Do I Need To Buy All Of These To Start Off?

[MacGnG1]

I am very excited I found this forum, also I am very excited I'm gonna buy some picks.

I am definitely gonna buy from your sponsor, because I am a mod on another forum and I know how important it is to have sponsor support.

Okay, So here's the deal:
I searched the board, and I came up with a big list of about 10 tools.

I talked to bumber and he helped me get it down to a few:
short hook, medium hook, medium diamond, s-rake, standard tension wrench.
(okay so I only saw a long hook and a big diamond so I'm a little confused).

Is there anything else I need to get, and should I buy the premium picks or the standard, if there is a difference?

Here is my list of all the tools I found in the "what should I buy" posts:

[LockDFTR]

It all depends on your preferences.
Certain locks may call for one technique or pick over another.
Some people always use a hook. Some always use a diamond, or S rakes. It cannot hurt to have a variety of picks in your case. There may be one that you hardly use, but you may be glad you have it that one time you needed it.

If money is no object, go with the better picks. Different people have different style.... ie.... some people are gentle, some break a lot of picks. If you are going to use them a lot, get the better quality picks. Not that standard picks are garbage (depends who you ask) but the longer you are into this sport, you will eventually upgrade anyway.

It's all up to you my friend. Good luck!

[robotmaxtron]

Taking a look at your image shopping list i'd say you've got a pretty good set lined up. The only thing i'm going to say that might influence your shopping is that there are many people who have said things about the sleeves that fit over your handles tuning down if you will the feedback of the lock. I personally have the laminated handles and love them.

Good luck on your first pickset.

[_]

It seems that most videos I've seen and most articles I've read use hooks and assume you are using a hook. I made a half diamond pick and haven't found a use for it. What are the advantages of a half diamond pick?

[robotmaxtron]

there's no advantage per say but it's a preference thing, my friend loves the half diamond while i prefer the hook.

[Afisch]

I think what you've got there looks good, you really don't need a half/full ball they are vertualy useless, and when I finaly got a wafer lock to see if they did as well as expected, they still sucked. Why are they still so standard in sets...

[raimundo]

the half diamond works like a hook that has a ramp to raise the pin rather than trying to dip a hook under it. It can also rake a bit, because it will go in without twitchy fiddling, in a really gnarly keyway, you will see the advantage.

[MacGnG1]

here are some more tools suggested in other threads:
1 short hook
1 snake rake
1 half diamond
2 tension wrenches (1 twist flex, 1 standard)

any thing else?

i dont really wanna spend more than 25$ with shipping. and i will spend a bit more on better quality tools if i buy fewer tools

[bumber]

i dont know what tension wrenchs cost but the only difference about the twist flex and a stiff one to me it how much pressure is applied to the lock compared to how much you press on the wrench....in other words it puts less than a stiff one if you press them them both just as hard...

If the price of a stiff/regular tension wrench is the same as a standard quaility pick I would get another pick and just use one flex twist tension wrench.

[Afisch]

I get far more feedback without the twist. Flex wrenches for me are raking purposes only. I'd get a bigger hook as well.

[StabbyJoe]

I'm making :
Medium hook
Medium half diamond
DeForest (offset half diamond)
Snake rake

I'm starting medium-large and working my way down later... if you plan to order them, then 2 different sizes of things like the hook would be nice - but if you're going homebrew like me, start larger and either file them down or make smaller ones if you want some smaller tools later =)

I recommend you take a look at a DeForest, as I hear a lot of good things about them - good for light raking and spp, and gives a bit of extra leverage.

[MacGnG1]

what about those beginner books?
[forgot to ask this the other day too]

[Mutzy]

here are some more tools suggested in other threads:

Bogota Picks.

Order a few bogotas from Raimundo. They're a must for any lock picker's set, hobbyist/professional alike.

[RangerF150]

A basic set from LockNewbie and your good to go for a long time
Failing that, your well covered in that list.
Add a couple of nice easy starter locks and your all set
Enjoy!

[MacGnG1]

Are there any picks I should NOT buy or stay away from?