SPP

[falkman]

Hey everyone.

I made a big mistake in the "lock picking" hobby, that is, i started out raking and scrubbing. Now, i cant open any locks I want to because i need to learn to SPP. So, i was wondering, i made 2 diamond picks(small and large), but should i still make a normal hook pick? Is a hook pick more consistant than a diamond pick?

Thanks in advance,
Falkman

[freakparade3]

It's really a personal preferance. I like hook picks, the only time I use a diamond is when I'm stuck and need to try something different. Make a hook and try it out. Try this exercise. viewtopic.php?t=10677

[falkman]

ty, i just trashed all my picks except for 1, a double diamond(aka W) pick, cause its the only half decent pick , ill post some pics when i get a little collection going.

[JackNco]

as said its personal preference, i use hooks almost exclusively.

[falkman]

hehe, I wanna just get a pick set, but I dont have a credit card and my dad doesnt like my new "hobby"

Also, i dont have a grinding wheel and my dremel diamond plated blade is wearing down

[JackNco]

well if your not old enough to have a credit card and still living under my parent roof then ide have to say you should listen to your parents. but if they don't mind you picking but just want to help fund it making picks is a good way to go.

[zeke79]

My couple of pennies on this matter is as follows. I use hook picks almost exclusively. When I do not use a hook is when I have found a keyway that is tight enough that after setting a few pins I cannot manipulate the tip of my hook pick under a pin toward the rear of a lock. In this case I have several progressive diamonds I use. What I do at this point is slide the diamond in until I contact the pin I could not get a hook under and use the leading edge of the diamond to allow me to lift the pin slowly by pushing the pick into the lock. I use the size of diamond that set pins ahead of the pin I am working on will allow to enter under them. I insert the pick slowly allowing the leading edge of the diamond to either fully insert and achieve the highest lift that diamond will get me or until I feel the pin set. If the pin did not set I can usually come back in with my hook pick and work it under the pin at that point and continue lifting until the pin is set.

Hope this helps someone out.

[falkman]

helps me out, just picked up some streetsweper bristles, heres some pics of my picks...haha it rhymes...

Before:

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i226/ ... 060030.jpg

After:

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i226/ ... 100033.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i226/ ... 100032.jpg

Tell me what you think,
Falkman

[zeke79]

Falkman please dont take this the wrong way. Your picks need to basically be remade. The one diamond shaft is too thin for too long. It will likely break. The other picks, the shafts are too big and will disrupt pins while picking.

Have a look around the forums here for some templates or you can find some by clicking on the www icon in my profile.

Dont let this discourage you. Making picks is an art form. I just don't want you to think lockpicking is no fun using your tools when properly made or purchased tools will make picking much easier and more enjoyable.

[falkman]

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

just kidding, yah, the one with the diamond surprisingly doesn't break, but i think ur right about the other ones.

[hesevil]

I personally love hooks and use them almost exclusively. The smaller contact area means, when properly positioned, that it will contact only one pin at a time, allowing you to 'feel' the lock better. The only time I really use half-diamonds is when I pick a lock using SPP and some raking as well (the shape of the half-diamond allows it to vertically depress the pins while only moving horizontally itself).