Thinking about cutting down a pick to fit better in schlage

[dirtymoney]

I have a bunch of schlage lock cylinders that I will be playing with for some time. And for the past few days trying to pick one I have found that my half-diamond pick doesnt fit well in the keyway because of how jagged the keyway shape is & because the pick's arm is too thick. Note: I am trying to keep the pick in the top part of the keyway where the pins are.

I have a deforest pick that works very well in the top part of the keyway because it's arm is very thin, but it only works halfway into the lock because it is curved like a hook pick & wont fully fit into the top section (where the pins are) in the keyway ... see diagram.. http://imgur.com/waFki .

I am thinking that IF I had a straight version of the deforest pick (because it has such a thin arm and small half-diamond head) ... that it would be perfect for picking these particular schlage locks.

I realize that I COULD just pick it by turning the pick slightly in order to fit in the keyway better, but its awkward for me to pick this way.

I am thinking about cutting down a LARGE half diamond pick that i bought that I really dont have a use for. Or a "W" lockpick ( http://www.spyemporium.com/images/products/st-mp-10.jpg ) I also recently bought that i have no idea what it is used for because it is so large. What IS it used for exactly?

So what do you think?

[gilduran]

I've filed down the shank of a small hook for this same reason. The only precaution I would give, is that after narrowing down the shank, it will make it more prone to bending, depending on the material of the pick.

I've got a set of Peterson's Slender picks, that work very well in my Schlage, and other heavily warded locks. The material is thin and flexible, allowing me to pick from the bottom of the keyway, yet still able to lift the pins without any problems.

That pick you posted the link to, looks like a shortened rake pick. Perhaps for locks with a small number of pins?

[Wizer]

I realize that I COULD just pick it by turning the pick slightly in order to fit in the keyway better, but its awkward for me to pick this way.

a "W" lockpick ( http://www.spyemporium.com/images/products/st-mp-10.jpg ) I also recently bought that i have no idea what it is used for because it is so large. What IS it used for exactly?

So what do you think?

I think you should practice to move your pick past the warding. You can´t pick most locks like you do yours. Schlages usually have all the room a regular hook needs, so don´t modify a pick for that. Some more restrictive keyways may need a thinner pick, but its better to start with your "normal" picks. Chances are you will break a thin pick when learning.
The pick in the pickture, Deforest or an offset halfdiamond, is one of my favourite picks. Thinline deforest can reach deep pins in narrow keyways.
That pick you asked about is a rake. For long I thought it was a poor broken key extractor, I´ve never used one alltho I got 3 of them. Good idea to make a more useful pick out of those.

[mccrotch]

you should be able to pick up a lockpick set for cheap that will have the picks you want/need.
It looks like a beginner pick set should contain it.

ex.
http://www.lockpicks.com/8piecelockpickset-mpxs-08.aspx

I've had great success with the flat picks in this set (in fact, most times the flat pick and torsion wrench are all I need):
http://www.lockpicks.com/brockhage-lock ... -b230.aspx