Another question about a lock picking set

[aaronaaa]

Hello!

Beginner here. I know this question is asked practically every day, but I've spent a good 5 hours and can't seem to get the clarifications I need. I bought a pretty cheap set to start out with, and now want to upgrade to something higher quality. I don't care about fancy rakes, I just want a good selection of picks to attack most of the locks I encounter. My main confused stems from a lack of information on the Peterson site. For example, what's the difference between a nickel plated pick and carbon steel pick? What's the difference between the Classic and Euro series picks? Are DCAP necessary? And why use a DCAP vs a Peterson Reach.

I'm hoping to get something under $50, my current cart is as follows:

- HOOK 1 - EN PLASTIC ($3.00)
- PETERSON GEM - EN PLASTIC ($3.00)
- DIAMOND PICK - EN PLASTIC ($3.00)
- LONG RIPPLE - EN PLASTIC ($3.00)
- DOUBLE RAKE - EN PLASTIC ($3.00)
- Peterson Reach Rubber - Carbon Steel ($3.25)
- Hooked Diamond - Rubber Carbon Steel ($3.25)
- Postal Dipped - Carbon Steel ($1.75) (I am getting this mainly to experiment with what a dipped handle feel like)
- Peterson Pry Bar Lite; 0.040 thick ($10.00)
- Width-0.115-Thick-0.020-Long-5.125-inches ($1.00)
- Width-0.150-Thick-0.015-Long-4.25-inches ($1.00)
- Width-0.150-Thick-0.020-Long-4.25-inches ($1.00)
- Width-0.115-Thick-0.025-Long-5.125-inches ($1.00)
- Width-0.095-Thick-0.030-Long-4.25-inches ($1.00)
- Width-0.150-Thick-0.025-Long-4.25-inches ($1.00)

This totals to $39.25, and with shipping, comes to $48.20, which is right under budget.

What do you guys think?

Thank you!

[jimu57]

I think it looks fine. One thing I did get is all 3 bogies from Peterson. They are triple peak but are all a little different. You'll find out eventually which picks you like best. And when you start breaking picks, and you will, you might buy 3 or 4 at a time so you have spares. Also, some people buy the government steel picks. They may be a little better but to me, I can but 3 that are electroless nickel for $9 instead of 1 government steel for $8. Also, other than the pry bars, you can make tension wrenches from metal strips out of used windshield wipers. Or you can find street sweep bristles on here.