Spring Steel vs. Stainless

[bosadabiz]

I've been using spring steel lockpicks for a while, and I know there are ones made of stainless steel as well. I'm kind of wondering what's better, and the benefits and problems of both types. Any help is appreciated.

[Dragunov-21]

I believe that springsteel is well, springier,

I think it's tempered so that it's stronger, but not as tough, meaning that it is less likely to bend, but more likely to break...

[jamesphilhulk2]

there are loads for threads on this if you use the search button

[acestor]

Try this

viewtopic.php?t=22608&start=0

to begin your search.

[Eyes_Only]

Cheaper stainless steel picks like those made by SO will bend much quicker than a decent spring steel pick from my experience. Although HPC makes some real good stainless steel picks that I keep in my set.

[bosadabiz]

Good to know. Thanks

[Charlie511]

I was useing both materials. Now i prefer stainless steel. its better work, the stainless is harder then nonst. and looks better.

[CartooN_NetworK]

I prefer stainless myself. Spring steel tends to bend and get jagged if u catch it on a nasty lock; as spring steel shims tend to do

[nisnskyline]

Guess it would just just depend on your preference if you were going to buy a set...but if you were making a set; I like hack saw blades. easy to obtain and work with. There cheap. Break it and and toss it...and start over. With making your own you could then experiment with tempering. or my personal favorite...cryogenic treatment. Then you can get feel you want from the picks.

[maintenanceguy]

All spring steels are not the same and all stainless steels are not the same.

The percentage of different metals in the steel and the way the steel was tempered effect hardness, elasticity, brittleness, etc. I think it's the brand that matters since two brands might both use stainless but the choice of stainless could be very different.

[dmux]

i like stainless the best but also street sweeper bristles are made from pretty good steel