Southord PXS-05L on European locks

[peto1234]

Hello, newbie here. I've been interested in locks for a while now and I would like to learn how to pick them just for hobby. I have opportunity to get picking set Southord PXS-05L, but I've read that it is designed for U.S locks. Do you think whether they can be also applied to European locks? I know there is set Southord C500EZ that is designed for European locks, but these ones aren't sold anywhere in my country, so I'm wondering about PXS-05L.

Thanks in advance.

Have a nice day.

[Pickmequick]

What kind of european locks?

They would be useless on a chubb detainer but fine on euro standard pin cylinder.

[peto1234]

Thank you for your response.

I would like to practice on standard euro cylinder.

Are you sure the picks will fit in? From what I've read, european locks are thinner than U.S. locks, therefore slimmer picks are required. Currently I'm afraid that if I will buy it, it won't fit and picks would be useless. As a beginner I don't want to buy expensive set, because I don't know for how long this hobby will last. But if it will last for long, someday I would definitely buy better pick set.

[MrAnybody]

Hello, newbie here. I've been interested in locks for a while now and I would like to learn how to pick them just for hobby. I have opportunity to get picking set Southord PXS-05L, but I've read that it is designed for U.S locks. Do you think whether they can be also applied to European locks? I know there is set Southord C500EZ that is designed for European locks, but these ones aren't sold anywhere in my country, so I'm wondering about PXS-05L.

Thanks in advance.

Have a nice day.

Welcome to the forum.

I'd recommend that you go for a set that's made for European locks.

The issue is that the keyways in European locks are narrower than many American locks. The PXS sets will be OK for you in many cases, but you'll find that you would not have as much room for maneuver as you'd like. While the PXS sets may be stronger (as the picks are slightly thicker), you may also find you'd break them easier as you begin to practice.

I'm curious which European country you're living, and why you can't get a slimline set shipped to you. I'd think we could find some suggestions for you if we knew the country you are living. Anyway, just a thought.

[peto1234]

While the PXS sets may be stronger (as the picks are slightly thicker), you may also find you'd break them easier as you begin to practice.

So then european version(C set) is even more fragile and there's chance I would break picks more easily, right? Then my logic says it is better for beginner to choose stronger picks

I'm curious which European country you're living, and why you can't get a slimline set shipped to you. I'd think we could find some suggestions for you if we knew the country you are living. Anyway, just a thought.

I live in Slovakia. I searched all e-shops in Slovakia, but just one sells pick sets. From cheaper ones(up to 30 euro), these ones are availables:
- Southord PXS-05L
- Southord DSS-4
- HPC Emergency
- Southord 13 set(don't know its code, you can look here http://www.zamocnicke-potreby.sk/sub/za ... -13-61.jpg)
- Southord MPXS-11

[MrAnybody]

While the PXS sets may be stronger (as the picks are slightly thicker), you may also find you'd break them easier as you begin to practice.

So then european version(C set) is even more fragile and there's chance I would break picks more easily, right? Then my logic says it is better for beginner to choose stronger picks

OK I see the what you're saying, but it's not necessarily the case. Most of the time, picks breaking are more dependent on the user, and beginners usually have a heavy hand rather than a gentle hand. The more you feel restricted in narrow keyways, I'd suggest that there's more chance of pick breakages with a beginners hand.

SouthOrd Slimlines are an average good quality of picks, and are not "fragile" or that "there's chance I would break picks more easily".

With that said, I think all picks have advantages and disadvantages, but I'd still go with my previous recommendation. Then again, it's all up to you.

The SouthOrd 13 set you link to is made by Majestic.

Do you have any options to buy online from neighbouring countries?

[MrAnybody]

I live in Slovakia. I searched all e-shops in Slovakia, but just one sells pick sets. From cheaper ones(up to 30 euro), these ones are availables:
- Southord PXS-05L
- Southord DSS-4
- HPC Emergency
- Southord 13 set(don't know its code, you can look here http://www.zamocnicke-potreby.sk/sub/za ... -13-61.jpg)
- Southord MPXS-11

Does this help you?: http://www.zamocnicke-potreby.sk/akciov ... ord-c1510/

Or this: https://www.google.sk/search?q=Southord ... MQpwUoATgK

There are also options to buy from other European countries and pay a little extra for shipping to Slovakia.

[Squelchtone]

So then european version(C set) is even more fragile and there's chance I would break picks more easily, right? Then my logic says it is better for beginner to choose stronger picks

Picks are not pry bars, they are tools that require skill and a gentle touch. If you are bending or breaking picks, then you are doing it wrong. Most picks are made of strong metal, some are just thinner to get into smaller or more restricted keyways, but that does not mean they are fragile and will break easily.

As a beginner you will probably bend or break most of your wrenches and picks, my first set was a regular USA Southord pick set and I bent or broke all of them, so the best advice we can give you is start with a small basic set and spend < $25 After you learn proper technique and how much or how little pressure is needed to pick a lock, then you can buy a nicer pick set.

Squelchtone

[peto1234]

Do you have any options to buy online from neighbouring countries?

I think I can buy only from british or french amazon. Other countries don't ship to Slovakia.

Does this help you?: http://www.zamocnicke-potreby.sk/akciov ... ord-c1510/

I think it's too expensive for beginning. I would like to buy something cheaper and later I would decide If I want better pick set.

I just found MPXS-08 set on french amazon for reasonable price, but I can't find anywhere that for which locks is it designed for. Do you guys have any idea? Would it be better choice than PXS-05L?

[Squelchtone]

Or you can buy from the forum's sponsor http://www.lockpickshop.com/MPXS-08.html

=)

Don't buy the PXS-05L it is too basic and you don't need the book if you have this forum.


As far as which locks picks will open, it does not work like that. You're thinking about this as if there is a list of locks the normal picks open and a list of locks that the slim/euro picks will open, there is no such list. if you want to open most of the locks on the planet get the euro/slim set, because it will fit into more tight keyways, if you just want to open locks like Master, Kwikset, Schlage, Medeco, ABUS, you can get by with normal size picks.

Squelchtone

[MrAnybody]

I just found MPXS-08 set on french amazon for reasonable price, but I can't find anywhere that for which locks is it designed for. Do you guys have any idea? Would it be better choice than PXS-05L?

Searching Amazon.fr also brings up a 9 piece Slimline set: http://www.amazon.fr/Southord-Pi%C3%A8c ... 219&sr=8-2 A 9

How about that?

[boggif]

C801 set should be pretty good to get started.

One possibility might be ordering directly from Southord which would allow you to pick up spares for the most used ones you're likely to bend first. (Short hook and the small diamond) Other than that, I'd not worry too much on bending them, hey are not that fragile.

[peto1234]

Thanks guys for your advices. I ordered C500 and now can't wait when they arrive

[casper111]

Hello
I live in Ireland and saw a good deal on a 22 piece slimline pick set on the UK Ireland Amazon. The problem is I'm not sure how the Customs, postman and guards (Irish police) would see it. I really don't want any trouble. When the package arrives what would the postman say? What will the description say? Could he alert the police. Help is appreciated.

[MrAnybody]

Hello
I live in Ireland and saw a good deal on a 22 piece slimline pick set on the UK Ireland Amazon. The problem is I'm not sure how the Customs, postman and guards (Irish police) would see it. I really don't want any trouble. When the package arrives what would the postman say? What will the description say? Could he alert the police. Help is appreciated.

Welcome to the forum, casper.

You don't have to worry. Possession of lockpicks is not a criminal offence in Ireland as far as I'm aware.

However, if you get stopped by the police and you have them in your possession, you better be ready to answer why you'd be truckin around with them in the middle of the night. You could be charged with "going equipped" if your actions are deemed as suspicious, there's been a local B&E, or the plod involved is just having a bad day.

Receiving a package of "locksmith tools" is also not an issue in Ireland as far as I'm aware. Various retailers have different ways of saying it on a customs form, but it's all very mundane such as "hobby tools", "locksmith tools" or even "metal samples". Even if they did say "lock picks", you'll still be fine. There is nothing against the law in being a hobby picker.