What To Buy. Picks Sets For Beginners.

[DarkArchon]

Hi there, pretty new at lockpicking, but I'm already looking at a new set. I have a 5 piece Southord set I got as a gift from a friend, but after toying with it for a while the thin handles start to hurt. I was looking at the MPXS-14 set, which a lot of people seem to suggest and I'm sure has everything that I'll want for a long time. My main question was if they have the same thin handles as my current set? Can anyone provide a close up picture or two of them from the side instead of laying flat, that's the only type of picture I seem to be able to find.

I was also thinking of getting a practice lockpick set, something like this http://www.lockpicks.com/clearpracticelockset.aspx That one seemed to be fairly cheap and comes with a spool and standard pin. Are practice sets like this even worth it? Are there better ones I should look at?

Thanks ahead of time for the advice.

[DarkArchon]

It's been a few days, has nobody noticed this, or should I repost it in a different thread...

*bump in the hopes of a reply*

[freakparade3]

One cheaper option for you is to buy a product called "Plasti-Dip" it will put plastic handles on your picks. I have several picks I have done this for. Another option is to get some heat shrink tubing, it is available at any hardware store and works great as a cover for your handles.

As for the plastic locks I don't recommend spending the money on them. Your goal as a lockpicker is envision what is going on inside the lock. Looking inside the lock while picking is not really teaching you anything.

[jerrasis]

I am really impressed by lockpicktools.com's single pick selection. They have nice choices on handles too.
Does anyone know anything about the customer service there?

[freakparade3]

I am really impressed by lockpicktools.com's single pick selection. They have nice choices on handles too.
Does anyone know anything about the customer service there?

They are a great company to deal with. No worries.

[jerrasis]

I am really impressed by lockpicktools.com's single pick selection. They have nice choices on handles too.
Does anyone know anything about the customer service there?

They are a great company to deal with. No worries.

Thanks. I think I'm going to put in an order today.

[loki2030]

so im new to this whole lockpicking thing and i have the 14 peice set except now that i have my picks and such i need some locks to practice on. i need some recommendations on what to buy as a beginner. i dont really know anything about locks when it comes to how difficult they are to pick since i really havnt started yet except on an american brand and i here there actually the hardest. im surprised this question hasnt come up before too. im looking for something cheap that i can hone my skills on also.

please and thank you

[jos weyers]

Rakes are not good for beginners to play with. First learn to SPP (single pin pick) and then work on raking.
freakparade3

In Amsterdam we lately started to learn beginners first to rake. We found it easier for the students to first learn how much force to use and then how to pick single pin.
We used to do it the other way around, but raking did prove to be a good exercise (if explained correctly)

[PickPhooey]

Well, I suppose I have to introduce meself somewheres, here's proably a good place. Been picking for about a month now. Started on a Kwik-Pick I got off a tool truck and at first it baffled me along with how this whole thing worked. Since then, i've picked a Master No. 40, 1,3,5, and some Master thing that has no number, only a PEJ on the back, I count 6 pins on this one, one security pin, i think? I've done quite a bit of reading and added a few things to my arsenal here and there, and not doing badly. All of the locks above I am able to SPP with 6 of 8 picks in a starter set, along with the kwik-pick. Did I start in the right place/way? Should I place emphasis on something in particular? I've gt the "feel" of a pick down, but struggle with some locks, have ease with others. How does one stay sharp and on the edge in this bedsides practice? The arsenal has grown to a formidable amout of picking phooey, but any pointers on what to do first besides practice on SPP? Just to gauge where im at skill wise, I'm SPP'ing my schlage front door lock in 5-10 seconds, both kwik-pick and starter set. Am I on target or is this not even close? Just a curious beginner I guess. I'd appreciate any help/advice from any aspect. I have nothing but the utmost respect for everyone here, for I am the newest at this and all have something to offer, even me. Thanks again for reading, hope to hear from all.....

PickPhooey

[bushd]

Doing this from a palm pre so spelling doesn't count.

Someone mentioned before about making your own beginner picks and I have to say that this really is a great way if you have time, a dremel and some carbon steel hacksaw blades. I made so many and botched so many as well but the overall quality and feel was better and customized to my liking. Shaped the tip and popped into xacto blade handles for knock off high end picks - I forgot their name now. I've even purchased a navigator set and I don't like them as much s the ones I made due to pick width.

I'd say shaping your favorite picks yourself and a king and queen really is the best way to go. If not, get the cheapest you can find and some good sand paper.

[jos weyers]

after toying with it for a while the thin handles start to hurt.

one word:
ducktape.

[jos weyers]

ducktape.

Plastic sleeves are also useful, but with those you tend to loose quite a lot of feedback.
After a while you'll grow callosities or the habit of using less tension.
Still:
At the end of lockcon for example i could hardly hold a pen and once i opened my lock in the last German games, it was colored red.

So, some pain will probably stay.

[PickPhooey]

ducktape.

Plastic sleeves are also useful, but with those you tend to loose quite a lot of feedback.
After a while you'll grow callosities or the habit of using less tension.
Still:
At the end of lockcon for example i could hardly hold a pen and once i opened my lock in the last German games, it was colored red.

So, some pain will probably stay.

This almost sounds as if it could be solved by someone with a lathe and some time to spare... I'd be more than willing to buy them if they were made cheap and readily available. There has got to be a better way somewhere than plastic or skinny handles that don't fit the natural contour of the hand, no matter how you hold the pick, lefty or righty. As a mechanic my hands are shot enough from poor design or vibration damage. Then add a couple of hours of strain....now the gears are starting to turn.

Phooey

[Squelchtone]

after toying with it for a while the thin handles start to hurt.

one word:
ducktape.

HPC also sells nice foam handles that slide over the normal metal handles. My HPC half diamond with foam handle (thanks Doug Farre!) is one of my favourite picks and handles.

Squelchtone

[Squelchtone]

oh how i miss the edit button

foam pick handle/grip for any metal handled pick from any brand, including home made picks, not just HPC:
http://www.hpcworld.com/Picks/p_pkgrip.htm

Squelchtone