What is the Best pick brand?

[eurolock fan]

I've been thinking of buying a new set of picks what is the best brand of picks? Also I've been thinking of getting a Falle Safe set.

[unlisted]

I think its pretty much individual preference, I have heard good things about HPC thou..

I'm sure someone else will chime in...

[Kayvon]

I don't know that I can tell you the "best" brand of picks, but...

I've recently had some success finding the cheapest picks I could buy (from lockpicktools.com--I like them) and sanding them down with progressive grit of sandpaper until they're very shiny and smooth.

I was inspired after seeing NL21's (NewbieLock21?) homemade picks. They're so shiny!

[Kayvon]

Oops... LockNewbie21's picks. (I got the name backwards.)

[Anero]

you'll find most people here prefer homebrews mainly due to the time and quality people put into making their picks.

as far as commercial picks tho i like Petersons, some will agree other wont, it's all a personal preference.

[dougfarre]

you'll find most people here prefer homebrews mainly due to the time and quality people put into making their picks.

I would have to say that I prefer homemade picks better, because they work better, last longer, and the designs are constantly being upgraded. Time and quality that people put into them are just a by-product.

[Eyes_Only]

I use mainly Petersons. Although how well a certain pick brand works ultimately depends on how skilled you are.

[cool-arrow]

I've been thinking of buying a new set of picks what is the best brand of picks? Also I've been thinking of getting a Falle Safe set.

Peterson is the best and unrivaled in quality and durability, best for the price and assortment hands down HPC. Falle's are nice quality but limited in there designs.

[eurolock fan]

Where are Majestic, HPC, and, Peterson picks made? I know that Southord are American and Falle Safe are English.

[Eyes_Only]

I think those three are made in the US.

[LockNewbie21]

Petersons- are crap in spring steal, there thick, and take to much time to finish to a good standard. Never tried there stainless, but for the price.. I will just make ones that will walk all over them.

HPC's- are okay, again I have the spring steals there OK, after sanding, not near as much as petersons.

Southord- can't complain, good price, picks need sanding but there good, there tubular picks suck though.. there made of brass be mindful.

Lockpicktools- They spam youtube, there grips look uncomfortable, but they are cheap so people will buy them.

Falle's- OVERPRICED your paying for the name and Burs to go with them.

All comercial tools are good becuase there cheap they end. But sand them becuase yes they will rip a lock apart.
Homemade tools are for serious or skilled manipulators, why? Because they understand what lengths it takes to make them, and why those lengths are taken.


Ln21

[cool-arrow]

Petersons- are crap in spring steal, there thick, and take to much time to finish to a good standard. Never tried there stainless, but for the price.. I will just make ones that will walk all over them.

HPC's- are okay, again I have the spring steals there OK, after sanding, not near as much as petersons.

Southord- can't complain, good price, picks need sanding but there good, there tubular picks suck though.. there made of brass be mindful.

Lockpicktools- They spam youtube, there grips look uncomfortable, but they are cheap so people will buy them.

Falle's- OVERPRICED your paying for the name and Burs to go with them.

All comercial tools are good becuase there cheap they end. But sand them becuase yes they will rip a lock apart.
Homemade tools are for serious or skilled manipulators, why? Because they understand what lengths it takes to make them, and why those lengths are taken.


Ln21

Southord over HPC and Peterson LOL, you must have had a bad experience and some really bad luck with your orders. I don't know any locksmiths that would seriously buy anything else besides the "Best". The simple fact is that hombrews flew to much for me and the feedback is sloppy. I think it depends more of the application. If you are using them to sit at your desk and pick locks for a you tube video, anything will work and probably last a very long time. If you are using your picks for work and have to be outside in the elements and picking locks that require more persuasion due to corrosion. You are going to need a higher quality pick that can stand up to some abuse. Also durability of the handles is another factor that isn't really taken into hobby picking. I think it all depends on the application and what you are actually doing to consider what is the "Best Pick". The question is as broad as asking what is the "Best Car"? If you are a race car driver maybe its a fast car, construction worker-truck, locksmith-Mercedes sprinter van, baja driver modified Toyota truck. I think it really comes down to what works for you, so its really more of a Personal question. The "Best Pick" is the Bogota Rake : )

[LockNewbie21]

Mate I do know real Life lockouts well, as its my Trade along with metal working and such.


My observations where Blunt, Perterson says hands down best finish and lock ready? That is a lie.

In fact If need be I have my City set here, I have not filed some and other where finished to a homebrew or professional standard. I will post them With a 5, 10, or heck 15X jewlers scope.

Point is, when I do a lock out like now in winter, I don't want to ruin the lock with saw like burs as other tradesman know, 3am lockouts to a gummed up schlage KIK and deadbolt ar enot fun.

So I was not insulting any company.

And they were posted as they came to my head, theres no numerical order of qulaity, its just a random list.

If you supply any of the tools above I meant no insult to you, simply given an honest opinion.

And Yes, my Homebrew tools finish and design will walk all over them, thats based on other opinions not my own, I would say there fine.


So again, for anyone reading, comercial tools you will have to sand, and they work just fine. I happen to be picky. But all the companys above can open locks and yes each time I ordered my tools them came no problem.

LN21

[LockNewbie21]

Also cool-arrow, my post sounded a bit offensive. Please do not take it in that manner.

Mearly both our posts exibit our points. Its personal taste.

And Also as you said, Application, which I fully agree.


Also mate, with the petersons, how does the spring steal perterson tools hold up? Is it thicker or the same as there spring steal?

I ask because I may yet purchase the smallest spring steal kit to have a go.

Just wanted to clarify as it is only text on a screen that no insult ws intended towards you.

Take care guys.

LN21

[LockDFTR]

Yeah, it all comes down to a person's preference, based on skill level, and the application.
Newer people to lockpicking will do fine with southord, HPC, or even LPT.com. The better I got over the years, the more I understood what I wanted in a set of picks. And I appreciated the quality of a better made tool on the job.

I had, or currently have just about every brand of pick out there. I have used peterson's mostly over the last 3 years. I have been using a set from LockNewbie21 for a little while now. In my opinion, these are the best picks I have used. But again, it's all about who is using them, and what you use them for.
So far, from picking a cylinder on my couch, to opening a frozen padlock on a garage in 10 degree temps, my new picks have passed the test.