I have it dowwn to about 5 kits for my first set.

[shatar]

looking for opinions on this one.

ok.... spring steel or stainless.

thinking either this southord set
http://www.lockpicks.com/14piecepolymer ... xs-14.aspx
or this HPC Set
http://www.lockpicks.com/tyro-lock-pick ... ip-15.aspx

this will be my first set. or i could allwase go cheep and get this one.
http://www.southord.com/Lock-Picking-To ... S-05L.html

but then there are these...
http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/kick_start_p/s-0.htm

so what should i get.

I am guessing awol70 will say sparrows. but would like his reasoning.
thanks...

[MrAnybody]

All of the choices you're looking at are viable, and worthwhile as a starter set. The only one I'd hesitate to recommend would be the 14 pieces SouthOrd set you link to. SouthOrd make nice picks, but I haven't had any of that particular set in my hand. I'm curious if the steel of the handles go all the way down, or if they're cut off half way and set in the polymer handles.

Given the choices you've put forward, how about going about it in a slightly different way? I'd suggest buying a slightly bigger case from SouthOrd, and buying the picks as separate picks, and making some tensioners from windshield wiper inserts. Picks in general can be cheap and will give you the chance to experiment. In that way, you go for your cheapest option but you have some space for you to make some additions to your tool set as you go forward.

I also subscribe to the point of view that tensioners are as important (if not more important) than the picks themselves. With space in your case you can make some perfect ones with wiper inserts (search the forum, I'd guess a majority of people go down this route). They will cost nothing and you have the satisfaction of making them with no skills needed.

Given my hestitation on the 14 piece you link to how about the other 14 piece SouthOrd offer (MPXS-14)? Now that is a great set to start with in my opinion. Good quality, covers the bases ..... but the case is still a snap button small .... that would make me go back to my first suggestion. $19 for the PXS-17C case is OK, and gives you the room to grow I mention.

The offerings from HPC and Sparrows are also good, and there will be other opinions from the guys here that are just purely as personal as my own.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[catsoup]

I'd say everything in the previous post is fairly accurate. here are my opinions

Have you used any picks before? It does come mostly down to preference. I have accumulated a fairly large variety of different manufactures picks, and have used every pick that you listed. (as many people here will have) you will know what you like fairly quickly.

I would shy away from those without some kind of reinforced handles. the mpxs14 is a fairly standard recommendation for a new picker. I personally would suggest the spring steel HPC picks. They are some of the best picks I have owned, though you will find there are better or worse options for individual picks. if you want to try a bunch of different picks, get the southord variety pack, though i would say the hpc picks are higher quality and more useable.

[shatar]

if vararity is good then maby for now i should just get the southord PXS-05L
and wait for toool to make more of these.
Beginner' Blend Pick Kit - $30
i think it is hpc and some other brand...
also, i do have access to a sewing machine so i have no issue making my own case in fact i might no matter what set i get.
best part is the fabrick would be free the advantage of doing IT work for an interior design showroom...

[shatar]

I'd say everything in the previous post is fairly accurate. here are my opinions

Have you used any picks before?
<snip>
other that using a pendaflex hanger as a slimjim in the 80's and using a paperclip to get to the pin in the back of a desklock to pull the core when i have ben at a new cube with a locked drawer and lost key no.

[torugl]

I have the SouthOrd 14pc set, and there steel handle goes all the way. The rubber handle is just a slip-on.

I have not found any of the picks very usefull. Just after buying this kit, i bough a offset half Diamond and I bough another kit that had a little thinner hooks.
But I use the tension tools from the SouthOrd kit.

In the end, I recommend that you buy another kit then the SouthOrd 14pc kit as your first pick kit.

[brinard]

i like the hpc spring steel with reinforced handles. they lasted a LOOOONG time before they both broke. plus that set comes with an extractor. I really only use the hook, rake, and snake rake.

having said that, i have not used any other manufacturer. i made my own picks, tensioners, and various other tools. i try not to pay for tools i am able to make. i use stainless steel plumbing snake to make my picks.

i would recommend sparrows for pick cases. then buy/make single picks.

hpc and sparrows get my vote.

[Squelchtone]

Hi and welcome to the forum,

May I also recommend doing a quick Search or browse of the forum to see what others have purchased or were recommended. This question comes up a lot, so there are many thread already available as a resource for you when choosing the best beginner pick set.

My only recommendation is for you to save some money by using the Coupon code: LP101 at the forum's sponsor http://lockpickshop.com/ which is located in the Boston area. They stock Southord and Peterson pick tools.

Squelchtone

[Bob Jim Bob]

The southard c1510 or mpxs14 set will get you started just fine.

[boggif]

I'd personally avoid Southord plastic sleeved picks. I think they feel a lot like a heat shrink tube over the no-handle SO pick. They are a bit soft though which someone might prefer. (I kind of like that for rakes!) A case like MPXS-14 is hard to fit in with more than 4 plastic handle picks if you want to get them in and out easily. The non-handled ones are cheap to replace though. (You'll reuse the handle speeves with the new picks)

MPXS-14 is a great set on the other hand, but the case is not as nice as a zippered one. You can upgrade the case when/if the set grows later on. On some locks (like europian cylinders) SO thick ones can feel too big. (For europian locks or smaller locks a set like C1500 might be a good beginner choise).

HPCs are great picks, at least the couple ones I've used (spring steel, metal handles). They are a bit like SO but feel a bit smaller and fit smaller keyways a bit better than SO thick picks (but not as well as SO thin ones). The metal handles are a lot like SO handles. I think SO vs HPC is a tough call because it is a lot about preference.

[Legion303]

None of the above. Get Petersons or roll your own for the best results.

(I do like HPC, but the all-metal handles can get uncomfortable after awhile, especially if you have big hands.)

-steve

[boggif]

I think Petersons are great (my favourite for the locks they fit in) but they have only a few reasonable beginner sets (like City set). Pick yourself kit is ok too, but difficult to choose for a beginner. I assumed they were rejected already on choosing sets.

If one wants to try out Peterson a set like euro-series small diamond, small hook (hook1), larger hook (hook4) or an offset diamond and a rake of choise would give a very cheap set if one chooses plastic handles and spring steel. For rakes I'd choose something like snake and/or city-rake perhaps. Add a couple tension wrences from windsheel wiper blades and you have a great $10-$13 set.

I think Peterson vs. Southord comes back to preferences. Either one should do well enough for a beginner.

[shatar]

may sound strange but in the end I decided to give the storm picks a go. i just put the order in so in a week or 2 via however they ship i should have some picks to play with.

[MrAnybody]

may sound strange but in the end I decided to give the storm picks a go. i just put the order in so in a week or 2 via however they ship i should have some picks to play with.

Fantastic, shatar! Great to read you're all sorted with picks ..... now to watch the driveway for the beauties to arrive!!

Have fun!!