quick question

[Soprano]

Hi,

I'm a newbie interested in learning a bit about the lock picking sport, I've read a few of the newcomers post and saw they recommended the MPXS-14- Lock Pick Set/Slim Line Euro from lockpickshop.com, are these a good sets to learn with? I have a few normal cylinder deadbolt locks I can practise on but I'm not sure if I need to get the american or euro/japan sets since I live in Australia, which is the right one for me?

Thanks for your help,

Mikey

[JB0311NY]

I just started in DEC and my first set cost $15 and was from Southord.
I upgraded to the $35 dollar set and they all have done me fine.
When your starting out less is more. I got a 5 pin rim cylinder at the hardware store and picked it my second day. Single pin picking.
Sometimes I play with the snake or bogata but only on my easier locks, on my Harder locks I find myself doing well when I pick them up becuase I am using the fundementals that I read and learned about and in time I use to much tension/lose my feel for the pins.
The best picks I have seen are custom Locknewbie Picks (5% discount for name-drop) he makes some sweet tools.

[dougfarre]

Buy both, they are both different.

[vitti]

I tend to use the slimline picks (home made) more than the standard ones (South Ord) I have. I'm in the USA so they aren't really a necessity for most locks here but I prefer the way they feel.

Even if the common locks in your area don't really call for the slimlines you'll still find them useful for the smaller locks and difficult keyways you'll encounter.

My advice would be the same as above, get both. If you don't want to invest too much in picks to start with, just buy individual picks and wrenches. Get a small hook, half diamond, and a rake (I prefer the "snake" rake) in each style and a double ended and a twisted/flexible tension wrench.

Or if cost is really an issue, use the templates here to make your own. There's some great how-to's here.