broke a pick. looking for a better set

[gr00ve]

hey everyone. so i broke my uhm, whatcha call it, "M" shaped pick? snake rake? not sure what its called eh. the end piece snapped off, i guess from abuse. anyhow, i was thinkin about getting some sturdier picks but im not sure where to look or what to look for. can someone lead me in the right direction?

[Trip Doctor]

Where is the pick from? SO? It's probably not the pick being weak but you being rough with it. If you get a 'sturdier' pick but keep picking the same way, you might soon be looking for sturdier locks; so if the pick was good, you can always just get it again, and be more gentle with it.

[MacGnG1]

i bought one of those from southord and it broke soon after i bought it, they replaced it and i was more careful afterwards.

[datagram]

If you mean the one that looks like /\/\___ then it is the S rake. I have never broken a Southord pick, but recently I lent the S rake to someone and they broke it in the lock. I don't think it is so much the quality of the pick (their stainless steel picks are all very durable when used properly), but instead the shape of the pick combined with the picker being forceful making it easier than the others to break. Just grab a new one and be more gentle with it

dg

[Squelchtone]

If you mean the one that looks like /\/\___ then it is the S rake. I have never broken a Southord pick, but recently I lent the S rake to someone and they broke it in the lock. I don't think it is so much the quality of the pick (their stainless steel picks are all very durable when used properly), but instead the shape of the pick combined with the picker being forceful making it easier than the others to break. Just grab a new one and be more gentle with it

dg

Its interesting you mention that this is called the S rake, because I have always called it a W rake and the name S rake went to the Snake Rake which is sold as a C rake on lockpickshop.com I know they also have a W rake which is this odd angled L rake looking thing.

To the OP: In the beginning, I too broke this pick by not knowing what I was really doing. One huge tip I can give you which will prevent future breakages, is to pick in and out of the lock and up and down in the same direction as the pins inside the lock can move. It's not a computer joystick that can move in 8 different directions. Just as your key goes into the lock, and then back out of the lock in a straight line, so should your pick. The pick should not be forced into the lock at weird angles, nor should the handle be held by the end of the handle, the leverage becomes too great and tips of picks will break. Lastly, if you are pressing really hard on your tension wrench, to the point that it makes an arc, and your finger is turning white, thats too hard. When applying tension, the pick should still be able to insert into the lock, and you will hear it passing under the pins while they make clicking noises. If you insert the pick and cant get past the first pin without really pushing on it, your tension is too much.

Squelchtone

[datagram]

Squelchtone,

My understanding of rake naming is just like how LPS names them: http://www.lockpickshop.com/BTKSP.html.

So W is the ascending rake, L is the full length varied height one, C is the small bump and S the W looking one. I guess it doesn't matter what we call them as long as the people we talk to can understand which we're referencing...?

dg

[Squelchtone]

I guess it doesn't matter what we call them as long as the people we talk to can understand which we're referencing...?

agreed.

Its funny though how if you actually look at them the snake rake (c rake) actually looks like an S and what they call an S rake looks like the letter W.

We should revolt against the set standard and just call them based on what they look like, it would be easier for new pickers to know what were talking about without having to reference an ill devised naming scheme.

have a good weekend,

Squelchtone

[gr00ve]

ya know what it probably wasnt me... i have had a couple friends take a shot at picking ever since and they were probably destroying it lol, so should i stick with SouthOrd? that is what i have.

[apb]

You're fine with Southord. I've had the same short hook for three years and it has held up to a five-year-old bending it to a 90 degree angle, then bending it back and it is still my first reach for a pick. They also have good deals in the outlets. Some people think they are cheap, but I have never had any problems. IMHO they are a good choice, especially for beginning lockpickers.

[Eyes_Only]

I use a couple of SO slimline hook picks at work for when I encounter locks with smaller and more complex keyways like an Abus and they have held up well during the past year. I've put a pretty progressive bend into it too after using too much tension on the lock and have bent it back into shape a few times and they haven't broke yet.