Southord Jacknife JPSX-6 for starting off

[Plainodd]

I've been interested in lock picking for a couple years now, but I've finally decided that I want to commit to it. So, I decided that going for a portable lock pick set with the general tools would be a great place to start, so I can practice whenever and where ever.

I've been mainly interested the current version of the Southord Jack Knife, and I'm wondering if this would be a great place to start.

[chaos4zap]

If you're just starting out...I would stay away from a jack knife tool. Learning how to pick is all about learning to feel the feedback from the lock as you go through the pins. A tool like a jack knife has allot of weight to it, when you are using only one tool, you have to balance the weight of the rest of the device. Most of the feedback is lost in the unit. Jack knife's are more of a novelty or something extra to have in the glove box, but learning with one of these will only hinder your progress. Your money is much better spent on a small set of individual picks. For what it's worth, that my 2 cents.

[UEDan]

What Chaos said.

And I've personally have never had a problem with carrying my pick set wherever I go. Using it is the main problem(stares and assumptions)

Go to Southord.com select individual picks get 2 short hooks, 1 slim long hook, 1 slimline half diamond, 1 rake, and tension wrench TW-23. Order less than $15 and shipping won't be ridiculous.

[Plainodd]

Hmmm. Well, the same picks are in the eight piece set, but the eleven piece set is only three dollars so more, so I think I'll go with that, then. Three more picks for three dollars sounds like a good deal to me.

[af_newbie]

Just get a short hook and a couple of tension wrenches to fit various key holes.

A short hook and a wrench can keep you busy for months...

Get something that is strong but thin.

You can fit short hook and a couple of wrenches in your wallet. You don't need this Jacknife thingy.

[WolfSpring]

I started picking June of last year with a 20Piece SouthOrd set and now I only use two tension wrenches, one is home made short and thin for top keyway SPP, the other the twist one that came with the set, when I rake or snap pick, I only use the short hook and the half diamond picks. I have a home made snap pick to use when I'm frustrated or bored. I've moved on from general picking and just put some bucks into impressioning, though I also ordered a Jack Knife for more of a back up and ready use on my body armor and it will go in my glove box when I get home. I think that 11 piece is a decent idea but you won't use all those picks.

[edsmiley]

Basically what Chaos has said. If money is an issue, might be cheaper to start out with a few picks and expand as necessary.

However, I have heard that if you use this tool for quite a while you can develop a feel for the feedback.

Good luck!
Ed

[cds333]

What they said. However I would recommend the pen thing over the jackknife, it is much more economical and actually feels like a pick when you are using it. I have the SO-212 and I carry it everywhere, I love it! I see they have a new model too that has more picks but I cant speak as to its superiority.