Types of tension wrenches when to use?

[unlocke]

I have exactly 5 of them. 3 regular and 2 of the kind where the head is twisted 90 degrees (what are those called). Each is wrench is thicker and slightly smaller or larger. My questions is does it matter what type I use? I read that depending on the type of lock I should use a different tension wrench.

I'm partial to a regular tension wrench with the large top, I don't like long tension wrenches. They are thin and very weak and I'm not used to them, and with padlocks large force is need to open the lock when done picking. I can feel more feedback on my finger with the normal wrenchl. The 90 degree wrenches give me an edge to feel compared to the whole piece of metal. Not sure of their use but they work better sometimes.

I'm curious if I should modify what I'm doing based on what I'm picking. Otherwise I'd use 2 tension wrenches only. The other ones with the smaller head 2mm vs 1.5mm I'd guess are very thin, not used to trying them. Any advice? Thanks.

[Solomon]

It's called a twistflex. Some people like them because they're comfier to use for long periods of time, but I don't really notice... you shouldn't be applying enough torque to make that an issue, to be honest. The main differences, as far as I'm concerned, are the type of feedback you get from the pins and how much you can fine-tune the tension you're using. I find that standard tension wrenches feel quite stiff and give better feedback, especially with security pins... although I find it easier to overcome those pins with a twistflex, because it's so much easier to control the tension and fine-tune it.

Twistflex-style wrenches give you a lightly springy feedback and make it easier to apply ultra-light tension... and, as I already said, they also allow you to vary the tension you're using very slightly, whereas with standard TW's this can be more challenging. Thanks to this, they're handy for "reverse picking", a technique used mainly with padlocks from what I gather.

When using a twistflex, I tend to hold it around the middle and slide my finger further up if I need stiffer tension, and fiurther down if I need to be able to adjust it by a hair. Hope this helps.

[adrenalynn]

Good call, IMHO.

I use them as a general rule because of the variable tension I can get (I rest my whole finger against it so I can "choke up" a bit just by flexing the finger) and because I like the feedback. Also with security pins if you vibrate the twist a little it seems to amplify the period - less work for more, faster than I'd be comfortable with otherwise. They also let you back off the tension in minute amounts even when you've been at it awhile and your finger dexterity is deteriorating from the time you've been holding it awkwardly.

[vap0r]

It's mostly personal preference. However, some types of tension wrenches fit better and allow better feel than others depending on the shape/size/design.

[unlocke]

Thanks, that covers it. Leave the twistflex wrenches for locks that need lighter amounts of tension. I have only a few locks that need that little tension, otherwise I prefer a normal tension wrench. I have a thin tension wrench can be used for tiny keyways but the thinner the wrench the less I can feel.