HPC Computer Picks

[Josh K]

What do I need? More picks.... yeah.

I was taking a look at some of the HPC picks and I noticed this set of "computer generated" picks.



Not finding any information on them, can anyone confirm / deny their usefulness?

[Schuyler]

It's the brute force version of picking. Same concept as a King & Queen, only expanded to cover as wide a range of bittings as possible. This isn't for quick entry, as you have to be pretty methodical and patient and for most hobbiests it can be a fun diversion, but rarely delivers the same satisfaction of a traditionally picked lock.

They do work, but I couldn't give you an accurate opinion of their efficacy as I've only played with them a few times. In competition I have used my King & Queen to great effect, though, as a last resort. The king specifically has been a successful Hail Mary tool for me on 2 occasions when I thought I was screwed. Wouldn't be able to make use of a full computer gen set in that situation, though.

[Josh K]

King & Queen - took a search but I found it.

What would be the fastest rake / jiggler for use in a competition?

[Schuyler]

King & Queen - took a search but I found it.

What would be the fastest rake / jiggler for use in a competition?

Bogota is always my first pick in the lock.

My line-up goes (in order of failing to open the lock) Bogota - Deforest Diamond - Notched Med. Hook. Reset, repeat if I have time, if not I move on to: Large S - Deforest Diamond Again. Reset, if I have time I move to: Aggressive L-Rake (more aggressive profile than your standard L) drawn very shallow in the lock - Deforest Diamond yet again and if that fails and I'm not out of time, I do a last gasp w/the K&Q.

It's evolved over the years, but in a 5-10 minute round of picking, if I've failed to open the lock at the end, I've most likely gone through the full progression.

To be honest, I wish I was like jgor or PickPick and had the balls/confidence to SPP from the start. I have thought often about trying to start completely over and retrain, but I do very well with the methods I've developed myself so it's hard to give it up. I just don't think I'm ever going to be at Meister level until I've started fresh.

I am confident at this point in my sport picking that against most pickers, if both of us can open the lock, I can do it faster, but I'm not opening as many locks as I'd like to be, you know? jgor beat me in Vegas last year brutally by opening a lock in less than a third of the time allotted that I never managed to open at all. I still have the lock. It's my white whale

[Josh K]

King & Queen - took a search but I found it.

What would be the fastest rake / jiggler for use in a competition?

Bogota is always my first pick in the lock.

My line-up goes (in order of failing to open the lock) Bogota - Deforest Diamond - Notched Med. Hook. Reset, repeat if I have time, if not I move on to: Large S - Deforest Diamond Again. Reset, if I have time I move to: Aggressive L-Rake (more aggressive profile than your standard L) drawn very shallow in the lock - Deforest Diamond yet again and if that fails and I'm not out of time, I do a last gasp w/the K&Q.

It's evolved over the years, but in a 5-10 minute round of picking, if I've failed to open the lock at the end, I've most likely gone through the full progression.

To be honest, I wish I was like jgor or PickPick and had the balls/confidence to SPP from the start. I have thought often about trying to start completely over and retrain, but I do very well with the methods I've developed myself so it's hard to give it up. I just don't think I'm ever going to be at Meister level until I've started fresh.

I am confident at this point in my sport picking that against most pickers, if both of us can open the lock, I can do it faster, but I'm not opening as many locks as I'd like to be, you know? jgor beat me in Vegas last year brutally by opening a lock in less than a third of the time allotted that I never managed to open at all. I still have the lock. It's my white whale

Now this sounds interesting. What locks are you guys working over?

Bogota, got it. I had that down as one of my "picks to get" already, just wanted to know if this was worth it.

[Klaiviel]

Does anyone sell Bogota's or are they strictly diy? I wouldn't mind making one, I just figured I would give the Dremel a rest I am going to wear that thing out.

[Josh K]

Does anyone sell Bogota's or are they strictly diy? I wouldn't mind making one, I just figured I would give the Dremel a rest I am going to wear that thing out.

I think you can get close with some picks.



However, having someone make them for you can be worth it.



I sent him a PM to see if I can get on the short list for one of these beauties.

[Schuyler]

Made by Rai himself:

http://serepick.com/?page_id=69

Ratyoke, and now cowbite, do make absolutely stunning picks, but as far as utility is concerned, you want the originals. No added handle, no added weight, nothing in the way of the feedback you get from the tool. A lot of people will tell you that you can't get feedback from a rake. That's absolute bunk. With a Bogota I can get a quick impression of the topography of the lock in just a few swipes. That picture certainly gets clearer as I moved to SPP, but the Bogota both opens an absurd range of locks very efficiently, but also gives an excellent first impression of a lock.

Also - people routinely fail to understand the nature of the Bogota isn't simply it's peaks. They are important, to be sure, but the method of attack and spareness of the bent handles are essential.

And Josh - the lock I was talking about specifically was a custom pinned abus w/spools & serrated pins across every chamber. The bitting was eccentric, very challenging.

[Josh K]

Made by Rai himself:

http://serepick.com/?page_id=69

Ratyoke, and now cowbite, do make absolutely stunning picks, but as far as utility is concerned, you want the originals. No added handle, no added weight, nothing in the way of the feedback you get from the tool. A lot of people will tell you that you can't get feedback from a rake. That's absolute bunk. With a Bogota I can get a quick impression of the topography of the lock in just a few swipes. That picture certainly gets clearer as I moved to SPP, but the Bogota both opens an absurd range of locks very efficiently, but also gives an excellent first impression of a lock.

Also - people routinely fail to understand the nature of the Bogota isn't simply it's peaks. They are important, to be sure, but the method of attack and spareness of the bent handles are essential.

And Josh - the lock I was talking about specifically was a custom pinned abus w/spools & serrated pins across every chamber. The bitting was eccentric, very challenging.

I asked if Ratyoke could do a more traditional handle if he makes one for me. I like the style of the wood ones though.

Spools & serrated pins in every chamber? I would love to play with a lock like that.

[Klaiviel]

Made by Rai himself:
http://serepick.com/?page_id=69

Seeing as how I do not fall under "Military, Law Enforcement and Security Professionals" but am instead mere hobbyist it would seem I am SOL.

[Schuyler]

Made by Rai himself:
http://serepick.com/?page_id=69

Seeing as how I do not fall under "Military, Law Enforcement and Security Professionals" but am instead mere hobbyist it would seem I am SOL.

Email him. He's tightly connected to our community. Hence why Rai makes the picks at all.

[rontgens]

I have recieved my Bogota's from Serepick with Raimundo's help and they are happy to supply to the locksport community. I tried them on one lock and after one scrub it opened, amazing picks.
I'd love to try out all the other versions too to see how they fair on different locks.

[eppiotic]

I got mine a few weeks ago. Matt Fidler did an excellent job answering questions. Great Service @ serepick, and the picks work great!

[LocksmithArmy]

Sparrow picks are now making bogotas... they have handles though... I still would have to go with raimundos...
Serepicks titanium ones at .03 inches are amazing to be achine made id have to say the best, second only to the real raimundo bogas. but the titanium can take a beating more than the sweeper bristle...

and what shuyler says about the handles is too true, I have ratyolks bogota but the feel just inst right and I cant seem wo get the motion the way i want it... The picks ratyolk makes are amazing... and if he makes a traditional handle for you josh k id love to see it, but to get the whole quickness and perfection of the tool it needs the classic handle.

[Josh K]

Sparrow picks are now making bogotas... they have handles though... I still would have to go with raimundos...
Serepicks titanium ones at .03 inches are amazing to be achine made id have to say the best, second only to the real raimundo bogas. but the titanium can take a beating more than the sweeper bristle...

and what shuyler says about the handles is too true, I have ratyolks bogota but the feel just inst right and I cant seem wo get the motion the way i want it... The picks ratyolk makes are amazing... and if he makes a traditional handle for you josh k id love to see it, but to get the whole quickness and perfection of the tool it needs the classic handle.

I'll make sure to copy his pictures over here when he's done.

I'll take a look at the originals though I must say the traditional handle looks a lot more comfortable.