If you could only have 1 tension wrench?

[Klaiviel]

If you could only carry one tension wrench what would it be? (i.e. serrated vs non-serrated, feather vs non-feather, twist vs no-twist, top-of-keyway vs normal, you get the idea)

For me it would be a custom (windshield wiper) double-sided non-serrated no-twist wrench for the bottom of the keyway with on side filed down for smaller keyways.

I prefer more rigid wrenchs due to the increased feedback even if it increases difficuly in applying constant pressure.

As a bonus if a lock is giving me a really hard time due to the wrench being double sided, I can hang a 1 oz counter-weight off the wrench to free up a hand.

[Josh K]

Peterson Prybar. Favorite tension wrench by far.

I've started to dislike twist or flexible tension wrenches. If though it helps you apply a more constant tension you can't feel as much as with a perfectly stiff wrench like the prybar.

[rontgens]

Same here, I'd go with a prybar but if it was only one it would have to be the thinner of the two because then it would fit more locks.

[geardog32]

i would have to say that i like my double ended wiper insert, one end for bottom of keyway one end for top. no twist or anything like that very stiff. i have one of the peterson flat five wrenches but its just not stiff enough.

[Klaiviel]

geardog32 could you post a picture of your wrench or something, I am having a hard time visualizing that.

[Unsightly Picks]

I use a flat serrated wrench (top of keyway) it works well, although, thats mostly because there are some locks you just cant pick without a flet wrnch.

[Rickthepick]

I only have one anyway.

long handled one you get in the southord set. Never fails me

[LocksmithArmy]

My favorite one is one I make out of a bobby pin... its not too long but its TOK and if it fits in the lock I know i can open it... some locks have too much room at the top for the little guy and he just wont fit... but thats usually the crappy locks

[Greasemagnet]

HPC tr-4

[Solomon]

I haven't got a Peterson prybar, but I do have their Flat-5 selection and judging by those I'd definately agree with the others. They're not actually the first wrenches I reach for since I mostly pick locks with pins at the bottom, and they're not always the comfiest for that... but, if I really could only have one tensioner, it'd have to be the prybar as it can handle just about anything (or so I hear).

[raimundo]

Relax, you can have more than one TW. It could only be in games like gringo warrior or in a real situation where you might only have one available and in that situation, you would have no choice, you would take what you could supply for yourself.
In a specific situation there will be a certain lock and the TW should be optimal for that lock. Anyway what you have is better than what you wish you had simply because haveing counts and wishing dosen't.

[pin_pusher]

i enjoyed the critical analysis of the topic in question, raimundo...whether usufruct supersedes Utopian "ideals" in particular situations. a placid look at something as simple as a TW. on the other hand: let's say it's a baddass life-or-death scenario, what you've been given is the "proper" TW for the lock, but this particular lock is covered in skulls and flames...would you then appreciate the situation more than you otherwise would have? just blew my mind!

[raimundo]

are we talking real skulls and flames, or artwork like your tattoo.

[pin_pusher]

just got my skull-flame-lockpicking-set tattoo last week actually.