best place to buy a newbie set?

[kronchev]

Alright hi all. I am relativly new to lockpicking. Ive screwed around with screwdrivers and paperclips, on very simple locks I've had success, obviously on quality locks I have not. I am looking to get a good beginners set. I dont need a whole lot of variety, in fact I could probabily make due with two tension wrenches and 2-3 picks, if even that many. I just want to screw around with this a little more, as a hobby and whatnot. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I know that its probabily best to make my own but honestly for my first set, Id like to purchase some. Most people say the stuff you find on the internet is crap, I was wondering if anyone knew of any good places.

Thanks,

kronchev

[Chucklz]

www.lockpickshop.com a sponsor of this site. You can use lp101 as a coupon code to receive 10%off.

[kronchev]

www.lockpickshop.com a sponsor of this site. You can use lp101 as a coupon code to receive 10%off.

very nice, thanks. do you think the smallest set they have is a good cheap starters?

[Chucklz]

Yes, but if you want to go even cheaper, you can buy individual picks.

[CitySpider]

Most people say the stuff you find on the internet is crap, I was wondering if anyone knew of any good places.

Who's "most people"? Regardless, I strongly disagree, at least in the lockpicking field. It's just about the only game in town.

[kronchev]

city; I dont mean most things as in everything, i internet shop all the time. ive just been told (probabily by uninformed parties) that the lockpicking tools you buy from websites are subpar and break easily.

how does this kit look:


SP-02 Short Double Ended Pick
$1.95 $1.95
SP-09 Short Hook
$1.95 $1.95
SP-10 C Rake
$1.95 $1.95
TW-02 Short Twist Flex Tension Wrench


just to start so i can practice on my doors.

[Grudge]

LockPickShop.com is a fine vendor, however I have had good luck with:

lockpicks.com
southord.com

Stay far away from:

ThePickShop.com

and all of those 'spy' shops on the Internet (their prices are about x3 what they should be)

Southord's picks, while not the 'best,' are very cheap and more than good enough for a hobbiest (IMHO). Lock picking takes a delicate touch and you are unlikely to bend or break any decent pick, including Southords. My favorite set of picks, though, is my Brochage Navigator set, and not too expensive at about $45.00

Just my 2 cents...

[Grudge]

Your individual pick suggestions are a pretty good ultra cheap starter kit. Just some notes:

The SP-02 is just a hook and a rake, like the two other picks you mentioned. While handy to have in a pinch, it is really too small to work with on a regular basis. You might consider a longer hook, like the SP-08 for those hard-to-reach pins.

You might consider the TW-15 double ended tension wrench. Having good tension wrench fit is really important, and the two ends allows this tool to work in more locks.

[CobraOne]

This is the set I started with 2 years ago and it worked great for me.
http://www.lockpicks.com/product.asp?0=204&1=217&3=28

Yes is is a cheap set, but to start out with it is a good set

[CitySpider]

city; I dont mean most things as in everything, i internet shop all the time. ive just been told (probabily by uninformed parties) that the lockpicking tools you buy from websites are subpar and break easily.

Whoever told you that is wrong. Didn't mean to jump on you, but I'm not a big fan of misinformation. You post that you heard that internet lockpicks are crap, and then ten lurkers post it, and then a hundred...

As for your kit, ditch the double-ended pick, and get a non-twist wrench instead of your twist wrench. That's my recommended starting set, right there, those three pieces. If you really like the double-ended pick, go ahead and get it, it's two bucks. Also, if you want to be EXTRAVAGANT, get yourself a small half diamond, and get _both_ a twist wrench and a straight wrench. That way you'll get to try just about all the basic tools.

[Chucklz]

I dont really like my double ended picks at all (got them free, so I cant complain too much). All of the picks so far recommended to you are of the Southord "handleless" design. Many people don't like them, but I did alot of learning with them, and i know CitySpider prefers them. You may want to try a handled pick to see if you prefer it. It is not a necessity by any means.

When you do get your tools, concentrate on always using the lightest possible touch, both with the pick and the tension tool. Almost all newbies use far too much force, and end up fustrated, with compressed springs in the lock, or worse.