I want a set of hook picks.

[elbarto]

Hi all,

Im looking at buying a new set of lockpicks, and I want to get set with a variety of hook picks as i have now got the hang of SPP and my current SO kit only has one hook pick and the handle isn't as comfortable as i would have liked after a hour or picking or so.

I like the look of the ripple handle picks at lockpicktools.com but I realized (after filling an order form) that paypal isn't a payment option.

Iv got enough rakes and dont really use them any more so any suggestions as to a nice set of hook picks would be good. There is alot of topics about beginner lock pick sets but Im after something comfortable with plenty of feel still.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Elbarto

[Eyes_Only]

I highly recommend the Peterson picks with the rubber handles. They are comfortable to hold and very strong picks.

In my kit I keep a short hook, peterson gem and a peterson reach that I mainly use. I also have a slender gem, slender reach, an HPC deforrest pick and a couple of SO slimline hooks for locks with small or paracentric keyways.

I rarely ever use a rake either. So far at work I've only used a rake pick on a trunk release lock on a Ford. Everything else I use SPP with my many hook picks.

[blake1803]

If you're looking to buy a full set of hooks, LAB's picks might interest you:

http://www.lab-lockpins.com/images/ta_picks.jpg

As well Dino:

http://www.northerntool.com/images/prod ... 751_lg.jpg

I haven't personally used either but I'm sure there are plenty of reviews on this site.

I'll second Eyes_Only's recommendation for Peterson picks, though. There isn't as much variety in their selection of hooks, but the tools won't let you down.

Another hook I recently got was in fact from Southern Specialties (LPT.com, which you said you can't order from, but I figured I'd post about it for the benefit of others) -- the "euro slim hook" or whatever it's called. The tip of the hook has a smaller surface area than most other commercial picks (it's a bit similar to Rytan) and I could see it coming in handy in the future.

[Eyes_Only]

I've never tried the Southern Specialties pick tools other than the Falle Safe clone picks but they might be worth a try.

Some people might say the quality of their tools is lower than others but I really don't see any difference between Southern Specialties and SouthOrd. In fact I keep a couple of SouthOrd slimline hook picks in my pick case for work. They come in real handy when faced with a lock with a very tiny and restrictive keyway. Just keep the tension light and they wont bend or break. Pretty decent tools.

[blake1803]

Yeah, there isn't much different between the brands in general. But there is a difference between the hook I'm referring to and the SouthOrd slimline hooks is that the Southern Specialties hook is a little thicker than the SO slimlines. Southern Specialties' "euro" picks aren't actually slim. I'm not sure why they market them that way, but it's nice to have a hook with that shape that isn't too slim. Not that it really matter as long as you keep a light touch...

[elbarto]

thanks for the advice guys. Apparently lockpicktools.com accept paypal so might be onto something there. They dont advertise it on thier site but apparently it is an option.

those grips on the petterson picks look quite nice, and i dont think i have heard anybody say a bad word about petterson equipment yet. Might be worth a try.

[Eyes_Only]

If you already know how to pick locks and have used other commercial tools like SO in the past I highly recommend upgrading to a Peterson. They're the best tools I have ever used. Most people will even say they are better than the Falle Safe pick tools, and those suckers cost like $200.

[elbarto]

Any idea if you can buy peterson lock picks individually and form where? I had a look at a few sites I know will sell to anyone but lockpickshop.com seemed to the only one that stocked peterson tools. but they didn't have a very wide range, and at the moment im only in the market for a couple of nice hooks.

[Eyes_Only]

You can just try placing an order with Peterson through their website. There are some scary stories out there about them hounding you for ID and junk but that almost never happens. I've heard of only two incedents that happened here.

I've placed orders with them in the past before I started working as a lockie and they never check back on me. Took a freakin long time for shipping but never had any problems.

Just give it a try. It's probably nothing to get blacklisted by the company or anything.