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Pick Handle Length

When it comes down to it there is nothing better than manual tools for your Lock pick Set, whether they be retail, homebrew, macgyver style. DIY'ers look here.

Generally speaking, what length of handles do you prefer?

Shorter
2
6%
Medium
23
70%
Longer
8
24%
 
Total votes : 33

Pick Handle Length

Postby Earned Entry » 12 Aug 2006 19:51

Just wondering what people think.

Please, debate the topic at hand, and give your reasoning behind your vote.
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Postby Shrub » 12 Aug 2006 20:47

The flaw in your poll is that you dont state what length medium is?

I cant vote shorter nor longer than it because i dont know what medium is,

I like somthing around 5"
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Postby Earned Entry » 12 Aug 2006 21:09

Ok, lets say 4" for medium.
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Postby Gordon Airporte » 12 Aug 2006 21:49

3 3/4 - 4" for the handle, usually around 5 1/4" overall. Call it medium. Most of my picks used to be short, but I really prefer having contact around the ... let's call it the proximal end of the 5th metacarpal bone :-), so the picks I use most get nice handles.
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Postby Eyes_Only » 13 Aug 2006 2:23

I perfer medium length as well. I feel most comfortable resting the handle of the pick on my fourth distal phalanx while keeping the pick steady with the tips of my thumb, index and middle finger.
If a lock is a puzzle, then its key is the complete picture
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Postby ausbump » 13 Aug 2006 5:26

I personally find that the longer they are the better the leverage, and hence the 'quality' of the pick. Maybe because i have big hands (a curse on lock pickers).
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Postby skold » 13 Aug 2006 6:11

I have no idea what is actually long when we are talking about pick handles, but i like the handles on my HPC's...Anything shorter is too short.


Being over six feet tall and having giant hands i guess it's sorta safe to say i like to have handles that are somewhat long.
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Postby undeadspacehippie » 13 Aug 2006 12:03

I agree with skold, the hpc handles are nice. I have made a set of picks with handle lengths (and other dimensions) similar to the hpc ones. They fit nicely in my hands. I also have some that are 8 cm long, others that are 10 cm long. I have some as short as 5 cm long... but I don't use them all that much.
- There is no spool -
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Postby mrdan » 13 Aug 2006 12:54

I like mine I guess Medium. Instead of breaking the Hacksaw blade in thirds, I like it more like Half (about 5 or 6") One of these days I will purchace a real set. :wink:
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Postby VashTSPD » 13 Aug 2006 13:45

I agree with mr. dan, I've been breaking the hack-saw blades into thirds but I'm about to start breaking them in half (10"-12" total blade). I mean, after I make the think part of the pick there's only about 1.5 inches (!) left for the fat handle part on a 10" blade
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Postby TheMikeMan » 14 Aug 2006 19:28

I like shorter handles because I usually have my picks on me at all times. It makes for easier portability.
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Postby pinsetter » 15 Aug 2006 8:49

I make all my own picks and I like my handles to be between 6" and 8" long.
The last set of picks I made were double ended picks and they're 8 1/2" overall. I also have large hands so the longer handles just seem more comfortable to me.
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Longer for more control

Postby Peter Martin » 19 Aug 2006 23:05

I use mine like a pencil... basically using only my thumb and forefinger. But I like the handle length to be around 4" for balance...and to better judge the angle of the pick end inside the lock. When you can't see what you're pick is doing, you can at least "imagine" by seeing the opposite handle end's angle in comparison to the lock.
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Postby Kaotik » 20 Aug 2006 21:06

I voted for Medium. The SouthOrd handles are about 3 1/8" long, I know that's a little shorter than the 4" Medium poll, but I personally would consider it in the same medium class.

Call me a medium guy, I like them around 3-4". Shorter for making hommades that are more comfortable for carrying.
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Postby unbreakable » 20 Aug 2006 21:12

I like the handles on my homemades, and they're medium.
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