Is this a good set for a beginner?

[IZ41N]

http://www.lockpickshop.com/page/LPS/PROD/LS/PXS-14


I found this set over at lockpickshop and thought it looked pretty good for someone who is new to the trade.

I was going to buy the basic 5 piece set with book from another site for $14.95 but they had a warning saying that the picks did not have reinforced handles. Does the set from lockpickshop have reinforced handles, and what is the importance of it? Also, is it better to have handle grips on the picks?

Thanks for any help and advice.[/img]

[mcm757207]

That looks like it would be an excellent starter pick set. I'm not so sure about those black grips though... that might lower the feedback from those picks.

[lock_assassin]

That's the exact set I bought when I first started picking. If you discover you don't like picking you won't be out much money, but surely that would never happen!!! There are enough picks to pretty much do any standard lock you will find like Kwikset, Schlage, Master, etc. The handled sets usually have an "M" in the part number also, like MPXS-14. I really didn't care for the non-handled picks but it boils down to your personal preference. I used that set for nearly 5 years off & on and never had any problems with them. Some of the guys on here like the non-handled picks better, but personally I prefer the handled picks. The handles are just 2 pieces of metal either spot welded or riveted to the handle portion of the pick to make it thicker and not as sharp, the tips will be the same.

That particular set does not have reinforced handles. This set does:

http://www.lockpickshop.com/Merchant2/m ... ry_Code=LS

Here is the 8 piece set with handles if you don't want to spend that much:

http://www.lockpickshop.com/Merchant2/m ... ry_Code=LS

And an 11 piece set with handles:

http://www.lockpickshop.com/Merchant2/m ... ry_Code=LS

Also read this message to get an additional 10% off:

viewtopic.php?t=751

Hope this helps...

lock_assassin

[IZ41N]

So do you think this would be the best option for me? http://www.lockpickshop.com/Merchant2/m ... ry_Code=LS

[IZ41N]

I went with the MPXS-14 set from Lockpickshop.com