Slimline Lock Confusion

[shellcode]

Do the slimline lockpicks (such as Southord's C1510) also work well on American locks and locks with larger keyways. I'm looking for a good starter set and even though I live in the United States (and plan to work mostly with US locks) I want a versatile starter set. If they do, is there any advantage to getting an equivalent non-slimline MPXS-14 set from Southord?

Also is there any practical advantage to starting out with a more expensive set from Peterson? I also tried looking for HPC, Rytan and Falle-Safe but couldn't find them for sale (online). Is there any advantage to starting out with any of these rather than Southords?

Thanks in advance.

[digital_blue]

The slimline picks will work, but will be more delicate than the standard picks. If your picking experience is fairly limited, you may want a standard set to start with, as there is the tendency to be a bit heavy handed when you are first learning.

Falle-Safe tools are fantastic, and can be purchased from www.safeventures.com, though I'm not sure I'd recommend that set as your first set either. Buy a cheap standard SouthOrd set to get your feet wet, and then go for the Falles. That's actually exactly what I did, and it worked out pretty well for me.

Along the way, don't discount the idea of making your own picks, though having at least a basic set first will be helpful in your pick making.

Cheers!

db

[Heliox]

I just bought the 22 piece slimline set. If I had known how much I was going to like it I would have skipped the 32 piece standard set that I'd bought a few months ago. The only thing you really need to be wary of is that the picks are slightly more delicate and I'm not sure they'll hold up to as much abuse as I put my standards through when I was learning.

If you're significantly bending the picks or tension wrenches, you're probably applying too much pressure.

That said, I'd go for the slim line set that has all 4 slimline hooks in it. I don't much like rakes as there's (IMHO) less skill involved in using them, but ATM, I'm more interested in developing skill than opening locks. If your goal is different, then you might have more luck with something else.

Take a look at: viewtopic.php?t=7279

To specifically answer your question, I'm using my slimlines on Schlage and Master locks among others. No problems with those. The southords are cheaper per pick, so you might be better off using those to figure out what picks you like and then upgrade to petersons later on. They're also cheaper to break if you're overly enthusiastic in your picking. The falle safes would be a very expensive learning tool.

If you're looking for falle safe, try safe ventures in the UK.

[Shrub]

I still use my SO's for hand picking and get on fine with them, if you do get a set make sure you get some fine emry paper as well, they tend to come a bit burred up and need a bit of sanding before use

If you learn with delecate tools you will turn out a good picker faster in my opinion but they wont like a heavy hand but as thats not what picking is about you should be fine.

The only differance is that you will find a bit more room to play with in the keyway by having thinner picks.

[Dent]

I like the Southord slimline picks but I disagree that you should go with a 22 piece set...


Personally I got about 10 picks in a little self made set, and I use perhaps 2 or 3 of them(usually only the slim hook).

For your money, I think you are much better off buying like 2 slimline hooks, a deep hook, 2-4 tension wrenches and perhaps an L rake.

I really only use my slimline hook and tension wrenches for opening most locks(I have balls and diamonds but havent found a good use for them yet).

So unless you are set on having a 22-36-48 whatever piece set, I think you can get on with just a small set of hooks and tension's and do just fine.

Spend the extra money getting some cynlinders or whatnot to practice on, they'll do you more good than other random picks imho

[digital_blue]

...I have balls and diamonds...

The ladies must love you!

[digital_blue]

...So unless you are set on having a 22-36-48...

I would have opted for 34-24-35 but that's just me...

Ok.. I'll stop now.

db

[Chrispy]

Two in a row Db.

[jason]

I have the HPC stainless steel slimlines (2000) they are not as forgiving to a beginner as the normal spring steel picks - I favour using them on locks that won't single pick open with my standard set.

[Heliox]

The reason I mention the 22 piece slimline set is because it's way cheaper to get the single set than multiple sets or individual picks. I also feel that it's important to try the various rakes so a newbie can determine which ones are worthless and which are useful. It also gives you the full selection of hooks and long reach half ball and half diamond which I feel are by far the most useful. It's fairly inexpensive (christmas sale) and comes with a free recycled notepad (aka easy pickings book <bletch>.) But if money is really an issue, the C1510 is a nice set that seems to have all the hooks. I'm reluctant to go with anything smaller because the cost per pick goes up and the selectino goes down, but that's just me. If I had it to do all o ver again, I would do the slimlines over the mpxs-32 that i bought. btw, look at the outlet stuff too. prices are better and there's no noticeable effect on performance.

[digital_blue]

I also feel that it's important to try the various rakes so a newbie can determine which ones are worthless and which are useful.

Bingo! I have always felt exactly this way. This is why I've often recommended that a newbie buy the largest set that he/she can comfortably afford. You never know, there may be something in that bigger set that they just love. One mans trash is often another mans treasure.

db