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[A New Start] Good Enough?

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
Forum rules
Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

The sub forum you are currently in is for asking Beginner Hobby Lock Picking questions only.

[A New Start] Good Enough?

Postby Blueline » 14 Jan 2010 18:44

Well, I'm planning on buying these two "tools"..but before I rush into it I'd love your professional & experienced opinion...
As a beginner, do you think these two "tools" will help me start with my lock-picking ambition?

A guide / book / manual about lock-picking
http://www.lockpicks.com/secretsoflockpicking.aspx

A 14 piece basic lock-picking set
http://www.lockpicks.com/14piecepickset.aspx


What'chu think? Buy 'em?
If not, please suggest somethings to me that you strongly recommend for someone who knows ZIP about lock-picking
:D Thanks!
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Re: [A New Start] Good Enough?

Postby Solomon » 14 Jan 2010 19:16

You don't need to buy any books, there are guides all over the internet an an endless number of people willing to help you.

That set looks fine, although there is too much stuff in there you'll never use. From left to right the picks are:

1. Broken key extractor which sucks and you'll probably never need one anyway.

2. Snake rake - has its uses, but it is not the best kind of rake.

3 & 4. The ball rake and the snowman are both pretty much worthless, they're designed for wafer locks but I find a half diamond is much better so there is no need for either of them.

5. Small half diamond. Good all round pick, every picker should have at least one of these.

6. Picture is unclear, but it's probably a DeForest. Great pick for hi-lo pin stack configurations, I personally love these.

7. The infamous "gigantor" hook. You'll need to file this down to get any real use out of it. I turned mine into a medium hook and it has seen a lot more light since. Handy pick for when you need it.

8. Another snake rake. You really only need one of these, but I guess there's nothing wrong with having a couple of variations if raking is your thing.

9. I think this is a taller half diamond. You'll use the small half diamond more often, and to be honest the DeForest is more than capable of handling anything you might need a taller half diamond for.

10. Sawtooth rake. Handy for scrubbing, but you will need to be extra gentle with this one since a lot of people seem to break them (myself included).

The rest of the stuff is obviously an assortment of tension wrenches. It's nice to see they include more than the standard 2 wrenches.... but out of the 10 picks, only 4 of them are any good unless you plan to rake everything. And out of those 4, one needs modified and one isn't really necessary. Since it's on offer though, and costs the same as the 8 piece set which only has 2 picks which are actually useful (and only 2 tensioners), I say go for it. You can always modify the picks you'll never use as-is or you can put them aside and use the extra space for homebrew stuff.
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Re: [A New Start] Good Enough?

Postby Squelchtone » 14 Jan 2010 19:25

Solomon is right, forget that book.

Here's a nice guide that will get you going in the right direction.

http://lockpickguide.com/support-files/lsiguide.pdf

Also, the site sponsor is http://www.lockpickshop.com where you can get a discount by entering LP101 or LSI as a coupon code to safe 10%. The site you linked to is a good site too and the prices are competitive.

digital_blue has a Sticky somewhere around here with a great beginners exercise to help you form good habits from the start.

Welcome to LP101.

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Re: [A New Start] Good Enough?

Postby Blueline » 14 Jan 2010 19:49

You guys are great, thanks!
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Re: [A New Start] Good Enough?

Postby loki-aka » 15 Jan 2010 13:27

The book may be o.k. if you really want that title, but you can get a good quality ebook for free, the MIT (formerly) lockpicking guide- Google for it.
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Re: [A New Start] Good Enough?

Postby dnullify » 15 Jan 2010 20:09

I just got my 10-piece pickset from lockpicktools.com... i asked to have the ball pick swapped for a euro wave pick (bogota)... excellent kit and excellent decission to swap them out...

that's my suggestion.
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Re: [A New Start] Good Enough?

Postby ElbowMacaroni » 16 Jan 2010 4:52

http://www.lockpickshop.com/ has the same set as well, and you get a discount there for being a member here. Look around you'll find a couple discount codes to try in some recent threads. It is supposed to be LP101 or lp101, however, there are a couple others people have posted recently in case that one doesn't work.

It's a decent set as it has the thicker handles that the cheaper southord sets do not. Personally, so far, I've liked the regular ball for wafer tumblers, but alot of this hobby comes down to what is comfortable/works for you.

The pick that Solomon said was a second snake isn't a snake per se, it's more like a mini far too pointy bogota (the bogota is kind of a snake-like rake, but far more effective against vulnerable locks IMHO) with a straight handle instead of the nice ergonomic handle of the original. It does actually work pretty well once you get used to it, but it's no substitute for the real thing. But handy for smaller keyways. I can see why he said that though as the pic isn't very clear.

And yeah, skip the book you're already on this site, and between that and the LSI guide and the MIT guide, you'll find all the info you need to have a fun and successful time picking.
"Cave ab homine unius libri"

Beware of anyone who has just one book
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Re: [A New Start] Good Enough?

Postby nls777 » 24 Jan 2010 16:21

I would go with the very nice set that lockmasters sells I think it even has a warrenty. they are blue aluminium and have the pick tips rivited to the end good quality and light wright and large handles witch is good for not making your fingers sore or slipping if you have wet/sweaty fingers. they should be about 3$ cheaper than that kit. If there on sale this month even less, hope that helps you.
And I come with a hat full of tricks,
Trunk full of Faygo, car full of fat chicks.
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Re: [A New Start] Good Enough?

Postby nls777 » 24 Jan 2010 16:25

http://www.bassburglaralarms.com/produc ... tailed.htm buy it FROM lockmasters and its alot cheaper
And I come with a hat full of tricks,
Trunk full of Faygo, car full of fat chicks.
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