Noob buying picks

[eduguy]

HI all. I was interested in beginning picking and wanted to get them from somewhere like Amazon. I found these (http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B01548M40G ... th=1&psc=1) and they looked solid for the price. There's a 5 piece set and a bigger one, but the 5 piece has hooks, a half diamond, and a L rake (I think it's an L take) so it looks like enough. I'm interested in that see through lock too. Thoughts?

Are there single picks at Amazon and/or Canadian lock pick online stores? I would highly prefer buying from Amazon or Ebay or something though.

[Squelchtone]

oh god, do not get that crap set from Amazon.. go to Sparrows, they're really really nice and in Canada

http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/

single picks: http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/category_s/88.htm

hope this helps!
Squelchtone

[eduguy]

oh god, do not get that crap set from Amazon.. go to Sparrows, they're really really nice and in Canada

http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/

single picks: http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/category_s/88.htm

hope this helps!
Squelchtone

Wow $5 a pick is quite a bit. Is there any lower quality ones? Why is the one I linked crap?

[Squelchtone]

oh god, do not get that crap set from Amazon.. go to Sparrows, they're really really nice and in Canada

http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/

single picks: http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/category_s/88.htm

hope this helps!
Squelchtone

Wow $5 a pick is quite a bit. Is there any lower quality ones? Why is the one I linked crap?

$5 a pick is expensive? Sparrows are really good quality and are in Canada, which will save you on shipping. Peterson's cost $8 a piece..

The pick set int he first post is cheap crap from China, the handles are too short to hold comfortably and the tension wrench is just weird. I wouldn't recommend for anyone to learn picking using that set.

Here's the link to yours showing bigger photos, for some reason the link you put earlier doesnt load well for me: http://www.amazon.ca/Sanheshun%C2%AE-Cu ... 01548M40G/

If it's gotta be Amazon, at least do yourself a favor and get this set which costs less than the one you linked, but has more tools and actual handles:
http://www.amazon.ca/Stainless-Steel-Ho ... 00XDSETL2/

[eduguy]

oh god, do not get that crap set from Amazon.. go to Sparrows, they're really really nice and in Canada

http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/

single picks: http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/category_s/88.htm

hope this helps!
Squelchtone

Wow $5 a pick is quite a bit. Is there any lower quality ones? Why is the one I linked crap?

$5 a pick is expensive? Sparrows are really good quality and are in Canada, which will save you on shipping. Peterson's cost $8 a piece..

The pick set int he first post is cheap crap from China, the handles are too short to hold comfortably and the tension wrench is just weird. I wouldn't recommend for anyone to learn picking using that set.

Here's the link to yours showing bigger photos, for some reason the link you put earlier doesnt load well for me: http://www.amazon.ca/Sanheshun%C2%AE-Cu ... 01548M40G/

If it's gotta be Amazon, at least do yourself a favor and get this set which costs less than the one you linked, but has more tools and actual handles:
http://www.amazon.ca/Stainless-Steel-Ho ... 00XDSETL2/

What's a good see through lock, seeing that it doesn't have one?

[Squelchtone]

What's a good see through lock, seeing that it doesn't have one?

You don't need it, you have this forum and youtube which is full of lock animations. See thru locks are great to figure out HOW locks work, but it wont make you a better picker.

If you really really think you need one, here's one for $3.96 with free shipping on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/262161029813

[eduguy]

What's a good see through lock, seeing that it doesn't have one?

You don't need it, you have this forum and youtube which is full of lock animations. See thru locks are great to figure out HOW locks work, but it wont make you a better picker.

If you really really think you need one, here's one for $3.96 with free shipping on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/262161029813

Is there a similar quality set with less picks, so less cost?

[billdeserthills]

http://www.banggood.com has lock pick sets
the Klom picks I own are well made, but
due to their thin stainless construction, not as strong as a stubborn new picker may need.
If you are going to be rough with your picks, you prolly want something .025 thick, but banggood has many inexpensive
locksmith quality tools for sale. Unfortunately free shipping can take weeks to forever for arrival

The Klom KL-318 set looks good for a starter set, if you don't get mad at your tools

[Squelchtone]

What's a good see through lock, seeing that it doesn't have one?

You don't need it, you have this forum and youtube which is full of lock animations. See thru locks are great to figure out HOW locks work, but it wont make you a better picker.

If you really really think you need one, here's one for $3.96 with free shipping on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/262161029813

Is there a similar quality set with less picks, so less cost?

I'm not going to sugar coat this, but I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you don't have $20 bucks to get into this hobby, then don't get into it. I hate cheap people, and believe me, I love ebay and amazon but those sites have created a generation of cheapskates who want everything for a dollar and expect free shipping on top of it. </rant.>

Maybe instead, tell us what your total budget is and what you expect to get. Are you mainly after a transparent lock or do you just want a hook pick and a tension wrench? If money is an issue, (or my personal favorite excuse: I dont want to spent a lot on this hobby in case I don't get into it) then get a hacksaw blade and look at our Do It Yourself threads to make your own lock picks on the cheap.

Squelchtone

[eduguy]

You don't need it, you have this forum and youtube which is full of lock animations. See thru locks are great to figure out HOW locks work, but it wont make you a better picker.

If you really really think you need one, here's one for $3.96 with free shipping on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/262161029813

Is there a similar quality set with less picks, so less cost?

I'm not going to sugar coat this, but I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you don't have $20 bucks to get into this hobby, then don't get into it. I hate cheap people, and believe me, I love ebay and amazon but those sites have created a generation of cheapskates who want everything for a dollar and expect free shipping on top of it. </rant.>

Maybe instead, tell us what your total budget is and what you expect to get. Are you mainly after a transparent lock or do you just want a hook pick and a tension wrench? If money is an issue, (or my personal favorite excuse: I dont want to spent a lot on this hobby in case I don't get into it) then get a hacksaw blade and look at our Do It Yourself threads to make your own lock picks on the cheap.

Squelchtone

I'm fine with paying 20$ but that's ten tools. I literally need like 2 hooks, a half diamond, and a tension wrench.

Is there another see thru lock on eBay you recommend that will get here a bit faster, I'm fine with paying more as long as it doesn't take not one full month)?

[LocksportSouth]

I'm fine with paying 20$ but that's ten tools. I literally need like 2 hooks, a half diamond, and a tension wrench.
Is there another see thru lock on eBay you recommend that will get here a bit faster, I'm fine with paying more as long as it doesn't take not one full month)?

If you're fine with paying more and need less, buy a medium hook an a tension wrench from Peterson:

https://www.thinkpeterson.com/picks.html

The Euro and DCAP ones are like $8, regular are $15. Tension wrenches:

https://www.thinkpeterson.com/tensiontools.html

They're a little more - or, since the wrench isn't as vital, just make some out of street cleaner bristles. I think there are some threads mentioning how to do that on here but all you really need is a pair of pliers.

That way, you get the one (supposedly the best you can buy) pick that you really need. You can always get a half diamond and another hook later if you want to, and expand from there.

-----

My first set was from a company called GOSO. They're not bad, though the plastic handles are poorly finished. I got mine from a company called UKBumpKeys, but I'm sure there are suppliers in Canada too. The kit contains loads of tools you'll never need (24pc in total) but it does contain what you need and only cost me £12. Alternatively there's a SouthOrd 5pc set with a hook and half diamond (and wrench) for £15 from the same site (and again I'm sure you can find them in Canada too).

SouthOrd and GOSO I believe are normally highly recommended to beginners.

LockPickShop, which I believe are an LP101 sponsor, have This Set which is a 5 piece SouthOrd AND a book for under $17 .

Bear in mind that whilst it's easy to make your own tension wrenches from all sorts of thin wire with a pair of pliers, to make picks you'll be needing files and grinders and stuff so if you have no tools (like me), buying a cheap-but-decent set is probably cheaper

Oh, and Here's a link to a search for practice locks on eBay.ca - lots of options but most of them come from China I think.

[eduguy]

Thanks for all he help guys! I know what to buy now