Metal Handles (more or less?)

[jedidove]

Hey, I'm just starting to enter the craft of lockpicking and I plan to buy my first set of picks soon. I'm stuck between these two sets:
http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-C1500.html
http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-C1510.html

The only difference is one has more metal handles than the other. I was wondering which was a better set for a beginner. Both are the same price so that is no factor.

I have to go right now, no time to read over, so sorry if my spelling is atrocious. I'll come back to this post later. Meanwhile, hopefully you guys/gals can help me since I plan on buying them tonight.


...and yes I did use the search feature

[Chilli]

Both are good southord starter sets. You might also consider the MPXS 14 or making your own. Search the forums.

[jedidove]

I have a few more minutes than I thought. Anyway, I considered the PXS/MPXS but I personally think the smaller picks would be more versatile. If I want to pick a lock with a smaller keyway the slimline will do it but the PXS may not. If I'm picking a bigger keyway then both will do the job.

Making my own isn't an option because I don't have a grinder or files, etc. and therefore obviously don't have any experience with them.

I've been reading the forums for a few days and have learned a lot. The handles are really my only concern right now. I have a good idea what lock I'm going to start with (going to buy a cheap kwickset and use db's method) and what pick set I want.

I'm just unsure about the handles since it strikes me as odd that there are two identical sets that only differ in number of handles. Plus, since they aren't different prices it seems to me that handles are more than a quality factor or something similar.

Thanks for the help though Chilli

[jimmysmith]

I personally like the thicker metal handles. the other ones i am sure are a little cheeper.....but its worth the diffrence....{i think} all the pick i have that have thin handles.....i have electric tape around them. ...

[mfschantz]

From your links, the one with all metal handles was more expensive by eight bucks. I'd imagine that the picks with metal handles in the C1500 set are the most used ones, so you could get away with it. You'll probably prefer the ones with handles all in all.

[Eyes_Only]

Smaller picks are good but when you're first starting out, people often have the tendency to apply too much tension on the plug when picking. I've never owned any SO brand picks but I'm sure the smaller profile picks can be bent out of shape very easily by a novice picker using too much force on the tension wrench. I would buy a regular size picks to start with and once you get better at it then buy the small profile picks if you need them, and most of the time you dont to be honest.

[jedidove]

My mistake on the price. Must have misread something. I'll be getting the all handles set. As for size, in a different thread illusion and shrub made it seem like slimlines are the best choice. I don't really consider myself as heavy handed. If anyone wants to share more advice on size I would appreciate it. Thanks for the help guys!