Question About Picks

by **Bud Wiser** » 30 Jul 2006 16:26

I've been using the small hook with various tenstion wrenches with so-so results. I recently started practicing with a small diamond pick, again with so-so results. But being a boob I'm not sure which would be best to practice on with pin locks.

It seems to me that the diamond is a better pick because I can feel the pins better, and it can also be used for raking too. One tool, multiple uses.

AM I on the right track here, or is the small hook considered better for pins, or is it simply personal preference?

thx

by **Bud Wiser** » 30 Jul 2006 16:27

boob??? I mean noob, although I kind of feel like a boob now

wish there was a edit mode for us SPAM!

by **Octillion** » 30 Jul 2006 16:38

In my opinion, various hook picks are best for single pin picking. They can also be used for raking, although generally you can only rake in one direction (pulling out) with a rake. If you want to rake through locks in split seconds, rakes such as half diamonds are useful.

by **Shrub** » 30 Jul 2006 18:10

In my opinion, diamonds are better for SPAM (intentinal lol) because they can simply lift the pin easier by pushing the tool in, the hooks take more skill,

The positioning of the hook needs to be more carefully done than useing a diamond and its fo that reason i suggest it,

All that said however, its what you feel comfortable with, they arent magic tools and it does take varying amounts of time to get practiced enough to open a lock,

Stick with it and you will soon get it regulary regardless of which tool you use as long as your comfortable and you can lift the pins accuritely then stick with what your doing,

by **Deathadder** » 30 Jul 2006 23:45

i HATE the diamond, i can pick with it, its just it seems to slip around in the keyway and over the pins, i DEFINATELY prefer the small hook for single pin picking (spp and you will be free -shrub) and the snake rake for raking.

by **pinsetter** » 31 Jul 2006 11:07

I guess I'm actually one of the few who prefer the half-diamond design over the hook. I just feel like I can feel the pins better and get a more precise placement of the pick with the half-diamond. I make all my own picks though and have made several half-diamonds ranging from shallow to deep, with varying angle gradients. That said, I don't think the half-diamond variety you get in a factory set is that great and don't contain enough variations. That is why I favor making my own tools.

Oh, and I'm not saying that hooks are not good picks. I can use hooks and do a lot of the time, but I personally just like the feel and feedback from a half-diamond more.

by **VashTSPD** » 31 Jul 2006 12:40

my first (home made) pick was a hook, but lately I've been using a SO half-diamond

by **psyk0s1s** » 31 Jul 2006 13:13

it also depends on the lock because some locks have more pointed pins which will make it extremely hard to pick pin by pin. you can easily rake the pins but a normal hook or a hook with a slight indentation would be a lot more useful than a half diamond for picking individual pins.

by **Bud Wiser** » 31 Jul 2006 16:18

psyk0s1s wrote:it also depends on the lock because some locks have more pointed pins which will make it extremely hard to pick pin by pin. you can easily rake the pins but a normal hook or a hook with a slight indentation would be a lot more useful than a half diamond for picking individual pins.

I'm seeing that too! Some locks, like quikpik, oops, I mean quikset, I can simply use a small hook as a rake or half diamond and easily rake it out and it usually opens on the first few trys! Why bother pin by pin with that?

Then some locks like schlage, I have to do pin by pin, I can't rake it no matter what pick I use.

Some times it just feels easier with the half diamond for me. Other times I agree with the others, the small hook is easier to feel around, but not always! The half diamond is definitely a great pick!

by **!*AMP*!** » 31 Jul 2006 20:06

I've had so-so results with the half-diamond...but maybe it's a patience issue that makes me go and pull out a hook.

I've had a lot of good come from using a double ball, or snowman pick. One particular lock opens almost like a key when the snowman pick is put in.

by **gunnermatt** » 3 Aug 2006 21:17

Im a noob as well and (on the locks i play with) I seem to get a better feel with a diamond

Question About Picks

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