Newbie Here (Southord question)

[Squelchtone]

Hey Everyone, just wanted to go ahead and introduce myself. Im brand new to picking, its always been something that has interested me but im just now taking the time to really dive into it, and learn about it. So far, this is one hobby i can definitely see myself sticking with!

I am curious though, what do you guys think of the SouthOrd tools? More specifically the PXS-05L kit from them. I bought it, and it seemed decent, i have heard good things online about them, but honestly i have yet to get a single lock open with any of the tools! But i've formed several different types of picks and tension wrenches from thicker paper clips, and ive opened every single lock ive made an attempt on within minutes, and in some cases seconds. Is this the kinda thing where maybe my skill set just isn't developed enough yet? Or are their kits just junk?

I think next i want to invest in the Bogota Entry tools from Serepick, ive seen/heard great things about those, and they just look awesome! And hopefully i can have a little better luck with them.

[Squelchtone]

Southord sets are great, a lot of us started out on then. More than likely you're used from muscle memory to your hand made tools, although I have to say paper clips are a very poor choice. Maybe you're not holding the picks correctly, maybe you're putting to much tension on the tension wrench, who knows. What brand or style of locks are you picking? I will advise that if you're practicing on your own door locks, you will get a lot of grief from people, I mean do what you will, but dont jam pieces of metal into a lock you rely on for your safety and security, sometimes things can go wrong and then you get to take locks apart and fix them or reset them in order for the real key to work again.

But back to the Southord question.. when holding them pinch the picks handle right where the 'blade' of the pick meets the handle, I've seen people holding the back of the handle, which really reduces any feedback you may feel from the pins and springs inside the lock. For tension, if your finger is turning white while pressing on the wrench, then use less pressure. Third, which picks are you using in the locks, and other than just poking picks or paper clips inside, have you studied up on how a lock actually works, and are you mentally visualizing this while picking? One has to know about key pins, driver pins, shear lines, plugs, shells, keyways, warding, springs, and other technical details before just sticking a pick in and hoping that some jiggling will result in a picked open lock.

Keep practicing, don't get discouraged, and let us know what brand or style of keyway you are working on, I'm sure others can lend more advice.

Squelchtone

[calvinism]

Welcom to the forum and hobbie! Hope u njoy it. Ur situation sounds alot like myn. . .my first pick i made was the steel bar under the spacebar on an old keyboard i had. I formed a v bend on the tip and loved it! I got so use2 it that when i made picks outof hacksaw blades (which are realy amazing) i couldnt pic anything. . . .i was way2 use2 my spacebar pick. But when i eventualy got use2 the hacksaw blade picks it was way better! If i look back i always ask myself WHAT WAS I THINKING WITH THAT! New picks take time to get use2. So just be patient and keep picking.

[pratorian]

Southord sets are great, a lot of us started out on then. More than likely you're used from muscle memory to your hand made tools, although I have to say paper clips are a very poor choice. Maybe you're not holding the picks correctly, maybe you're putting to much tension on the tension wrench, who knows. What brand or style of locks are you picking? I will advise that if you're practicing on your own door locks, you will get a lot of grief from people, I mean do what you will, but dont jam pieces of metal into a lock you rely on for your safety and security, sometimes things can go wrong and then you get to take locks apart and fix them or reset them in order for the real key to work again.

But back to the Southord question.. when holding them pinch the picks handle right where the 'blade' of the pick meets the handle, I've seen people holding the back of the handle, which really reduces any feedback you may feel from the pins and springs inside the lock. For tension, if your finger is turning white while pressing on the wrench, then use less pressure. Third, which picks are you using in the locks, and other than just poking picks or paper clips inside, have you studied up on how a lock actually works, and are you mentally visualizing this while picking? One has to know about key pins, driver pins, shear lines, plugs, shells, keyways, warding, springs, and other technical details before just sticking a pick in and hoping that some jiggling will result in a picked open lock.

Keep practicing, don't get discouraged, and let us know what brand or style of keyway you are working on, I'm sure others can lend more advice.

Squelchtone

First of all, thank you for the lengthy response. Much appreciated. Now to try and answer your questions.... I dont really think its a muscle memory issue, i actually started with Southord tools, then on a hunch decided to try a paper clip. I felt like i wasnt able to be precise enough with them. And from everything ive seen i was using the right tools, and techniques. I would switch between the hook, diamond, and rake picks. No avail. So i fashioned my own hook and my own version of a rake, and i was in. Although as far as durability is concerned, i will completely agree that paper clips are a terrible material to make tools from. I keep a leatherman out with me at all times, so i can re-straighten and re-bend all my tools every few minutes.

Also i hold the picks, exactly as you described, again for the preciseness of it. As well the ability to be gentle on the pins. I also read that i should apply very little pressure from the tension wrench, so i try and apply as little as possible. All the while visualizing exactly what im doing inside the lock.

So far my practice locks are a Magnum #240 and a cheapo $3 padlock i picked up from wal-mart the other night. I also had a Master Lock deadbolt i picked up for practice(so no front door play for me!), but got a little to interested in exactly what was inside of it, so its currently out of commission until i find my tweezers to re-pin it.

My best technique so far is this: insert the hook as far as it wil go, tension wrench, apply pressure, then one by one i work each pin back to front, until one clicks, then i start over at the back.

I may not quite know ALL the terminology yet, but i know quite a bit. So far ive read the LockSport International Guide, parts of the CIA guide to Lockpicking, and intend on reading the MIT Guide to LP. And i'm pretty sure ive got a good enough(for this moment. not done learning at all!) understanding thus far as to how the guts of a lock work. Enough that i was actually able to draw some diagrams, and then walk my good friend through picking his first lock today on our ferry ride home!