Trying to get into picking, dunno which set to order......

[dpthump]

Hey i really want to get into lock picking but i don't know if i should get a beginners book and 5 picks or a full 15 pick set and just go for it. I have about $50 to spend on it. Also is there any negative consequences for having lockpicks on you in public, i haven't done a whole lot of research. The lock pick sets im between are the Slim Line Euro - Japanese Lock Pick Set - 15 pc with Metal Handles, and the 5 Piece Euro Lock Pick Set and Lock Picking Guide. Also whats the difference between Us Euro and Japanese lock picks.

[freakparade3]

Reading the stickys on the site is helpful. This link was 2 posts above this one. viewtopic.php?t=39809

[ToolyMcgee]

Freakparade beat me to the hyperlink again... too slow.

US lockpicks are standard and a little thicker, slim line, euro and japanese are the same thing I think. All made for paracentric tight keyways at least.

[dpthump]

i called on of the websites, one of the people working for lockpickshop.com says civilians are not allowed to purchase or own lock picks for any purpose. You could have just told me give it up, its illegal.

[RangerF150]

i called on of the websites, one of the people working for lockpickshop.com says civilians are not allowed to purchase or own lock picks for any purpose. You could have just told me give it up, its illegal.

Perhaps lockpicking is not for you!
You do need to do some reading, and as shown above their is plenty here to read. And perhaps you need some ingenuity, something you acquire with age.
Although, I've known lot's of old people without any

[jgor]

i called on of the websites, one of the people working for lockpickshop.com says civilians are not allowed to purchase or own lock picks for any purpose. You could have just told me give it up, its illegal.

I guess it would depend on your definition of civilian then. I believe the applicable US law for buying picks from a retailer is that you must be a lock manufacturer or distributor, a locksmith, a repossessor, or a motor vehicle manufacturer or dealer. Since some states have no official locksmith license, it would seem anyone can call themselves a locksmith in those states.

[datagram]

i called on of the websites, one of the people working for lockpickshop.com says civilians are not allowed to purchase or own lock picks for any purpose. You could have just told me give it up, its illegal.

It is not illegal in the majority of places unless you use them as burglary tools or show intent to do so. In my experience, lockpickshop.com will happily sell you a pick set if you claim to be a hobbyist locksmith.

As for which set to buy, the standard 8/11/14 piece sets from Peterson/HPC/Southord are all affordable well purposed sets to start with. Don't get any of the huge or specialized sets, they won't be much use until your picking skill gets better.

dg

[freakparade3]

The only place in the U.S. that lockpick posession itself is illegal is washington DC.

[raimundo]

there is a long compilation of the various statutes on the site somewhere, search "law" . I believe that mere posession is called a crime in mississippi, or one of those thirdworld states on the hurricane coast.