Is it a good set?

[Lesh18]

What is your experience with this set? http://www.dealextreme.com/p/advanced-9 ... icks-16417

It is super cheap but looks nice, is it worth buying? Are the picks better thatn self-made paper clip pins?

[The Lock Artist]

? Are the picks better thatn self-made paper clip pins?

Yes, while I have no experience with this particular set,I can assure you that you will get better feedback and picking in general with this set than using paperclips. I would reccomend something from a more reputable brand (I didn't even see a brand on these picks) like southord. They may be more expensive, but it would be a good investment. One thing that I would make sure of when ordering from southord, don't get the picks with the black grips on them, they are a foam that dulls the feedback that you get from inside the lock. Instead, get the ones that have reinforced metal handles. These are actually not uncomfortable, I would say that it would be more comfortable than getting a set with the grips, as you will end up taking them off and having the thin non-reinforced metal handles dig into your hand. This is a great starter set http://www.lockpickshop.com/MPXS-14.html it comes with a nice variety of picks that will help you know the ones that you will like best and use the most. Whichever set you choose to get, good luck and happy picking.

John

[jos weyers]

If you're not sure if lockpicking is something for you, this is a great set.

The picks are rather big (so won't fit lots of keyways).
If you keep picking, you WILL need to upgrade to a better set.

For this price, it's a great deal.

[Anavaree]

Arent those the sha lon lock picks? I just got a set from LSA and they look just like them.

[abasel]

What is your experience with this set? http://www.dealextreme.com/p/advanced-9 ... icks-16417

It is super cheap but looks nice, is it worth buying? Are the picks better thatn self-made paper clip pins?

the best set you can buy, at least for European cylinders, you can cut, you can bend, you can modify the tools, and if they break, you buy more
have good feel and convey a good feeling, I use them a lot

[Anavaree]

Yup, ShaLon picks.
They have a solid hard plastic grip and are nickle coated steel. Very springy and fairly durable, but need some wet sanding to work smoothly.
The grip is surprisingly comfy. This is my set.

[Solomon]

I have these and they're pretty good, basically identical to goso hooks. Nice grip, great feedback, they're small enough for most standard euro keyways and hold up well to heavy handed use. The wrenches suck, there's no case and a few of them will be bent when they arrive but for that price, who's complaining?

I made a few wrenches and bunged it all in a case I found, believe it or not they're actually my go-to picks before I reach for anything else. They're a nice middle ground between the southord slimlines and the petersons, in that I'm not afraid to go heavy on them if I need to and they tackle most keyways no problem. They do struggle with the likes of corbin, winkhaus etc but then so do any standard picks... that's what the slims are for. Go for it man, you won't be disappointed. I was pleasantly surprised when I got mine and I dunno if I should be ashamed to like them or not but I do.

[Lesh18]

Solomon, is that set suitable for SPP? Because SPP is what I am interested in.
Which technique do you use? SPP or random-raking?

[Legion303]

2/3 of that set are hooks, suitable for SPP.

-steve

[atticRR]

lesh18, let us know how it goes if you order from these guys. they have a lot of interesting stuff and i'm thinking of ordering from them because some of their prices are really good. curious how their service is. thanks!

i'll second the above post: this is definately a SPP appropriate pick set.

R

[Buzo]

This set is the first set I purchased. I even bought them from that website. The brand is "secure pro" and I have been using them on many different types of locks. So far they are doing fine and are a great starter set but I am definetely looking to upgrade in the near future. I agree that they have good feedback as the handles are made of hard plastic but unfortunately they are pretty cheap and I have broken 2 in the last week without using much pressure. I think they just eventually wear out and break. The tension tool that comes with it is awkward and is too wide to fit into most padlock keyways although it works ok on larger key-in-knob locks. All in all I think its a good set for the beginner especially for the price. Hope this helps!

[The_littleking]

What sort of pick is the one third from the right? I have one but it doesn't seem to apply to standard pin and tumbler locks.

[Achyfellow]

What is your experience with this set? http://www.dealextreme.com/p/advanced-9 ... icks-16417

It is super cheap but looks nice, is it worth buying? Are the picks better thatn self-made paper clip pins?

It was my first set and they are still around after several years (Except the crappy dimple lock wavy thingie), you can do whatever you want with them and they won't bend or break. I still use them for rusted or malfunctioning locks in which I have to use more force than usual when picking. They are spring steel, so they tend to rust easily (They have a crude layer of god-knows-what that tends to peel off after a while), but you can always sand them.

I'd totally recommend it for a beginner. You will eventually have to buy a decent set of picks in the future, but for starters it's more than enough.

[KPick]

I have these picks and to be honest, they aren't the best, but they do work for lock picking purposes. If you're a beginner, I would get these only because you can use these as a "throw away" set while learning SPP, raking, etc.

They work great in my opinion, and the plastic handles aren't that bad at all. The feedback is good, and the metal on these is firm and strong. I use to carry these picks around as a "I don't care if I lose them set" because they were cheap on aliexpress (about 5 bucks) . The only one that I didn't find useful was the one that looks like a half circle. Even for raking it was bad, but everything else was perfect for it's purpose. The pick that appears to be washboard style is for raking open dimple locks, of course I never got around to using it though.

My advice is to get it.