New LockPicker : Pick buying question!

[Diphoration]

Hello there LP101 community! I'm new! (I've posted a message in the new user topic)

I've always been interested about lock picking but I've finally decided to get more into it. I am planning to order a kit pretty soon but I still can't decide what to order...

I'd like to have a decent set with few tools that will be very versatile and be able to open a great amount of lock without having alot of tools. I also wish to pay a low price. I'd probably buy more specific tool and higher quality as I progress, but to start I guess a little set would do.

Now for my questions...
Which picks should I take? (Most used picks / rakes)
How much tension wrench / picks of the same kind should I buy? (do they break easily, I don't want to re-order in 1 month! I'd rather take a spare)
What should I take, Standard Lock Picks or European Slim Line?

If you have any other tips about what I should order or any noobie tips feel free to inform me!

(Don't worry, I read alot! I've read pretty much every tutorials in the forum, I'm about to change my house door, I'll keep the old lock and repin it in order to practice once I get my lock pick kit!)

Thanks alot =)

[Diphoration]

(Truely sorry, I posted this in the wrong forum, could a moderator delete my post? I'll repost it in the right forum)

[dougfarre]

You should look into getting a Locksport Beginners Package, it has everything you need to get started viewtopic.php?t=26633

[maintenanceguy]

Now for my questions...
Which picks should I take? (Most used picks / rakes)
How much tension wrench / picks of the same kind should I buy? (do they break easily, I don't want to re-order in 1 month! I'd rather take a spare)
What should I take, Standard Lock Picks or European Slim Line?

A 11 or 14 piece beginners set should be all you need. It should include at least one hook, a half diamond, an "S" rake (I think some call them C rakes here but it looks like the letter "S"), and a couple of different tension tools.

Picks don't break easliy. They should last you years. Moving the pins inside a lock doesn't take much pressure. If you're breaking or bending your picks, you're doing it way to hard.

I don't know where you are. If you're in the USA, get the standard set. Slimlines will help on some locks but the basic 11 piece sets sold everywhere will do fine.

[Diphoration]

Thanks alot for the informations =)
I live in Canada, I think we've got the same locks as in USA, I was just skeptical because when I looked at my house lock (Weiner Lock) the entry looked small, anyway it's probably a begginer feeling... =X lol

[Beyond]

A 11 or 14 piece beginners set should be all you need.

Even that may be too many. I've never needed more than a simple hook and/or rake. My set consists of just those, standard and slimline versions and a few tension wrenches, about 6 pieces in general. Never encountered a lock I couldn't handle.

It should include at least one hook, a half diamond, an "S" rake (I think some call them C rakes here but it looks like the letter "S"), and a couple of different tension tools.

Yes, make sure you vary your tension tools. I've found that each type of tension wrench is better suited for certain needs.

Make sure you have a short, thick "S" tension wrench if you're going to be picking pad locks. These are perfectly suited for that application.

Example: http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=239

[josh0094]

i just started out with a half diamond. thats all i used for about a month. i went on for there. so my vote:

half dimonds FTW

[josh0094]

i just started out with a half diamond. thats all i used for about a month. i went on for there. so my vote:

half dimonds FTW

[raimundo]

homemade bogota picks are the most versatile for those who 'get it' on how to use them. you have only two pieces to keep track of so its easy to count them. and they will open more locks than any other two picks you could possibly have, this will be disputed by persons who use the hook and do not 'get it' about the many ways to use a bogota, but I expect there are plenty of others who do get it and will support this statement. the picks were designed to be that versatile. Large picksets made on stamping machines for a penny a piece are loaded with useless picks like the ball picks which cannot do the limited function they are touted for as well as a single peak bogota. There are commercial knockoffs of the bogota rake but these are distinctly inferior and cannot be used to make a statement about the real thing. The real thing is always homemade. there is a tutorial.
I make this statement because it is proveably true. its not just selfagrandizment. Its the Truth.

[freakparade3]

I agree with Raimundo. I have a set of his homemade bogotas, they are the first picks I reach for. If I still need help getting a few pins I grab my hook made by Locknewbie21. My other 300 picks just sit unused in a drawer.

[Diphoration]

Well thanks alot for your reply everyone! I ordered myself a set (I will list it below) and I will eventually make myself my own bogota pick. I also ordered a CutAway Kwikset lock so I can get to know how it works and practice =)

-Broken Key Extractor
-Long Hook Pick
-Short Hook Pick
-S Rake
-C Rake
-Single Ball
-Large Diamond
-Small Diamond
-Slim Line Pick (06)

-Tension Wrench (Short Flex)
-Tension Wrench (Long Flex)
-Tension Wrench (Double Ended)
-Tension Wrench (Thin Line)

[Timtam]

-S Rake
-C Rake

Aren't they the same thing?

[Diphoration]

They are slightly different

The C Rake


The S Rake


At least, that is how lockpickshop calls them.

[FFVison]

I think that you will find that you will use one type of pick primarily. There will be one pick which reach for first when approaching most locks. Generally, I think that you will probably feel most rewarded with a single pin picking technique and it will probably serve you better in the end to hone that skill. So, chances are pretty good that you will want to practice mostly with either the short hook (my personal first choice) or the diamond pick. Of course, you still will want to evaluate the lock first before deciding which pick. For example, if you are going to be picking a wafer lock, you will probably want to use the diamond pick with a sort of hybrid SPP/rake technique... So I hear anyway... I haven't had a lot of experience with wafer locks, but that's what I have seen people doing and it seems to make sense in my head. In the end, more frequently than adjusting my picking technique, I have to adjust how light my tension is. You will find by reading around that, all puns aside, tension is key when picking locks.

I don't know how much you can really make that kwikset cylinder more difficult. I have a kwikset deadbolt and I popped it VERY quickly and I can consistently turn it in less than 15 seconds without any problems. The cutaway MIGHT be able to help you get an idea what's going on when you feel certain things, but I don't know how much more it will help you.

Welcome to the forum and have fun

[gotta]

We do tend to get set in our ways with the picks we use. I tend to use mainly Rytan slim in the half diamond and hook because I love the plastic handles. I pick a lot, and they are the most comfortable. I make most of my own tension wrenches and I have a lot of odd ones for automotive use. When you're practicing, switch around and get a feel for what each can do for you. Most of all, read, learn, and have fun practicing!