Buying lock picks. HELP PLEASE.

by **H3A7** » 21 Apr 2007 11:16

I will be going to Cambridge, England during the summer and wish to pick up some picks. I was wondering if anyone knew any local stores (with an address) in Cambridge or London. And:
1) Whats the approximate price for a basic kit.
2) Whats a good brand that makes quality picks.
3) Is it legal to buy picks in the UK and bring it back to Vancouver, BC, Canada via my luggage on a plane?

Please someone help me out. Any information is greatly appreciated.

by **digital_blue** » 21 Apr 2007 12:12

Virtually everyone who buys picks around here does so through an online company, not a physical store.

Make sure you get yourself some slimline (Euro) picks.

Cheers,

db

by **UWSDWF** » 21 Apr 2007 12:30

and remember you need a licence to carry picks in BC... I wouldn't wanna get stopped at customs trying to explain anything

by **JackNco** » 21 Apr 2007 12:46

You will be better off buying online, picks are fine in the UK but if u get caught with them on you without good reason the police wont be to impressed.

by **H3A7** » 22 Apr 2007 22:40

GRRRRRR alright, hope the 10% coupon still works.

A few more questions:

What's the difference between these two (besides the price and the sleeves)
http://www.lockpickshop.com/MPXS-14.html
and
http://www.lockpickshop.com/PXS-14.html
I see a few differences with the shapes of the picks but how come it is a bit cheaper.

Other one I've been looking at:
http://www.lockpickshop.com/PXS-17.html
Why's it cheaper than the one above when it has more pieces.

I'm not really sure what kinds im looking for interims of picks but does anyone have any suggestions on whats the best to get? I'm also looking for a pretty reasonable priced one because i assume those prices are American.

Thanks.

by **Charodei** » 23 Apr 2007 3:27

It looks like the PXS-14 has a double-ended pick in place of the MPXS's double-ball. The grips may affect feedback somewhat. The 17-piece set is more than you'll need to start with, but that brass handle looks useful.

As for the cost, I have no idea why they're priced the way they are. I've never really understood marketing and advertising.

by **JackNco** » 23 Apr 2007 3:53

ive herd nothing but bad thing about that brass handle. one member even offered to give me theres to prove how bad it was.

As for sets chose whichever you liek the look of. a lot of people don't like the rubber grips. then again a fair amount do so its down to personal preference.

Ide say spend as much as you can afford (realistically) on a decent pick set. but don't for get you will need locks as well. ive probably spent more on locks than picks by a fair amount. If i haven't ive been very lucky on ebay

All the best

John

by **DaveAG** » 23 Apr 2007 4:13

JackNco wrote:You will be better off buying online, picks are fine in the UK but if u get caught with them on you without good reason the police wont be to impressed.

The offence is "going equipped for theft etc"

If you have anything on you that could be used in "burglary, theft, or cheat" then you can be convicted of going equipped. There is a reverse burden of proof with this offence, as having with you an item is considered evidence you were going to use it for burglary, theft, or cheat.

If stopped by the police, you need to show why you had the item, and what its legitimate use is.

It doesn't just apply to lockpicks though, someone was convicted of going equipped when the item in question was a mobile phone. They were caught going up and down a carpark using the backlight of the phone to shine into cars, working out whether there was anything worth stealing. I'm trying to find a reference for this, but my google-fu is letting me down.

Screwdrivers, torches, gloves can all lead to a charge of going equipped, as can a computer with spamming software http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004102857,00.html

On paper, carrying lockpicks and a phone are identical, in practice you need a good reason to have them out and about.

by **JackNco** » 23 Apr 2007 4:33

ok im lost, are you agreeing with me or just being pedantic?

Basically DONT carry picks unless you are a trading locksmith is the best advice i can give. u really don't need them on you in normal every day life. and if u get drunk and cut across a field on the way from from town (Dont give me that look you've all don't it) and get stopped by the land owner or police your gonna have a hard time explaining why you were trespassing and carrying lock picks.

They may be the same on paper. But a flick knife and a screwdriver are the same on paper "concealed deadly weapon" But i know which ide rather be stopped with (Not that im stupid enough to carry knifes either)

All the best

by **H3A7** » 24 Apr 2007 0:16

JackNco wrote:ive herd nothing but bad thing about that brass handle. one member even offered to give me theres to prove how bad it was.

As for sets chose whichever you liek the look of. a lot of people don't like the rubber grips. then again a fair amount do so its down to personal preference.

Ok so i've narrowed it down to either
http://www.lockpickshop.com/PXS-14.html
or
http://www.lockpickshop.com/PXS-17.html

The 14 has rubber grips but, im guessing if i dont like them i dont have to use them. Same goes with the brass grip with the 17. Then again one is $27.95 USD and the other is $37.95 USD.
So the million dollar question is, is one more tension wrench, 2 more picks and one brass grip instead of 5 rubber grips worth the extra $11?

by **JackNco** » 24 Apr 2007 1:11

as i said its down to personal preference on grips. most don't like them some do.

by **nekret** » 24 Apr 2007 3:02

You might also want to try SouthOrd's outlet part of their site, I got my mpxs-32 from there at a fairly reasonable price (duplicate picks but I wanted to try both metal handles and regular versions).

As for being blemished, I see no difference from the 5 pick starter set I bought from them and my new set other than the metal handles have a few nicks in the finish but nothing deep enough to change the feel. The picks themselves are in SouthOrd's usual in need of sanding/polishing but still very functional.

OK end of spam, as for the brass handle, it seems extremely gimmicky to me in a bad way. Unless that handle really clamps on to the pick, you're going to lose tons of feedback that is essential for good SPP.

by **JackNco** » 24 Apr 2007 3:23

not just that its goign to be way to heavy. picks are light things

by **Chucklz** » 24 Apr 2007 11:17

Buying L shaped tension wrenches is almost never worth it. Go get a few windshield wiper inserts and use those to make a bunch of wrenches for free. Just go to the autostore and ask for old windshield wiper blades. They will laugh, but there you go, free tension tools. If you want a few extra picks, its probably best to order them individually.

If you get picks without handles, buy at least one slimline hook with a handle. The slimlines are a bit more versatile than the standard picks. And most people tend to like the handled picks more than the handleless ones.[/i]

by **Eyes_Only** » 24 Apr 2007 12:46

Make sure whatever pick set you buy has at least 3 different sizes of hook picks as you will use these the most. That said I think it's better to build your own pick set by buying individual picks. Here is a list of my recommendations based on my own experience of the type of pick tools I've used the most,

http://www.lockpickshop.com/MP-07.html
http://www.lockpickshop.com/MP-02.html
http://www.lockpickshop.com/MSL-11.html
http://www.lockpickshop.com/MSL-08.html
http://www.lockpickshop.com/MSL-09.html
http://www.lockpickshop.com/MSL-10.html
http://www.lockpickshop.com/MP-12.html
http://www.lockpickshop.com/MP-11.html

Again this is just a recommendation. You're free to add or take away as many picks as you see fit for your needs.

Buying lock picks. HELP PLEASE.

Buying lock picks. HELP PLEASE.

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