Review: LAB picks

[PickPick]

Ever since Jiemme showed me his LABs I wanted to have some, too and since they came with the mail yesterday I thought I'd post a little bit about my first impressions.

I got the 11 piece set from lockpicks.com. With 6 double sided picks, 3 different normal tensioners and a fork-style tensioner you get all you need. The only real criticism I have is the case, it's probably been made from the thinnest cheapest nylon they could get and is not adequate protection for the delicate picks.

Also, while I can really recommend the set in general it's not for newbies. The picks are thin and delicate and bend easiely.

But they are lovely these picks. While they don't have an additional handle and a rather short "grabbing area" they are nice and comfortable to hold and use. You can also use the additional slip on vinyl grip but I liked them the way they are. They have a good smooth finish, not shiny and mirror-like but better than any commercial pick I got fresh-out-of-the-box until now. And they don't need a lo of space so they're a good addition to another pickset
I'm mostly a spp picker so I enjoy the different hook sizes but the rakes look nice too. The feedback is good and the thin shapes make it easy to work in funky keyways.

Now for the tension wrenches. I'm a sucker for good tension wrenches and this was the first time I got a commercial set and didn't feel like throwing away the junk metal the manufacturer threw in with the picks.
In fact LAB put some thought into the tensioner design as well. Three different sizes, neither too big nor too soft and the twists are in all the right places.

The car tensioner seems ok as well and while I don't have a use for the shiny black vinyl grip, at least it has a certain fetish appeal.

I give it 4 out of 5 pins.

[Pilot2242]

Hello PickPick,

I've just sent away for the LAB 11 Piece Mini Pick Set.

They look verry nice, I like how the picks are double ended, this means you

can switch picks quicker. Also it makes the set more compact but still with a fair amount

of picks.

when i receive them i will give my review here, If thats ok with you PickPick?

[JackNco]

I have considered the Lab picks before. but i was put off by the grips. i usually rest the back of the pick in the inside of my index finger or on against the inside between my index finger and thumb.

All the best

John

[NDEFreak]

Although they don't appear to be overly popular, they usually get good reviews (from what I have seen). Obviously, you only really here about HPC, Petersen, Southord, Majestic because they started out making picks from the beginning. LAB make their money from pinning kits, I think the picks they sell are good and they seem to be made with the "feel" picker in mind as there are more hooks than there are rakes. In alot of other commercial sets there seem to be more rakes than hooks. Having said that, there are a few people that have said the steel they make the picks out of could be a little harder and treated accordingly to prevent them bending easily. The other bonus with the LAB picks is that they are relatively compact (being double ended) and they are made from thinner stock and so can be maneuvered around keyways easier.

[LockNewbie21]

I am sure there great.

But with no handels? heck no! I am sorry I just adapted to picks with handels and can open locks jsut as fast.

Basically my point is, I hate hate HATE! when you are dealing with a sticky lock and the picks bend in your hand.

But if they work then there good for you hope every thing goes well wiht your new set mate