Your views on HPC Picks

[Scope]

Hey, i am going to buy HPC picks, just wanted some views form people that have used these befour. Any comments on pick feedback, handling, how strong they are etc.. I'm Only buying a basic set not the large sets. So, how do they compare to the likes of SouthOrd (Max Range or basic) or Majestic picks (Pro range)? Both of which i own sets from. I know the advice will take time, just wanted to know what others think of this range.

Thanks

Scope

[dmux]

I think they are over rated myself for the price. I much prefer peterson than HPC. Peterson take a little finishing, but once you sand them down they are butter and much better than HPC.

[edsmiley]

Probably the best place to look for good breakdowns of many brands (HPC soon to come apparently) is LocksmithArmy's site: http://www.locksmitharmy.com/lock-picks.php

It really will be up to personal opinion for different brands. I have seen comments all across the board about HPC picks from horrible to wonderful. If you can, get your hands on one or two and try them out. That way you don't have to spend for an entire kit unless you are certain you like the feel and feedback. I have a few HPCs (from the TOOOL set) and they are pretty nice, but I tend to reach for either a custom or a Peterson before the HPC. Why? I can't really say I guess, just habit.

The other thing to keep in mind is handles and steel of the pick brands. For instance, HPC has steel, foam, and rubber handles. Peterson has multiple handles along with multiple steel types. So when reading review, consider the type of handle and steel used.

Finally, I must say that I have not heard many bad reviews of the Peterson line. While I have not necessarily been looking, when I see a question like this, Peterson's come back with favorable opinions.

Good luck!
Ed

[ChonkyTonks]

I concur with the statements here; Peterson picks are superior to HPC, in my opinion. They are strong, flexible and have good feedback. Also, the pick cases they sell are phenomenal.

-ChonkyTonks

[maintenanceguy]

HPC are very good for the price. Most of what I use professionally is HPC. Most similar to Majestic.

In my opinion, Peterson's are 20% better for 300% the price. For my money, I'll go with HPC's or just about any of the middle of the road professional supply companies.

Some lock picks are junk but if you don't consider the real junk, one manufacturer's picks are probably just as effective as another. It's a poor musician that blames his instrument. I think I can pick just as many locks with HPC as I could with Peterson's.

[MBI]

HPC makes a few different varieties of "traditional" picks that I know of. Thicknesses listed are of the pick tips, not necessarily the handles:

-Spring steel picks, plain handle, 0.022" thick. These have the same shape of handle as their regular picks, just without handle scales. The majority of their "classic" pick shapes are available with this style handle. If you buy any of their medium to large size pick sets you'll find it padded with a lot of these picks because they're cheaper than the handled picks. Their "Emergency Pick Set" is just six of these picks riveted together at the bottom end of the handes. They also make their P-13 pick in this thickness which is a skinny, 5" long double sided pick with a half diamond on one end and a rake on the other.

-Heavy duty spring steel picks, plain handle, 0.035" thick. I've only seen four different pick shapes in this thickness. They are obscenely thick unable to maneuver in many keyways very well.

-Spring steel picks with stainless steel handles, 0.022" thick. These are the same as the plain picks except these have handle scales riveted on. They are probably the most common HPC picks you're likely to see. I've seen them for sale individually, commonly for around $2 to $3 each at the retail level, although locksmiths are able to get them cheaper at the wholesale level. They are a fairly durable pick. It's possible to bend them, but the metal is hard enough that I've occasionally seen them snap instead of bend when very heavy pressure was applied. Between their durability and low price it's easy to see why they are such a common pick for locksmiths to carry. Or at least the locksmiths who actually try to pick locks instead of just drilling them.

-Heavy duty spring steel picks with stainless steel handles, 0.028" thick. Just like their regular picks, but a little thicker. They're pretty strong and I usually use these picks and a Weiser or Kwikset deadbolt when teaching newbies because they rarely mess up these picks. I've only seen three different pick shapes in this thickness. I've seen these advertised as being 0.025" thick but every one I've ever measured has been 0.028" so I don't know if the stores were mistaken with their different measurement, or if HPC made them in a 0.025" thickness at some point in the past and I just haven't run across any yet.

-Spring steel picks with a foam rubber handle, 0.022" thick. I've only seen three or four different pick shapes available with these handles. The handles are very bulky, but if you really want them the handles are available separately and will slide onto any of the spring steel or heavy duty spring steel picks except for the P-13.

-Stainless steel picks with stainless steel riveted handles, 0.020" thick. This is called their "2000 series" and is a newer and completely different line of picks than their regular picks that have been around for ages. In addition to different materials, the pick shapes are different also. I like their extractors in this line, they are very sharp and grabby. I like three of the pick shapes in this line, but overall I find these picks to be a little bit too bendy for my taste. I've seen these sell individually for around $5.50 to $6.50 at the retail level.

-Stainless steel picks with moulded rubber handles, 0.020" thick. The tips on these are the same as are available for the 2000 Series picks. I don't really care for these handles. They are bulky and feel weird. I think these have been discontinued.

-Stainless steel picks with "short sure-grip" moulded rubber handles. These handles are just like the above picks, except half the length, giving the picks an overall length of around 3". I think these are still being made and have the same tip shapes and price range as the 2000 Series picks.

The edges of all the HPC picks I've ever tried have been as rough as files. Whichever ones you try, you're going to want to invest in some wet/dry sandpaper.

They also make a few other types of pick sets for pin tumbler locks like a snap gun, electric pick, "computer generated" pickset, pen pick, a jackknife pickset and a dental-style pickset which is a three piece set that looks just like some stainless steel dental tools.

They also make several types of picks for non pin tumbler locks including: warded, cruciform keyway, double sided wafer locks, letter-box and tubular.

I agree with ChonkyTonks about their leather cases. They are rather durable, although somewhat pricey if you try to buy them separately.

[Storm]

I think MBI has said it all, but remember choosing a brand / style of pick is a very personal choice!

Yes there are many variations in materials, thickness, finishes, for the handle and pick end and price point is a big factor for most. But most of us have got an old faithful or a mixed bag of picks, it really depends on what suits your grip and ability.

Choose a thickness that's relevant to the average keyway that you come across. From then its a personal thing, i have average size hands but still prefer a thicker handled pick, so that i dont have to grip it as hard.

I dont like the feel of rubber, resin or plastic for my handles as i tend to loose too much of the feedback. Therefore i have to way up comfort, over clarity of feedback...

Those are the variables i follow, yours may be different!

But i dont think you can go wrong with a Southord laminated handle as a start up set.

Or do as i did and bought 1 of every commercial pick i could find worldwide... but then i am a it of a pick freak!