Pocket-knife picks, worth it to buy?

by **marso** » 3 Mar 2004 5:31

GrEmLiN, but if you are picking at home why would you have to have a concealed set? sets like this give the hobby a bad name

by **jason** » 3 Mar 2004 11:50

I would echo that comment.

I would be very careful about carrying tools around (I moonlight as a locksmith so I've got a better reason to carry them).

My concern would be that if I was stopped by the Police and my regular pickset was in my jacket, I stand a better chance of being able to walk away free than if I had a set which was designed to be concealed.

Pretending you're James Bond doesn't work, it'll just get you into trouble and the picks usually aren't that good either. How often do you see them in "proper" locksmiths supply catalogues?

Do yourself a favour, don't buy em, if you already have - don't carry em

by **Chucklz** » 3 Mar 2004 12:26

Ever notice how most "spy shops" tend to carry poorly made pen picks and such, instead of good quality picks that are actually easy to use? It may be fun to pretend to be James Bond, but a night in jail wont be as much fun.

by **jason** » 3 Mar 2004 13:52

Have you also noticed how expensive they are as well! When you get arrested the tools get confiscated - twice as expensive!

by **Quin** » 3 Mar 2004 14:14

I would think that most people who buy these already have a standard set as well. The jack knifes are the kind of things that you may not need but when you do your glad you've got them.

I wouldn't carry my standard lock picks with me everywhere because chances are I would never need them but because the jack knife set are on your keyring you don't have to worry about them or remembering to pick them up.

You can bet your bottom dollar that the one day you REALLY need your picks is the one day in say 2 years you didn't bring them out with you

by **CitySpider** » 3 Mar 2004 14:39

This is getting off topic, but what the heck.

I often carry picks around with me. I also carry two pocket knives, two flashlights, a lighter (I don't smoke), a length of paracord, two pens, a notebook, at least a dozen paperclips, and a couple of safety pins. If I know I'm going to be out for a while, or if I know I'm going to be driving somewhere rather than just walking, there's obviously more stuff -- keychain (keys and a couple of nifty screwdrivers that go on your keyring, plus a P38 can opener and another flashlight), wallet (money, ID, lots of random cards, band aids, etc), cell phone, etc etc etc.

I like being prepared. Boy scout/McGuyver mentality. I hope that any police officer who is in a position to ask about my lockpicks will realize that they're just part of the stuff that I carry around on a daily basis to make my life easier and more fun. I use everything on that list on a regular basis, except the lockpicks; I've had to (gotten to) use them a couple of times, and it's much easier to just carry them than have to scrounge for improvised ones. Occasionally, when I know I'm going to be sitting in the car waiting for someone for a long time, I'll break 'em out and pick a few of the padlocks that I keep in my car, just to kill time. They don't get used as much as everything else on the list, but they do get used.

Is carrying lockpicks around stupid? No, I don't think so. I've worked hard for these skills, and I enjoy being Johnny-on-the-Spot when it's possible. Is it illegal? Maybe, probably. Should it be illegal? No, of course not. If I can't carry my lockpicks, I'll just have to bend up some paperclips and some hairpins. Same result, I just had to work harder for it.

Just some ideas for y'all to think about.

by **GrEmLiN** » 3 Mar 2004 15:45

Hey I agree with you, but its just a neat little toy he has.. hehe. I mean.. if your a locksmith, and you lock your key in the truck.. with the picks.. ya know?

by **marso** » 3 Mar 2004 16:10

You call your wife to drive in with your spare set of picks. Or you call locksmiths you know in the area to help you out.

Back on topic. I do see the jackknife picks to be useable and I can totally understand why some people might use them.

by **GrEmLiN** » 3 Mar 2004 16:33

hehe, another twist: "pop quiz hot shot" cell phone and change dish containing quarters are in the truck, and youve spent your cash. -- I know, I'm difficult. :lol:

by **marso** » 3 Mar 2004 16:40

Then you have to resort to breaking the window. There is no excuse to use concealled lockpicks. Jackknife sets are not concealed. This just brings the wrong impression to people viewing this forum and I would prefer if we stop this topic.

by **CitySpider** » 3 Mar 2004 18:48

marso wrote::roll: Then you have to resort to breaking the window.

Marso, as much as I hate to disagree with you -- no, then you go get a coat hanger, or you politely ask someone if you can use their phone (if you're in a safe are), etc etc etc.

marso wrote:There is no excuse to use concealled lockpicks. Jackknife sets are not concealed. This just brings the wrong impression to people viewing this forum and I would prefer if we stop this topic.

How, exactly, are jackknife sets /not/ concealed?

I did my best to illustrate that it's not only thieves and hooligans who're carrying around lockpicks, but I think it got ignored. Also, I think any of the lurkers out there will realize that while my favorite lockpick is a diamond hook, a thief's favorite lockpick is a brick -- heaven knows, we've said it enough times that they'll read it in some thread or another.

by **GrEmLiN** » 3 Mar 2004 19:55

People don't need to know openly that you carry lockpicks on you in your pocket as a backup key should you ever need it. Considering that wrong place wrong time risk factor. Just like people don't need to know or hear openly that you own a gun or you always carry a pocket knife.. people, especially those uneducated to the laws of what could be considered 'burglary tools' really don't need to hear that stuff. Besides, because its a comfy folding pick set, you don't need to carry it on your belt in plain view, or where it could be uncomfortable, such as on the belt or in a pocket. See what I'm saying? I understand where you are coming from, but its mainly(as I see it) a way of shrinking the necessary lockpicks smaller for easier transport. -- Keeping a set of backup picks in your wallet is kinda nice I guess. But I don't carry a wallet, so.. yeah.

by **plot** » 3 Mar 2004 21:30

if i had a jackknife set i'd keep it on my keychain in case i ever needed it to help someone out. might never happen, but would still be nice to have a set of picks on me at all time.

jackknife picks concealed? meh, more like handy to carry around. that's how i view them anyways. another option would be to cut the handles on some old picks down and drill a hole in them and stick them on my keychain... but that'd be a pain, and might not work as well. plus, the tension tool would be a pain...

for normal picking, i'd never use a jackknife, as most people here probably wouldn't. if it's all i had though, of course i would.

by **marso** » 4 Mar 2004 5:23

I would say jackknife can be concealed but itself does not hide what it is. Some people may mistake if for a knife but at a glance you could tell the difference. Credit card picks are there to look like something they are not. Then we start talking about where to hide picks on your person and so forth and this just gets messy for us that have a concience.

I resorted to the breaking window option to show there is always an option, I was waiting for n00b to start the whole but you are in the middle of a desert and similar garbage what if lines. Basically I see no point for someone who picks as a hobby to carry picks. I have never come across the situation where I needed to pick something. I do not forget my keys (i check before I leave somewhere). And if on the odd chance I did I would call a locksmith and learn from the mistake.

This is a difference in views. It is obvious some people here have different ethics/morals/opinions on this subject and I repect this. I just know the cops have no reason to suspect me of anything regardless of the situation.

CitySpider, I know there are some people who carry picks and are not crims. I just would not risk it myself.

I would recommend if we wish to continue discussing "ethics of concealing picks" then we make a new topic. Else can we stick to the topic currently at hand..

by **plot** » 4 Mar 2004 15:14

hrm... yea, you're right marso. probably never would encounter a situation where a jackknife pic was needed...

but... they're soooo pretty... :cry:

Pocket-knife picks, worth it to buy?

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