Pen Pickset - D-212

by **omirix** » 22 Oct 2006 15:06

I recently purchased a D-212, the "pen" lock pick set from http://lockpicks.com.

My box isn't here yet, but I'm wondering: did I make the right choice for my first set of picks?

My main idea behind the pen set was to be a little bit discreet. But, will this slow my learning down?

by **Bud Wiser** » 22 Oct 2006 15:27

by **digital_blue** » 22 Oct 2006 15:46

WARNING... WARNING...

Being "discrete" while picking locks may seriously hinder your ability to do the simple things in life, like shower without having to go through a body cavity search.

db

by **omirix** » 22 Oct 2006 15:56

I'm simply asking if these picks will hinder my ability to learn, or if they make picking considerably harder for newbies.

by **digital_blue** » 22 Oct 2006 15:59

And I'm simply asking why it would be important for a person who is genuinely and ethically interested in the hobby of lock picking to want to be discrete.

Now, I know you asked your question first, but I'd like mine answered first. That's just one of those "Admin trump cards" that they let me play with every now and then.

db

by **omirix** » 22 Oct 2006 16:03

My only reason for being discrete is to keep suspicion down.

I'm no thief; I respect property and expect that respect back. If someone sees a pick set on my desk, and their stuff has been going missing, the only thing they can do is assume.

They do make these picks for a reason. And yes, I'm an ethical person. I have been researching picking for a couple weeks now, but I have been interested for months, if not years. I feel it was time for me to get my hands on some picks, but I don't want people to connect picks with thievery.

by **digital_blue** » 22 Oct 2006 16:10

Hey, now that's a pretty fair answer. And I will answer your question. But first....

Let me make a suggestion that I feel very strongly you should take to heart. Don't take your picks to school. There is really little good that could come from it, and a whole lot of bad. Pick locks at home. It's a great and challenging hobby. School is a bad place to have your picks. For starters, as you've already figured out, there is always the risk that you will be blamed for something even if you didn't do it. It may not be fair, but the fact is that at your age (whatever school-going age that is), you likely have not had the opportunity to gain the kind of credibility that will keep you away from any suspicion. It's just a bad idea.

Now, as for your particular question, I am of the opinion that this is not exactly the greatest pick set, though you CAN learn to pick locks with it. But if you get into this hobby, you'll probably want something else at some point in the not too distant future.

db

P.S. Welcome to the site.

by **omirix** » 22 Oct 2006 16:16

Thanks for the advice.

Perhaps I could trade sets with someone here in the future, if I find it too difficult to pick locks at my current ability with this set.

by **digital_blue** » 22 Oct 2006 17:12

Well... good luck with that.

Truthfully, I'm not certain that anyone who's been at this a while will want the set you bought, but hey, it's not all lost. Like I said, you can learn to pick locks with that set. And then, after a while, you may want to get into making your own tools. That's a lot of fun, and you can end up with exactly what you want.

Cheers,

db

by **Bud Wiser** » 22 Oct 2006 18:29

Pen sets, jack knife sets, credit card sets, wallet sets, etc., are all nice *toys*, and if your like me, a gadget addict, you'll end up with some of them eventually. In fact I have the jack knife set from southern specialties and actually love it despite it's short comings, and there lies the key short comings!

The most important factor in picking locks is to be able to feel what's happening inside the lock. And like electricity the least amount of resistance is preferred. Even commercially sold normal size picks with comfy handles made of plastic and rubber will loose *some* pick feel. There is a trade off but no where near as great as you will get with the pen set. So the problem is with these other toys a considerable amount of pick feel is lost. Not a very good thing when your first starting out and trying to learn. You should buy a regular pick set as soon as possible if your serious in learning. Keep the pen set or return it, either way it's not going to help you much right now.

Good luck and sorry for laughing earlier, I couldn't resist.

by **LockNewbie21** » 23 Oct 2006 17:53

I think there nifty, not very good, but if i had extra scratch i would buy them because i liek buying things.

However Gas prices Limit my spending to gas, morning coffee, and a windshield wiper blade to make some picks

But like Bud said there toys

As far as discrete, I found just being honest was alot better. However it gts annoying becuase people call you becuase there locked out.

So i got a liscence now its not annoying anymore... ends rant :lol:

by **Kaotik** » 23 Oct 2006 17:57

I too am a gadget addict, and I purchase these for mainly aesthetical purposes. As a newbie it will hender your feedback and you may find that the tension wrench/clip will not fit in to most of the common locks around that you will be picking.

Here is the one I have made by Dino:

The original tension I scraped and made a better one from stainless, it is thin enough to get into some of the most restrictive keyways yet wide enough to tension most of the wider non-restrictive one's, and still has the same shape and curvature as the original. Also, a good idea might be to put something like a cotton ball into the chamber to quiet down the rattling of the other picks not in use. It may take some time to get use to, but once you gathe what to feel for inside the lock it will be okay. Eventually look into buying a descent set for learning what to feel.

by **grim** » 23 Oct 2006 18:03

omirix wrote:Perhaps I could trade [pick]sets with someone here in the future, if I find it too difficult to pick locks at my current ability with this set.

i've found that picks are nothing like baseball cards. they tend to be/become a very intimate part of a lock-afficianado's life. all people i know that own their own sets of picks (myself included) tend to dote on them and -- in a sense -- baby them. i suspect that much like auto mechanics or electronics techs (i'm one of these too) typically taking any invasion of "tool space" to be a capital crime (as i do), other lockies are the same way.

so i would say that the chances of you making a trade are not that great. possible, but if i were you, i wouldn't hold my breath.

by **5thcorps** » 23 Oct 2006 19:56

Gadgets such as the pen sets and knife sets are USELESS for beginners. Using these, your skill will not advance as fast as they will with a "regular" pick set.
Get good, then splurge on the toys

by **omirix** » 24 Oct 2006 8:30

Alright. I'll see if it's possible I get a return. The only reason I am more willing to get another set now is what I hear about the tension wrench. If I can't return it, I'll by a few tension wrenches.

Pen Pickset - D-212

Pen Pickset - D-212

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