust me you will say OMG

[Luissen]

For the longest time, I had no idea how much I was missing out on, using paperclips, bent pieces of piano wire and roughly hewn shanks from rulers before someone decided that we're not allowed to have some blatantly dangerous things (but others such as knives, bludgeons and improvised explosives are fine)

A good torque wrench in my opinion is the one thing you really need, since I think most of the act of 'picking' is paying attention to the effect of torque.

[KPick]

For the longest time, I had no idea how much I was missing out on, using paperclips, bent pieces of piano wire and roughly hewn shanks from rulers before someone decided that we're not allowed to have some blatantly dangerous things (but others such as knives, bludgeons and improvised explosives are fine)

A good torque wrench in my opinion is the one thing you really need, since I think most of the act of 'picking' is paying attention to the effect of torque.

Dont forget about paying attention to the tricky feedback from those serrated pins coming from the pick.