(Very small) Review & Questions on SO Pagoda Set

[fgarci03]

Hey.

I have a Southord Pagoda Set. They are basicaly an immitation of Raimundo's Bogotas.
There is another post about this here but since I have a few questions, I believe it's ok to begin another thread. If not, feel free to delete it

Although they have a good overall quality, the handles aren't so great. The original Bogotas have absolutely great handles (not talking about the quality, but the ergonomy and user-friendly build of them). So, even if I don't regret buying these, today I would have bought (or made) the original ones.


Now the questions!!
Here's an image of the set:

So, I'd like to know exactly what some of these are used for.
The triple hump is the one I use mostly. But there is also the double and single hump. What situations may I say these are good for if I have the triple hump?
And about the double+one hump? And de single+two humps? And the one with two humps separated?

I mean, every lock I managed to open with any of these, I could also do it with the triple hump. So are they for specific configurations? Or it's a matter of taste?

There is also a rake(?) - the fourth from the left. Is it just a regular rake? I use it as such and obtain the same results as with other rakes... But does it have other uses?

Then there is a hook look alike. I use it to pick tubular locks and as a hook in regular pin tumblers, but having a tip so pointy, it makes me wonder if that's the proper use for it, or it's intended for other stuff (in the image you don't notice, but it really has a pointy tip. Not rounded or flat like regular hooks).

In the end, I basicaly use only 4 picks: the deforest, the rake, the hook and the triple hump. But I don't know if I'm using the rake and the hook as it's intended to do so or not.
What are your insights on this?

[daniel22747]

I have this set too and yes there are some very strange picks in here. I too would like to know if anyone has specific knowledge of how some of the really weird ones are intended to be used.

That said- the three wave and two wave are amazing. They open many lock really fast, including some locks that are a real by any other tool I have tried.

That long flat rake is really great for over lifting spool pins.

Not sure about anything else. Obviously many can be used in the same way as the three and two wave picks. I guess those one that have waves way far back on them would be used on a lock that is unusually long.

I don't mind the handles but I'm sure true Bogotas are better over all. However I don't know anyone who sells Bogotas.

[MrAnybody]

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What are your insights on this?

At one time I also thought about the Pagoda set when SouthOrd brought them out, but thankfully I decided against them in favour of Raimundo's originals for a couple of reasons I won't get into. I say that to let you know that I can't compare the 2, but I'll give you my opinion nonetheless and approach some of your questions.

First off, have a look at this page. It's a pretty good review of the original Bogotas that will give you some insight into the differences in the original designs. As SouthOrd have chosen to rip-off Ria's designs I'd imagine it will be useful to your questions.

The different spacing in picks 1,2, 5, 6, and 7 (from left to right) are designed to deal with different possible high/low sequences in pins. Saying that, you can get locks that gives similar results with 1 or more of those picks. In other words, if you don't get a rapid result with one, then try another.

Pick 4 is a crazy design I'm not really sure I'd like. Yes, it's a rake and is to be used like any other rake, but the raising tip is odd, and I'd imagine could make insertion difficult. I could be wrong, and you're in a better position to say anything on that, but it's just my own thought.

Pick 8 to me just looks like a hook of sorts. Pick 9 is very similar to a deforest/dogleg/offset or whatever else it's called according to whichever manufacturer. This is intended to reach a high pin sitting behind a low pin. I've no idea why SouthOrd would include them in this set (same goes for pick 4), but there you go. All these 3 have no association with rai's designs. Mind you, he did do (may still do) a deforest pick with his style of handle on.

SouthOrd's designs also have nowhere near the rounded edges of Rai's and I also saw one review that suggested that their versions of the Monserrate-Fore and Monserrate-Aft may even be too far spaced to do a good job on 5 pins. You'd be a better judge of that though.

Hopefully, my opinion is not put a downer on your purchase, Filipe. I'm sure they work just fine since SouthOrd went to the trouble of designing them.

Just my 2 cents And I hope it can go some way to clear some of your questions.

[MrAnybody]

However I don't know anyone who sells Bogotas.

Riamundo sells his Bogota picks (handmade customs and machine cut) through serepick.com. There are also some other resellers that mostly sell the titanium pair or a 6 set, but those are not handmade, and don't have the handmade quality of Raimundo's customs.

You can also contact Riamundo directly. All other makers are mere duplicates of his original designs. He doesn't hang out on this forum so much now, but you can send him a PM. He is extremely helpful, but his health is not so good lately. Be patient if you do PM. I only know of people (including myself) who speak very highly of his work.

[fgarci03]

And I hope it can go some way to clear some of your questions.

They are cleared indeed. And then some!

if you don't get a rapid result with one, then try another.

Well, I used to do that in the begining (not with the Pagodas, but with all picks in general). Then I learned it was me and not the picks that were wrong! But it this case, it makes sense!

the raising tip is odd, and I'd imagine could make insertion difficult.

Well, it's not as difficult as it may seem. Sometimes it gives a bit of a struggle but then I got used to insert it without effort. It also depends on the keyway of course.

SouthOrd's designs also have nowhere near the rounded edges of Rai's

Yes, that's one of the things I noticed. It didn't give me much trouble, but I've never used a real Bogota to compare so I will probably be amazed when I do!

Hopefully, my opinion is not put a downer on your purchase, Filipe. I'm sure they work just fine since SouthOrd went to the trouble of designing them.

Nope! I've been thinking of getting "the real thing" for a while. So now, (when I have time) I'm going to try to round the edges of the picks and sand them a bit more. But I'm probably gonna buy Raimundo's originals. For every reason. Design, shape, handles, etc. They aren't bad but... They aren't great either

Thank you so much

[Bob Jim Bob]

Get some of Raimundo's bogotas and some Legion 303 picks and give the cheap picks to a friend to get them interested. They really are that much better.

[IndigoChild]

http://theamazingking.com/bogota.php Here is all you need to know. The bogota and the half diamond (single hump) are the two popular because of their versitility. The monstrate aft and for picks are the 3 hump with the gap and those are good for where the half diamond and the bogota dont work too well. You also have two two humps one is a two hump bogota for smaller locks and one is a sabana, the one with the gap. all of them are for scrubbing or raking but the half diamond works quite well for SPP infact I think its the best design for spp. The two picks on the right are hook and deforrest which are both spp picks that work better in different situations. then you have a pick in there that has 3 peaks with a hook at the tip and a flat bottom side that looks to be a L-Snake rake. not good for scrubbing but works well with raking.

[fgarci03]

Yes, I've seen that website. Thank you for the help!