Spider's Random Thoughts on Pocket Pick Sets.

[CitySpider]

0) This isn't really a point, but do me a favor, and if you want to argue the ethics/legality of carrying picks around with you, do me a favor and start your own thread. I'd appreciate it.

1) Whenever the SouthOrd jackknife pick comes up, people say that you don't have the feel that you have with regular picks. I've said it myself, a couple of times. But then I got to thinking about it.

Maybe it's because I learned on a jackknife pick, but the way that I hold picks (choked up fairly far on the "blade" of the pick), it doesn't matter whether you're using a jackknife pick or a handled pick or a handleless pick or a pick with a counterweight attached to it, etc etc etc. You get just as much feel. Balance is a different issue, of course, but I think that you can compensate for a poor balance. It's a matter of being used to the picks.

So essentially, what I've concluded, is that at least when you hold the picks the way I do, you get just as good a "feel" with the folding pick sets. I'm starting to think this is one of those ideas that just gets repeated whether people have personal experience or not. So I'd like to hear from other people who've actually used the SouthOrd Jackknife -- how come it was deadening your feel? How were you holding it?

2) Also, as long as I'm starting a thread, I thought I'd take a roll call. Those of you who do carry picks around with you, what do you carry?

Myself, I carry a KGB pick set from lockpicktools.com (without the wrench and blue case, and I'm NOT recommending them here), a set of warded lockpicks, an HPC TR-4, and two flat Rogan wrenches. I modified a cordura knife sheath so that they fit pretty snugly. I find this stuff to be the best compromise between functionality and ease of carryability. That said, next time I place an order from SouthOrd, I'm going to buy the hook, rake, and key extractor Jackknife replacement picks, rivet them together (or put them on a keyring, or just put them in the pouch), and take out the KGB pick set. I'm kind of a minimalist.

So how about you guys?

[skold]

I usually carry my peterson half diomond, 2 torque wrenches and my home made pocket set using a side off one of those fold out pliers with 14 accesories things, and i added 5 picks made of yellow hacksaw blades and just bolted them in... well yeah i spose i carry mine too school and everywhere i go

[joecool2727]

Yeah i have that KGB set also form www.lockpicktools.com in the little blue case that i always carry with me in my backpack. But i too out the tension tools in it and put in a double sided one and a twist flex instead..

[Quin]

I've just got the jack knife myself because I always like being prepared and it's always the one time you really need your picks that you don't have them with you. With this on my key ring I don't have to worry about lugging around my normal pick sets with me.

I've been practising with it over the last couple of days and so far I've had better success than I thought I would.

As for what I carry that has replaced the picks I had in my car.

I always have a pocket maglite on my key ring and in my car I have a first aid kit, blanket, warning lights and heavy duty torch, reflective jacket and a book. As I say, I like to be prepared for the times you wish you had been.

Big difference with me is if I get stopped I have multiple genuine reasons for having the picks on me and can prove a non-criminal intent so it isn't an issue.

[plot]

i currently don't carry picks around with me, however, i have a very small double ended set that i might stash in my car.

i was thinking about getting a hook and diamond jackknife replacement from southord too, and just sticking them on my keyring. might even be small enough to fit in my wallet diagnolly. heh, i keep a car key in there, so why not.

and quin, i think a maglight would farther incriminate you and if that book is "breaking and entering 101" or anything to do with lockpicking.. off to jail for you. (and out of curiosity, how is a book being prepared? something to read when your car breaks down or something so you arn't bored?)

[jason]

In my jacket I carry a mini maglite and the Majestic 14 Piece pickset with a full hook and a single ball pick.

In my car I carry the HPC 2000 pickset, HPC electric pickgun, loads of extra tension wrenchs, 2 in 1 (Hobbs?) picks, mica slips, lever wires, warded pick set, HPC tubular pick, letterbox kit, rap keys, jigglers/tryouts (three different sizes/sets), plug spinner, filed down screwdrivers, key turners (for when the key is left on the inside of the door), hardplate drill bits, magnets, mirror on a stick, HPC "fishing rod", slim jim, cylinder snapper, drill template kit, hardplate drill bits, cordless drill (+ 2 spare batteries), corded drill and angle grinder (with extension leads) sledgehammer, crowbar, bolt croppers and a 1million candle power lamp with car charger (plus screws, glue and lumps of timber and replacement locks).

Oh and I never go out without both my locksmiths ID card and my warrant card!

[Quin]

and out of curiosity, how is a book being prepared? something to read when your car breaks down or something so you arn't bored?

I live in a place with a lot of hills and some steep to walk up them you'd be on all fours (I kid you not). if you get stuck in the middle of nowhere here it could be a while especially on the moors (Dartmoor) which I visit a lot.

Likewise if the motorway gets blocked it's my way of de-stressing.

Only happened twice in my life but it sure beats sitting in a freezing car getting more stressed because there is nothing I can do about it

[Chucklz]

I don't cary picks in public, but while im at college, I throw a nasty 4 pin high low high with spools, padlock into my bag, a tension wrench and a hook. More than once, I've had something to do when I would just be staring at a wall otherwise.

As I have said before, I have had an HPC fold up set, and I ended up giving it away. I had no problems with "feel" but rather with the sliding device that keeps a pick "selected" It would always get in my way as I picked, just due to my style.

[zeke79]

I carry a HPC tri fold wallet set and scrapped the supplied tension wrenches with a southord short twist flex. Same picks as the kgb set and I too agree that it is a good compromise with ease of carrying and fuctionality.