HPC PIP-2000 owners...

[Hardliner]

Before I whip out the credit card to the tune of $90US, is the whole set worth it? Do you actually use all of the tools? I ask because I need some slimline picks due to getting in some new locks with tight keyways and my Petersons (even the slender gem) and homemades aren't really cutting it.

I'm thinking a better option might be to get their "Pro-Mixer" set so I'll have some of those nice metal handled standard HPC picks to try out in addition to a few of the 2000 series stainless ones for those tight keyways.

[Exodus5000]

Not worth it. They're a real nice set, high quality and everything, but the shapes are no better then peterson, and in my opinion the hpc pip 2000 hook sucks. The only possible acception are the hooked/diamond hybrid shapes, I kind of like those, but they're not worth 90 bucks. Stick with petersons or buy a few individual HPC picks.

[Hardliner]

But the Petersons I have are not really suitable for some of the keyways I am now picking. I have a "Slender Gem", but it is only thinner (longitundinally) than the normal Gem. the head of the pick and the profile of the shaft are the same size as the standard version.

I need picks that are both thinner and narrower if that makes any sense, to pick for example my Abus 34/55 (6-pin cylinder that is WAY smaller in terms of depth and keyway size than any of my other 4- and 5- pin padlocks. Think six pins packed into a Master #1/3/5 sized 4-pin cylinder with a much tighter, almost paracentric keyway).

The only tool that works reliably in this lock is a homemade streetcleaner bristle hook pick with a thin shaft but the lack of a proper handle is causing undue stress on the second knuckle of the index finger on my picking hand, and also the tool digs into the side of said finger while picking. I need a pick with a normal-sized handle and a thinner business end. Maybe I need Peterson's slender set that are made like the gem but have other profiles like the Reach, hook and diamond. Or the SouthOrd slimlines but I like my tools to be in a higher snack bracket if you know what I mean...

[Hardliner]

I just broke down and boght the 15-piece SouthOrd Euro/Slimline set from lockpicks.com. It should do the job at half the price of HPCs and I like the fact that the set includes three hooks as well as a hook/diamond type pick (deforest?). Hopefully the quality of the picks is higher than the crappy "ninja" weapons, el-cheapo knives and knockoff ASP police batons etc. that seem to be the mainstay of SouthOrd's site.

[krept]

their picks do the job at a good price. i bought them basically to get a sense of scale and to find out which picks work for me, should I want to spring for high quality versions later.

One other thing I liked about Southord (and how I found them long before coming to this site) is that they sell blackjacks at fairly inexpensive prices. I've had the heavy one for a while and it would do the job, for sure. I definitely abhor cheap crap under the guise of weapons but this thumper is pretty good.

cheers

[illusion]

Meh... my slimlines cost me £15 in total, and still work. I've picked countless locks with them, and only found the sharp edges annoying. The sharp edges are easily removed with wet-or-dry, which not only makes it smoother when inserting into the lock, but makes the handles smoother and nicer to hold.

14 ounce Blackjacks? ouch!...

The weapons are... uninspiring though.

[Doc_Johnson]

But the Petersons I have are not really suitable for some of the keyways I am now picking. I have a "Slender Gem", but it is only thinner (longitundinally) than the normal Gem. the head of the pick and the profile of the shaft are the same size as the standard version.

I need picks that are both thinner and narrower if that makes any sense, to pick for example my Abus 34/55 (6-pin cylinder that is WAY smaller in terms of depth and keyway size than any of my other 4- and 5- pin padlocks. Think six pins packed into a Master #1/3/5 sized 4-pin cylinder with a much tighter, almost paracentric keyway).

The only tool that works reliably in this lock is a homemade streetcleaner bristle hook pick with a thin shaft but the lack of a proper handle is causing undue stress on the second knuckle of the index finger on my picking hand, and also the tool digs into the side of said finger while picking. I need a pick with a normal-sized handle and a thinner business end. Maybe I need Peterson's slender set that are made like the gem but have other profiles like the Reach, hook and diamond. Or the SouthOrd slimlines but I like my tools to be in a higher snack bracket if you know what I mean...

Might I suggest using a product that I have found essential - Plasti-Dip (Home Depot (US) carries it, dunno about other sources). This product is a liquified "rubber" dip for tool handles, etc. It is also an electrical insulator, 3 colours avail. (red, blue, yellow).

[Gordon Airporte]

Might I suggest using a product that I have found essential - Plasti-Dip (Home Depot (US) carries it, dunno about other sources). This product is a liquified "rubber" dip for tool handles, etc. It is also an electrical insulator, 3 colours avail. (red, blue, yellow).

Plasti-Dip r00lz, but it comes in relatively large quantities and does not keep well, so you probably want to have as many items as you can on hand and ready to be dipped.

[Hardliner]

I was thinking of getting some of that dip stuff... I did put some shrink-wrap on the handle of a bristle-made pick and it helped, but then I thought to myself: "dipping this handle in plasti-dip would make it perfect". The shrink-wrap would add bulk while the dip would seal everything up and make it grippy.

Too bad the goody doesn't keep though. I only tend to make a tool when I have a specific need and as such would probably only have one or two items to dip at a time.

BTW I got my SouthOrd slimlines in yesterday and they have totally exceeded my expectations. A few will need very light sanding with fine-grit paper to clean up minor rough edges on the tips, but the overall fit and finish is great. 5 minutes after opeing the package I had popped open two locks that were a real pain with my other, non-slimline tools.

The service from lockpickshop.com was incredible too -- shipped to Canada for $9 and I had my picks in 7 days with no stupid brokerage fees or border hassles.

[Doc_Johnson]

Too bad the goody doesn't keep though. I only tend to make a tool when I have a specific need and as such would probably only have one or two items to dip at a time.

I have worked out a proceedure by which one can extend the shelf-life of Plasti-Dip.

1) Make a TIGHT fitting cover for the can from a piece of non-ferrous foil (approx. 2x the can's diameter).

2) Secure the foil with the original plastic cover (and duct tape if desired).

3) Store the can in an INVERTED position.

This effectively extends the shelf life by limiting the chemical reactions inside the can. Of course, the less the can contains - the more the shelf-life degrades due to the increased presence of reactants. (In case you are wondering - Yes, I have a background in the Hard Sciences)

[Gordon Airporte]

Thanks Doc.
My favorite pick is peeling so it's getting time to redip. Maybe red this time. This time I'm going to rough-up the aluminum scales I made for the handle so the dip sticks better. If you were dipping just the piece of hacksaw I don't think it would be a problem.

[devildog]

one word for the OP: LAB

Awesome picks, nice assortment of USEFUL hooks, slim, great feedback, next best thing to an all out Falle-Safe kit at a fraction of the price.

http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=327

[smokingman]

You can thin plastic dip with lighter fluid if it gets too thick and extend its working life.
The lighter fluid can also dissolve any hardend dip if you want to remove it .
Of course you can usually just peel it off, but with the lighter fluid you can actually recycle it as well.
I have kept a single can of plastic dip over a year by thining it whenever it starts to get too thick.
Just put some in and stir it thougholy un til it is as you want it to be.