thoughts on these picks?

[Jeepr]

Here is a set of picks I "inherited". I am new to lockpicking and was hoping you all could give me your thoughts on them. These belonged to an old time locksmith/ bicycle shop owner. He was a friend of the family, and taught me the bicycle trade back when I was a kid. He passed away and his family asked me to help clean out his stuff, and I kept these (they were going to toss them). They have been sitting in my toolbox for quite a few years now, and I have decided to learn how to use them..

I have been lurking here for a while, and have picked up some good tips. I have had decent luck picking some locks with these so far. I call it luck, because I don't seem to have much consistancy yet.

Thanks, Jeepr.

[Wolfman]

That is a nice set of pick. For the most part, basic lock picking hasent changed in awhile. I wouldent mind owning it. Do you know what each picks are for?

You have a nice selection of tention wrenches, this will be helpfull when learning. Just remember, use the lightest tention possable. The mistake most noobs make is using too much tention.

If you have any questions post em, or you can find my msn addy in my profile

[pradselost]

I have to say, you inherited a very nice pick set there. The top ones look like picks produced under the name "Majestic". That was my first pick set, and I still use a lot of their picks on a daily basis. I've had them for near a decade now, and not once have they broken. I'm not sure if they're actual "Majestic" picks, but they look close with the riveting, and I haven't seen another pick brand that has the black coating on the pick itself.

You have a very nice assortment there that should keep you in good standing for quite a while before you need an upgrade...well....*if* you need an upgrade.

I would suggest dragging your finger along the edges of the picks and feeling for catching...if there's little burrs and such, take some sandpaper to them and file down the edges, so they go into the lock more smoothly. Personally on my picks, I sanded away the black "painting" that was on them and buffed them to a mirror shine but I don't remember why the paint was there or what purpose it served...I vaguely remember it being weather protectant? O_o could be wrong though.

Grats buddy

[Raccoon]

A saw "pick". Now that is interesting.

[Wolfman]

A saw "pick". Now that is interesting.

It's a broken key remover.

DO NOT use it as a toothpick. Might be a real pain to take out

[Jeepr]

Do you know what each picks are for?

I'm still working on that!

I have been reading here quite a bit lately. I have had good luck with the rakes in padlocks, and the small hook in a Dexter lock cylinder.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I need to do some sanding and smoothing on the picks. Well, not the ones with the aluminum handles, those are nice and smooth, you can tell those are the ones he used most.

[cL4y]

you inherited them? wow thats great they look really nice,and yeah,a lovely assortment of wrenches.


-cl4y

[Wolfman]

ok. Picks

In order from left to right your aluminum picks are: Rake; rake; rake;rake; diamond pick; feeler pick; ball pick; dubble ball (or snowman) pick

In order from left to right your other "Picks" are: Diamond pick; Diamond pick; diamond pick; feeler pick; feeler pick; feeler pick; broken key extractor; broken key extractor; rake; dubble ball; dubble ball; sadly, I cant name the last 4. Anyone wanna help me out?

Feeler pick: Lift pins one at a time

Diamond pick: can be used to list each pin stack one at a time, can be used for some scrubing, and can be used to manipulate some high security locks

Ball picks: Used to open warded locks

Rake: Used to "rake" the pins to the shear line

Broken key extractor: Used to hook a piece of broken key and pull it from the lock.
.........................................................................................................
You said you have been trolling around here for awhile? Have you read the MIT guide to lockpicking or any other books? You can get the mit guide to lockpicking for free in pdf format.

Good Luck

[Jeepr]

Wow Wolfman, thanks! Especially for identifying the broken key extractors, I couldn't figure out what such a small sharp diamond would be for!

I am really interested in making some picks. I was just going through the hall of fame. I have some good ideas now! I like the idea of opening locks with tools I design and make myself.

[dmux]

yea thats a nice set man, is there a case for them?

if not make one or buy one, good investment

[Jason13]

Nice set,

1 thing i think is a bit odd is that 2 of your diamonds look really big than the others?

Can theese fit in any type of lock?

[skold]

Nice set,

1 thing i think is a bit odd is that 2 of your diamonds look really big than the others?

Can theese fit in any type of lock?

Would they be called lockpicks if they couldn't?

[p1ckf1sh]

Would they be called lockpicks if they couldn't?

Well, I've not seen ice picks that could fit into the block of ice they are supposed to pick.

That said, how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck...

ahhh, never mind me...

Weather's fine here and I had a clown for breakfast.

[digital_blue]

[jimb]

That’s a very nice set of picks.

The third tool from the right in the second photo looks like a reading too for Disc Tumbler locks. Most if not all of the picks in the second photo were probably handmade by the locksmith.

Don't sand the key extractors.