Sourhord MAX yield slim vs. HPC 2000

[ARF-GEF]

It’s a similar topic as the thread posted right before me.
So Christmas is coming and I’ve been looking into buying some new picks. I still have to sort a few questions out, but I’ve closed down on 2 options.

I’ve found SouthOrd MAX High Yield Lock Pick Sets (the slim 0.023" line).
(M2000B to be specific, but nothing is fixed yet.)
They seem to be really high quality.( Though SO. has a bad rep, doesn’t it?)
Are they really good? They are somewhat pricey.

Another one I’m considering is The HPC 2000. It’s a cheaper but with the 30% off on SO. it’s not such a big difference. The SO. have the lifetime guarantee (and incidentally nicer grips),( and a lifetime guarantee is a very convincing reason in my eyes) but many people said that SouthOrds-s are inferior in quality to HPC-s. Also the HPC 2000-s although thin, seem to have quite a width. Can't that be a problem with restrictive paracentric keyways?

I know that Petersons are probably the best but a comparable set would be too expensive to me.
Also I was assured that both HPC2000 and SO. max slim-s work excellently with the restrictive European locks so I will probably stick with those. At least for now.

I’m pretty much fixed on the euro-style slim picks because I have a lot of locks with tight and restricted keyways.
I’m not ultimately fixed on these 2, I've found nothing better apart from peteresons, but I’m open to any and every suggestions.
Anyone with opinion/experience with them?

Thank you for your advice guys!

[MrAnybody]

I got 2 of the SouthOrd MAX slimline picks (short hook and half diamond) and I love 'em. Personally, I find the SouthOrd Slimlines in general great picks to work with, but saying that, I've yet to find a reason to pick with anything else other than SouthOrds. Each to his own I guess.

The MAX slimlines are nice a strong, but still fine to tell you whats going on inside. I get along with the handles too.

Of course, the only thing with the MAXs is that they aren't the cheapest, but I'm happy I bought them. If you buy from SouthOrd themselves this Christmas season, put HOLLY12 as a voucher code. Hopefully, it still works. A sweet 30% off.

I can't speak for the HPCs as I don't have any. Nor Petersons. I'd love some Petersons, but trying to find a cheap dealer in UK is something I've never looked well enough into.

[catsoup]

I would not recommend buying a complete set of either the HPC stainless, or the SO MAX.

I have a handfull of HPC picks, and I've found the stainless picks are not very different from the SO stainless picks. The HPC spring steel picks however, I really enjoy.
I have medium hooks, half diamond, and S rakes, each in SO stainless with handles, HPC stainless with handles, and HPC spring with handle. I prefer the spring steel on all accounts. I do like the HPC stainless half diamond though. The spring steel has both less horizontal and vertical bend, it is overall a much stiffer tool, which I think serves well.

As for the SO MAX, They are expensive, however they are very strong, and SO is massively helpful with their warranties. I've used the MAX-12 pick since before it was released, and when it broke (after two years) it was replaced with no hassle whatsoever. The design of this pick (the batman looking "W" rake) is very fragile, and the SO MAX is by far the strongest I have used. I like this design a lot, and when Lenny said they were making a new series of super strong picks, I asked to try this design specifically, and have not been disappointed. The plastic handles are meh okay. very lightweight, and not offensive.

I think what I am saying is that these picks are not directly comparable, and maybe you should pick and choose which type best serves the pick design you are looking for. I see no reason to buy a MAX ball or diamond or even hook, because those designs are not often put under much stress, and the rigidity of spring steel will serve well enough for tactile response.

[catsoup]

just a point of clarifications, I am referring to the MAX .031" picks. I have used the MAX slimline picks, however I don't own any, so I can only really speak to the durability of originals. The .023" are less rigid (obviously) but not detrimentally so.

[ARF-GEF]

Thanks for the help!
You made my decision harder though:D. I've almost settled on the HPC 2000... Now I'm back to tier 1. argh...

Thank you for the coupon code. That the primary reason why I'm even considering SO. Otherwise they would be too expensive. Does anyone happen to know when does the coupon expire?

The fact that I've heard people vouching for both probably means that both are good sets. But really, I'm absolutely clueless about which one to pick...

[catsoup]

I imagine the coupon expires either the 25th or the 31st. The email didn't say.

You can get both. I imagine you already have some picks, so just buy individuals that you think will add something new or improved to your set.