Buying Southord "Slightly Blemished" 32 pc pick se

[HenrySugar]

I'm starting out with lockpicking (in South Africa). Southord offers (when their MS SQL server works ...) their 32 piece lock pick set (http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-MPXS-32.html), made from "slightly blemished" steel, at US$42. I really don't care what they look like.
Should I purchase this, or will it interfere with picking. While I'm on that point, how do I measure the locks in my area/shops, to determine whether I need slimline picks?

Thanks!

[freakparade3]

The blemished picks for sale are listed as blemished only because the metal does not have the correct finish. It will not affect picking in any way. As far as measuring to see if you need slimline picks, I don't know. I do know that if you are in doubt as to wether you need them, order slimline picks. They will work on narrow keyway locks as well as what I have seen refered to here as "american" style keyways.

[stilte]

What kind of locks do you have?

[zeke79]

If you are in the US and just starting out I would recommend a smaller set of standard southords. Later when you get the basics of picking down and become less heavy handed you can buy a set of slim lines.

[HenrySugar]

... (in South Africa) ...

I would guess that there are all sorts of locks from around the world around here. Many front doors are still simple lever locks (which I used to "pick" with 3 pieces of wire as a kid), most are some sort of tumbler ( probably cheap, simple ones ). I have seen a small Abloy padlock once, my car has a gear lock with a thick, double-sided key, vending machines, lifts and other doors have tubular locks.

[cracksman]

If you want to spend the money go ahead and buy it, blemishes won't affect picking. A 32 piece set seems like overkill to me, you probably will only use 3 or 4 of them at most. It will allow you to find out what works best for you though.

Southords are decent picks, but I find them a bit uncomfortable. I actually used to use a bit of electrical tape around the handles for comfort. I do like their wrenches, I still use them often.

If money is not a problem, go for it, but I think a 11 piece slimline set would be more than enough. I found that I spent a lot of money trying to get the right picks, not because mine were bad, I just didn't have the talent. I now use a couple of hooks and a few wrenches, about $20 dollars worth. I've got $450 worth of picks sitting somewhere in my closet

If you give us the name brands of some locks in your area we could be a lot more help about whether you need slimlines.

Best of luck and happy picking

[stilte]

You could start off with a standard 8-pcs set, and get a slimline hook and triangle separately, should be more than enough to pick most locks that you've got.

[d_goldsmith]

If I was you, I would use the money you were going to spend on picks to buy a grinder. Then get some hacksaw blades and make your own picks. You can use old used windshield wiper blades and nales to make tension wrenches. And when you make your own, you can very them to your liking.

[d_goldsmith]

And you can use the grinder for other stuff.

[Schuyler]

I bought the same set and was vaguely happy with it. It has helped me to understand which picks I work best with, and led me to purchase individual picks, not included in the set, which are now my daily drivers.

It is nice to have so many, however, as I turned around and gave a whole pile to my mother to play with. You'll have a lot of duplicate pieces, so don't think that you're getting 32 unique tools.

[HenrySugar]

I'll make a list of locally available locks in the next few days. Can you give me an example of what type of grinder to look for, and its price range? I think I should start off with a few commercial (ie. bought somewhere) picks to get an idea of possible modifications.

[Romstar]

The grinder is easy.

1/2 - 3/4 horse power, double sided 5 or 6 inch bench grinder. Pick your brand.

Most people look for something cheap. I've seen them so cheap in the US that its cheaper to throw it away and buy a new one than it is to buy replacement wheels for it.

There are a few posts here showing the usual type of grinder in use.

Romstar