What should I buy?

[Snosnipe]

Hi,
My friend gave me $125 for a bet we made (I won), and i decided to buy a better pick set than i have.
I have successfully picked about 10 locks, but am still very much a beginner. I already have http://www.lockpickshop.com/MPXS-08.html , http://www.southord.com/Lock-Picking-Tools/Complete-Guide-To-Lock-Picking-52032.html , and http://www.lockpickshop.com/WP-10.html . I was wondering what i should buy, and decided to ask my good friends at lockpicking101. I want to be able to pick all of the locks there are, and maybe a good book on how to pick them (I take notes as I read). I also have another question- How do you pick Sentry security box.

Thanks,
Matt

[jgor]

I'm sure there will be differing opinions on what you should get, but I would recommend putting together a pickset from Peterson: http://peterson-international.com (it's probably cheaper to buy the picks individually, especially since you can choose only the picks you want.) They're quality high-end picks, a valuable addition to a serious picker's arsenal.

[datagram]

Some better tensions tools would be helpful. Go for the double sided or controlled tension tools available from numerous vendors.

dg

[Satan130]

at your level, i would worry less about the picks. you really only need 4 or 5 , and technically only 1(i know I'm going to get some heat for that one, but i digress). The important thing is knowing how to use them. on that note, i would recommend getting a few locks to practice on before buying an advance set of picks.

[Urbex]

I'm going to go along with a few other members here by saying don't waste your money on a set, buy your tools individually.

I currently own more tension tools than lock picks. A short hook will open just about anything, provided you apply the proper tension.

[ridinplugspinnaz]

While the Peterson sets are indeed really nice picks, I have to agree with urbex and datagram; a nice set of tension tools will go a very long way, and will probably prove more versatile in the long run than additional picks. I don't pick as often as I'd like to, but when I do I usually find that it's not the picks that are limiting my success in opening a lock, so much as the fact that I don't have a tension tool of the right shape / width on hand to do it.

That said, I'm coming up short on recommendations for a tension tool set. I've heard that LAB has a nice set, and as always Peterson makes some nice (albeit obscenely expensive) ones. Anyway I'll defer to some other LP101 members to make those recommendations. Heck, I'd like to hear them myself, I'm in the market for a nice variety set of wrenches too.

[bldiener]

If you can go around and try tons of stuff out and see what you like the best that is the only way to know what will work for you

[Major Boothroyd]

There are a couple people around here and other places that make incredible picks and tension wrenches, and would look into getting some of those. I'd look into making your own picks as well, if not maybe a couple individual picks in shapes that you don't have and think you need. A good book might be nice but it'll take a large chunk of that 125$ and you could be at the level that just whatever is available online is enough, and lastly of course, get yourself a couple locks to pick?

As for your second question, I did a quick search for Sentry security boxes and couldn't make out the type of lock they've got on there. So find that out, and search for a solution either on here or google, or just ask again(include the type of lock).

[globallockytoo]

You want to buy picks or locks?

Sentry boxes with tubular locks require a tubular pick.

[smttyxc92]

In accordance with what they said up there about the tension wrench, remember its the tension that opens the lock, not the pick

[yoyoboy]

Before we can give you any serious advice as to what picks to buy, we need to know what the bet was

[chev49]

Or you might also spend some $$ on tools to make the picks, etc. That will save you money in the long run. That's what I did after I initially bought a set a long time ago.

[illusion]

I have tried a lot of picks since I started and I have to say that my favourites are the orginal 12 pack SO slimlines that I bought when I first started. I've fine-sanded them down and the cheap leather case fell apart a while ago, but they still work. As much as I love the beautiful pick set from Falle, I use the SO set most of the time.

[poor paperclip picker]

Before other people bring the heat, since I got quite a bit when I asked. Security boxes like a Sentry Safe, (exactly what I asked about), is considered advance.

As for picks, I'd say buy them individually, and only get 5 tops. I bought 5 well 4 picks and one key extractor. I only use 2 or 3 regularly. So in my opinion, spend more on locks.

Hope that helps, and congrats on winning the bet

[Snosnipe]

Okay, thank you very much, guys. the bet was whether or not i could completely kill my friend in a video game.