New guy needs opinions

[PApicker]

Hello everyone,

I am new here from PA and I'm 33 years old. I started picking just recently. I started with paper clip rakes but last night I made a snake rake from a hacksaw blade and tonight I made a hook. I successfully picked a Master no.1 which probably isn't the hardest lock but I am hooked

I still want to purchase a factory set of picks but I am confused with all the options.
I have looked at the Southord mpxs-14 and -8 sets as well as the sparrows tuxedo, hpc novice, and the Peterson pocket sets. Which would you all recommend? I have never handled a real set of picks, I just guessed on dimensions when I made my two picks. I want a set that will work for me as a novice and as I improve.

Thanks

[catsoup]

This is a good place to start.

Personally I like spring steel picks over stainless, as they have less 'give'
HPC are extremely well made, Southord has excellent customer service.

You will probably find that you only use a handful, but it's good to try out a number of different picks, but don't go crazy right away. You won't need 50 picks. The 14 piece sets are a good start.

[fgarci03]

I personally like SouthOrd.

They may not be top quality but they are pretty good (at least to me!)


I saw a video somewhere where the lockpicker bends a half diamond pick, bends it back to normal and pick the lock the same way, just to show the durability of the picks.

My personal opinion is that they aren't neither too hard, nor too soft. So they are a good place to start and to improve, and only when you are a real experienced lockpicker will you need new picks. Just a personall opinion though.

My half diamond has started to bend a bit because of the force I used when I was a newbie (not that I aren't anymore, but I'm a bit better ) See the image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ezbgw7revfo6 ... .09.00.jpg

I bent it back but it's not perfect. But it does the job. A really good job!

If you live in the US, choose a regular kit, if in Europe, choose the SlimLine kits (they are a bit narrower to fit the locks here).
I advise you not to buy a big set (the ones you mencioned aren't bad, just don't go higher than that) because most of the tools you will never use.

I bought the smaller one, then bought a few individual picks I wanted, and later I bought a Pagoda pick set (that I only use 2 or 3 picks from it).


I'm looking forward for a review of whatever lockpick set you buy

Be safe!