buying new picks tonight, which of these 2 should I get?

[Squelchtone]

Hey gang,

I'll be visiting lockpickshop.com in a couple of hours and I've set a budget of around $40 to replace my mostly bent and broken MPXS-11 set. This was a good trainer set, but it's a year old, so it's time to upgrade.

I want an L rake which the 11 piece never had and some more snakes and more than one hook size, so I've been eyeing the LAB 11 piece with clear plastic window (not the fold out deluxe one) and I've been checking out the S.O. C1510 Slimline.

How easy is it to hold the double ended LABs if I choose to not use the plastic handle on one end? Will I have to sand and polish my LAB's like I would the SO's ?

Here are links to both, but I'd like to hear from people who have used them or own them, how's the feel? How effective are their pick shapes and sizes on common locks like Kwikset, Schlage, Russwin, Best, Master, Master ProSeries, American Lock, ABUS padlocks.

And, are the LAB's regular size? they seem smaller than regular SO's (at least in the photos... say.. can someone tell lockpickshop to put up larger photos, and with the picks not IN the LAB case?

LAB set
http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-LPT015.html

Southord Slimline set
[url]http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-C1510.html[/url/

Thanks for your feedback,

Squelchtone

[Squelchtone]

Wow, every time I go to crypto.com I find something new...

Here's a run down of most known brands of picks including LAB, Peterson and Falle Safe. Good photos and pros cons to each brand

http://www.crypto.com/photos/misc/picks/

I'm starting to lean towards the LAB set..

Squelchtone

[zeke79]

The LABs are a great set but are very thin and fragile. I find I use them on tight keyways quite often but stick with my petersons for most picking tasks.

[Squelchtone]

The LABs are a great set but are very thin and fragile. I find I use them on tight keyways quite often but stick with my petersons for most picking tasks.

Thank you for the quick reply. I worry that even though I've gotten much better and can open a greater variety of locks, I can be heavy handed when working a stubborn lock, so if you say the LABs are good but delicate, it looks like I'll be ordering SO slimlines tonight.

but then again, I'm a Gemini, so ya know.. last second, I'll probably get the LABs..



Squelchtone

[devildog]

go to lockpicks.com and get Petersons.....*sigh*, second time today.

[Squelchtone]

go to lockpicks.com and get Petersons.....*sigh*, second time today.

I know they're available.. and you probably mean these:

http://lockpicks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=355

but I like to carry in my pocket, and the Peterson handles look like they would be better suited for a tool box than a jeans pocket. They do look nice though, I'll have to get them next time I'm shopping.

maybe cracksman will show me his Petersons so I can compare in person

in the meantime my C1510's are on their way. I can't wait to finish them nicely.. I never knew about finishing a year ago when I got my 11 piece SO's... oh how naive I was at the age of 28... lol

thanks for the tip,

Squelchtone

[devildog]

Cracksman has Falle-Safes--you should ask to see those