SouthOrd C1510 Lock Pick Set for $40 Total: Should I Buy?

[john.doe]

Hi all,

I'm just starting lock picking. I've messed around with homemade picks and had fun picking with them, but I want to buy an actual set of picks to learn with. I'm still really new to the hobby, so I don't need or want anything fancy. I was looking at the SouthOrd C1510 lock pick set, and it looks pretty good and is also recommended in the FAQ. I just have three questions:

1) Is this still a good lock pick set to buy? Is there a different set I should look into, or will this do well for me?
2) Is $40 (total) a good price to pay for the set? It's the cheapest I've found including shipping, but maybe I haven't looked hard enough. Moreover, I want to make sure I understand the value of the set, as—again—I'm new to this.
3) Is it a good idea to get the slim picks over the standard thickness? Will these be any harder to use in American locks?

I've enjoyed picking locks so far, and it'll be nice to move up from homemade picks to something a bit more sturdy. Thanks for your help!

[tjweaver84]

If you go to the SouthOrd outlet on the website they have blemished items for cheaper like the 22 piece slimline for $41 and the 32 piece regular for $47. I have the 32 piece from there and I have no problems with it and it was significantly less expensive than the regular price. Slim line will work in US locks and is easier to use in some keyways since they are thinner.

[john.doe]

That seems rather nice. What exactly do they mean by slightly blemished, though? Is it anything that would affect the usability of the picks?

[Olson Burry]

I had some "slightly" blemished ones from SO a while ago and I couldn't find anything wrong with them, so I'd go for it.

[LocksmithArmy]

I've enjoyed picking locks so far, and it'll be nice to move up from homemade picks to something a bit more sturdy. Thanks for your help!

if your homemade picks arnt up to your standards... make more...

thats the beauty of home made... you can make em agin lol

you say move up from homemade bu ive found mass produced 1s arnt an upgrade...

there are many tips on this forum that should help you perfect your pickmaking skills so soon youll be making picks much better than any set SO has...

my 2 cents

as for a $40 set... well i payed about $18 for my first commercial set and it had 5 picks... it works.
you dont need 50 thousand different types of picks but it is fun to expieriement with all of em and c what you like...

so id say go for it then when you see what styles of pick tips work for you mane your own in that style

[tjweaver84]

I have the slightly blemished one and have yet to find anything wrong with them except on a couple the handle isn't lined up quite as well as others but that hasn't affected the use of them