When it comes down to it there is nothing better than manual tools for your Lock pick Set, whether they be retail, homebrew, macgyver style. DIY'ers look here.
hey, im new here and i have started to make picks.
i have used hacksaw blades, and a dremel tool, and make sorta what i would call blanks. i am not sure exactly which pick i should make first. right now im gonna start on paddlocks.
Best pick in my opinion is the Bogata. I did not make them. I bought them from Raimundo. Theres no way I could come close to the craftsmanship he puts into his picks. If you are new to pickmaking he's the man to talk to.
If you've never made any before, you might as well start with a basic hook design (or several hooks). They're relatively easy to make and you'll find even minor differences in hooks can give you different results with different locks.
Im with legion303 in most cases but many beginners prefer a half diamond so make some of these as well. nearly all beginners start off with rakes and all kits include at least one rake but ide advise against it as a training tool alone. make a couple when you can SPP a lock open.
a pick that I have had a lot of success with is the L Rake. If I had to make a top 4 picks, it would have to be hook, small diamond, snake rake, L rake.
the L rake is the one that kinda looks like a key.