Snakes and Rakes (The multitude)

[cyclops1101]

Hi all,
I have a question regarding the many different types of snakes and rakes.
Which is: Why are there so many variations?
I understand stand these picks are used to manipulate more than one pin at a time but if the pin combination was unknown then how much use would a snake (in whatever varaition) be?
Why not just choose a rake and vary the tension to pop the lock, so why the many different types?
Are they only used for specific conditions?
Can anybody help to clear my aching brain (please)

Cyke

[Raccoon]

There are many reasons for the multitude of rakes AND picks alike.

- different pinning (high/lows/whatnot)
- different keyway (size, shapes, restrictive)
- different technique (there is no defacto standard technique)
- marketing (more picks to choose from, more pokémon sales)
- design seemed good at the time, and people liked them.

I personally suck at raking locks and just don't use them. I have my weak moments and try them, but it's more miss than hit.

Try a set of bogota rakes from raimundo, a respected member of this site. You can find them in the B/S/T section.

[Anero]

Raccoon hit it on the head.

and i agree, raking is pretty much hit and miss, some people will start off raking a lock and go back and SPP the unset pins.

try rai's bogotas they are insane.

[cyclops1101]

There are many reasons for the multitude of rakes AND picks alike.
- different pinning (high/lows/whatnot)

But if the Picker does not know the combination, how can the snakes help? Wouldnt it be easier to just SPP or rake the snake(lock).

different technique (there is no defacto standard technique)

I would love to hear about all the different techniques - I like to start with little tension and increase with each rake(half diamond tip)

try rai's bogotas they are insane

I have to ask - What makes them so good compared to conventional picks?

[maxxed]

You can also combine rakeing and SPP. Rake the lock a bit then finish with SPP helps sometimes when I am having trouble with a lock.