forte wrote:Okay, so I've looked up and found a set of picks I'm willing to buy.
I've found some books to dig through for the bookworm like myself.
Now the big question is: what do I use to practise from?
So you're willing to plunk down $5 dollars at deal extreme finally?

it amazes me how frugal people are sometimes when it comes to this hobby. Ive heard all sorts of excuses over the years. "I want to get into picking and I have $17 dollars, which pick set do i get?" or "I don't know if I'll like hobby picking so I don't want to spend more than $10 on a set" .. Not to come off too hard on you, but forget the books, you'll learn more here, and you'd learn that there are many posts, even one from this week that tells you where to get locks for cheap. Search function will be your friend here.
craigslist, ebay, and the discount bin at your local locksmith will get you some cheap practice padlocks, mortise and rim cylinders and places like Walmart will get you brand new deadbolts for $12 made by Brinks.
I guess its all a matter of how much you want to invest in this hobby.. I remember when I paid $100 for a Peterson lockpick set, and I didnt think twice, it was worth it.
your mileage will vary, welcome to the club.
Squelchtone