Hook Picks

[Tygart]

I see there are many different styles of hook picks. (My favorite so far) When I make my hook pick what is the best, one with a flat tip or one that is pointed?

Why are they different?

Reading some of my lock picking books, they call the hook pick a rake! Is this true? I use it for SPP.

Thanks

Tygart

[cjames73]

ive never seen a pointed hook, sure your not thinking about a half diamond?
my favourite hook has a flat tip but ive read a few threads about filing the tip so its slightly concave, it lets you single out individual pins easier.

[Tygart]

Well I did not know the hook pick should not be pointed. Thats how I made mine last time, it worked really well.

I guess I need to make a flat tiped one and the other like you said.


Thanks

Tygart

[Eyes_Only]

Yeah, Peterson makes a hook pick with a pointed tip. I think they call it the Peterson Gem. It comes in handy when dealing with locks that have a extremely high-low pinning combination. It's also one of my favorite pick next to the DeForrest style pick from HPC when I pick my Medeco locks.

[Tygart]

Well I used my pointed hook pic for all my locks. I was too lazy to make anymore. I just makde a double sided pick "I made it too long 7 1/2" I have no clue what I was thinking. It is a half dimond and small rake (Templet by chrispy).

I will be sure to make a flat tiped one to see how it works for me.

[Exodus5000]

Yeah, Peterson makes a hook pick with a pointed tip. I think they call it the Peterson Gem. It comes in handy when dealing with locks that have a extremely high-low pinning combination. It's also one of my favorite pick next to the DeForrest style pick from HPC when I pick my Medeco locks.

I like those deforest picks too for high-low pin stacks.

As far as just hook picks are concerned, most commercial picks come with a "flat" tip. This allows pin stacks to rest on top of the pick reasonably well. Some people like a more 'rounded over' hook pick which will glide through the lock and kind of let you rake with a hook pick. I'm personally not a fan of rounded over hook through. Others create a more concave pick that nestles a pin stack in it. These work OK for their purpose, but I feel like it scrapes up the pin stacks kind of a lot.

Me personally? I like the flat tips with it slightly rounded over on the "heel" of the flat part, such that if I insert the pick far into the back, it will glide as I pull it out, but if I insert in pushing forward, it will 'snag' on a pin stack. This helps me keep my footing in a lock and know what pin stack I'm working on.

[Kaellman]

There are tonnes of different hooks. I prefer the Gem or the normal hook with a slight angle to the tip. It helps when trying to raise the pins.

http://www.peterson-international.com/individualpicks-detailed.htm#Slim%20Gem

Theres an example of a gem pick. Works wonders since you can both rake and SPP with it. Also the tip makes it run smoothly in and out of the lock.

[zeke79]

The peterson gem is more of a diamond placed on the end of the hook. It really is a great tool to have as it can in some cases give you that extra lift needed to pick some locks that have mad pinning (close to or at macs). I use my gem mostly when picking euros and especially evva gpi and dpi locks.

A great tool to have Tygart and the one you made will serve you well if it fits the lock. I find at times it adds just enough to not let you get under a low setting pin near the middle or rear of the lock, but hey we can't have it all right ?

Keep making those picks as it is a fun side of this hobby!

[Tygart]

So far this hook works great, Yah I think making the picks is my favorite part. Unless I find a killer deal on a bought set of picks, Ill keep making them.

[Tygart]

I wasn't finished writting.

Thanks for all the info, ill start working on my other hook pick soon. I can't wait to get some images up.

[Rodfather23]

The 1st pick I ever made ...which was out of a saw blade had a semi pointed tip to it. I got so use to it...when I bought my 1st set of commercial picks (they had flat tips) I couldn't pick a lock for the life of me...untill I rounded them to almost a point. I just couldn't feel anything with it flat.

[blake1803]

Me personally? I like the flat tips with it slightly rounded over on the "heel" of the flat part, such that if I insert the pick far into the back, it will glide as I pull it out, but if I insert in pushing forward, it will 'snag' on a pin stack. This helps me keep my footing in a lock and know what pin stack I'm working on.

This is actually a near-perfect description of Rytan's hook. I'd recommend checking it out if you haven't already -- it's my favorite hook by a fairly wide margin and from what you're describing I bet you'd like it too. I'm fairly indifferent about the rest of their picks, but the hook is really something great.