newbie picks

[steve09]

hiya got intrested in lockpicking along time ago joined this forum but never had cash for picks,,
could someone suggest a set for me to buy too get me started i want to learn to be able to pick the locks like yale locks, but ill start simpel, im goign to college for 10weeks in norfolk soo i have many bored hours after college in my dorm so may as well practis hehe
also wht books are there that are good guides,
cheers
steve

[Fasthands]

i could make some suggestions, get a cheap jacknife set from The Seals Store in florida, or for German suppliers. Or you could just make them......

[steve09]

will a jacknife set have everything i need?i was looking at some of the 14 peice sets or is that more thani need atm?
cheers
steve

[Guesss]

i don't personally but from the information tha i have gatered you will be happier witht he 14 piece set. i have heard the jack knives are alright but they aren't the best for beginers because they don't provide as much feed back as nomal picks. I think you have the right idea with buying the 14 piece set it should be a great beginer set.

[Fasthands]

yes jacknife sets have everything you need, picks and wrenches.
as for the feeling, i never noticed any differences. it all depends on what you want to start with.
they're available for 20 to 30 $US or 30 Euro.

[master in training]

i've never even touched a jackknife, but from what i've heard, almost eveyone says that they have less feedback when compared with normal picks. i would recommend getting a normal set to start with, if will definatly have everything you need to get started. if you really want a jack knife set later, you can always buy one futher down the line.

as for the books, there is a set sold that has 5 pieces and a book called "easy pickings" or something like that. it is utter rubbish. DO NOT buy that set just for the book, you can find out everything it tells you on this site and much more besides. if you are looking for something to teach you to pick, get your hands on a copy of the MIT guide, its free, so google it. if you then watch the videos about picking on http://www.howstuffworks.com you will learn a lot as well. if theres anything else you need to know do a few searches of the site and you will almost always find what you want.

good luck and happy picking! if you need anything, everyone on the site will be happy to help add me to msn if you like, after all, im still a bit of a noob too!


~ Master in Training ~

[bubbashitz]

M in M is 100% on the mark. The 5 piece set and a book called "easy pickings" can be obtained for like 20 dollars U$. I have helped a few friends start in this sport with that deal. Simply can't be beat !!

[bubbashitz]

Master in Training = M in T .............. Sorry about that.

[master in training]

i actually said not to buy it

but thats only going on what i've heard about it, i've never looked at it myself.

i recommned getting a normal set of say 14 picks or something, depending on what you can afford, all the info on picking contained in the book will be on this website, what you're effectively paying $10 can be obtained for free.

if bubbashitz is right and its that good, then go for it, like i said, im just saying what i've heard about it.

[stick]

I was sent a free copy of Easy Pickings with my first picks. It is complete trash. I looked through it a few days ago, and I was shocked... The first "method" it teaches is to insert something flat and lift all the pins at once until the lock unlocks. Apparently, lifting single pins and raking are two other, "less common" forms of lock picking.

[kodierer]

Anytime you order southord picks they send you a free copy of Easy Pickings it doesn't matter what it is as long as it is a pickset. The 14 piece set costs $25, the 5 Piece costs $15. You will pay about $5 shipping for either. I believe the 14 piece would be the better deal. DON"T TRY TO PUT ON THE VINYL SLIP COVERS THEY ARE GARBAGE. The easy pickings book is a starter, but not a good one. It is more of a reference for what the tools that southord sells do. You get just as good of an explanation from the MIT guide, in fact a far better one, on how to pick locks. The book secrets of lockpicking is also decent, but not as good. Blaze also has a beginners text which is pretty good. Be your own judge.
Also if lockpickshop has the 14 piece I hear that code lp101 is a discount code.
On the subject of Jacknives I have one, and it doesn't transfer feel as well, but it does work. Although they aren't good for beginners, I do have a friend who learned on one.