When it comes down to it there is nothing better than manual tools for your Lock pick Set, whether they be retail, homebrew, macgyver style. DIY'ers look here.
I did not know that ILCO made any lock picks. I could only find this single image--a hook pick for sale at Foley Belsaw. It appears too deep and large t be useful, and there are no dimensions (esp. thickness) given. I was curious if they made a basic pick set. Anyone ever try one? Good quality? The website gives a sale price of $1. Pete Sioux Falls, SD
They call it a deep hook. A lot of pickers refer to it as a Gonzo. (after the muppet). I have one, too. But almost never use it because it needs a very wide open keyway to fit.
Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
I also grew up with HPC. They were the only ones available when I was a kid in the 80s. (I ordered them from an ad in the back of a Soldier of Fortune magazine).
At this price, I ordered a few of the ILCO, just to check them out. I can use them as "pick stock" to make my own "Gem" style picks. I thought maybe I'd polish, thin, and cut them down for useful projects.
seen Ilco picks in their price books but never in person. As a hobbyist, I bought southord, sparrows, peterson...but for work as a locksmith you can't beat HPC.
"I tried smoking a blank once. I was never able to keep the tip lit long enough to inhale." - ltdbjd
The ILCO picks arrived. Good quality. Stamped steel. About .025" thickness... same as the HPC. Certainly worth $1 each and they'll be fine after ahaping and polishing. Pete
