What did you pick today?

[phrygianradar]

I finally picked this Best SFIC that has been messing with me for a week and a half! Oh, what a relief. The bad news is now I don't have anything new to pick Time to go back and pick something from my collection...hmmm, everybody has been having fun with the American locks lately. Better play suit! I love those tricky spoorated drivers and serrated pins! Time to get nice and frustrated all over again! Maybe it won't be as bad after all this practice I've been doing on the SFIC cores....No, it will be. Those things are the Debble!

[phrygianradar]

Here are what I have been working on.

http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/Natha ... sort=3&o=8

The ones I got to keep for myself, that is. Been picking these for a locksmith by my work and he lets me keep one for every one I pick for him. Although after a few sets I've only been keeping one for every three or so. I don't want to take advantage of his kindness! It has been a mix of Falcon, Best (mostly), and a couple of Arrow. Some 6-pins, some 7-pins, some broken springs/missing pins, some really nice, some not so nice, yada, yada. I think I have tapped him out though. Does anybody know of a source to buy these cores unpicked and without keys? I have really been enjoying picking them and don't want to stop!

[easy-e]

Here are what I have been working on.

http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/Natha ... sort=3&o=8

The ones I got to keep for myself, that is. Been picking these for a locksmith by my work and he lets me keep one for every one I pick for him. Although after a few sets I've only been keeping one for every three or so. I don't want to take advantage of his kindness! It has been a mix of Falcon, Best (mostly), and a couple of Arrow. Some 6-pins, some 7-pins, some broken springs/missing pins, some really nice, some not so nice, yada, yada. I think I have tapped him out though. Does anybody know of a source to buy these cores unpicked and without keys? I have really been enjoying picking them and don't want to stop!

Nice picking! You could always get a friend to re-pin them for you. Then you would have an unlimited amount of different locks to pick!

That is a sweet deal though.

[phrygianradar]

Yes, easy-e, for sure a good deal! It took me a while to get in good with the locksmith; I had to buy a lot of stuff from him first, but after we got to talking for a few months and he knew I had gotten my locksmithing licence, he suggested the idea. I was wrong though about him being out of cylinders. He gave me one more, it's called a "keyMark" SFIC, and the keyway is really tough to get a pick into! I will have to post a picture of it later, my (work) computer is acting dumb.

I don't want to get them all decoded because I kind of want to learn how to do that myself. I am looking for a good book on everything to do with SFIC. I just think locks are so cool! Can I get an AMEN brothers?!

[phrygianradar]

Well, since I hit enter on the last post, I started picking the "KeyMark". Done. It only has six pins and it is in very nice shape, so it was a slam dunk. No tricky spools or anything. I used my Peterson slims hook, bada bing. Now I'm back to having nothing new to pick...

[phrygianradar]

Here are the pictures of the KeyMark. It's in really nice shape.

http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/Natha ... 4519380306

And picked...

http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/Natha ... sort=3&o=0

Enjoy!

[easy-e]

Very nice phrygianradar!

What Peterson set do you have?

I picked all 9 of my commando locks twice last night. Each time going from locked to shackle removed, back to locked. Been practicing varying tension and feeling the difference between spools and serrated pins.

[phrygianradar]

I got the Peterson 20, but find I only really use about 3 of the picks on a really regular basis. Like most, I favor the hook and half-diamond mostly, but absolutely love the Peterson Jem! The jem is my favorite pick of all time. Don't know why, it just works for me. If I get a lock that I just need to open as quick as I can (not for fun, basicly) I will first rake it with the snake rake, ripple, and then the triple rake. If those don't work I will SPP. I really like the feel of Peterson picks, but I also have a good asortment of Southord picks as well.

All in all, the Peteson 20 has been a good set for me and I have used each pick at least a few times for different locks. The only pick I have never used is the half snowman! I just took it out and put in a mini knife, which I use on combo locks pretty frequently. It is a cool addition to the kit I have. Yesterday when picking that "KeyMark" SFIC I had to use the slenders, so I am glad to have a nice selection of picks at my disposal. You never know what may come your way!

What do you use to pick?

[easy-e]

I don't have a whole lot of picks. I have some cheap stamped ones that I started out with in addition to a few of the regular spring steel ones from Peterson. I eventually broke my reach, but I mainly use the regular hook and the deforest. I don't use my half diamond, snake, or city rake very often. I bought two hooks with different handles, one rubber and one molded plastic. I definitely like the molded plastic better so I'm happy they are coming out with the Euro style picks in Gov. Steel with molded plastic handles. I'm going to upgrade to the Government steel and pickup the slender set. I somehow did not buy a gem the first go around but I will be getting one on this next order. I have some normal hand tools to my kit since these pictures were taken, but here are some pictures of my tools: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=47264&p=409444#p409444

I would like to collect hooks from lots of brands like Kilae posted on Monday: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=852&p=414064#p414064

I finally lost my Best virginity last night. I didn't think I even owned any Best locks until I was digging through my stash last night. Still haven't picked it to control though...

[Solomon]

Got this off ebay the other day. Squire 6 lever insurance padlock:



No false gates, but the lever pack needs squeezed together to get any binding... and because the 6th lever is maximum lift, I couldn't use wires without slipping off the bolt. Dangerfields sorted it out in no time though.

[phrygianradar]

I don't have a whole lot of picks. I have some cheap stamped ones that I started out with in addition to a few of the regular spring steel ones from Peterson. I eventually broke my reach, but I mainly use the regular hook and the deforest. I don't use my half diamond, snake, or city rake very often. I bought two hooks with different handles, one rubber and one molded plastic. I definitely like the molded plastic better so I'm happy they are coming out with the Euro style picks in Gov. Steel with molded plastic handles. I'm going to upgrade to the Government steel and pickup the slender set. I somehow did not buy a gem the first go around but I will be getting one on this next order. I have some normal hand tools to my kit since these pictures were taken, but here are some pictures of my tools: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=47264&p=409444#p409444

I would like to collect hooks from lots of brands like Kilae posted on Monday: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=852&p=414064#p414064

I finally lost my Best virginity last night. I didn't think I even owned any Best locks until I was digging through my stash last night. Still haven't picked it to control though...

Good job with your Best lock! Those are a real bear! I think we have the same Best SFIC "shell", it's hard to know because there are no markings on mine. Let us know when you pick it to control; it'll happen if you keep at it! It is an amazing feeling when the core slips out for the first time in who knows how long! All cruddy and nasty!

I like your set up, way more organized than mine. I have quite a collection of hooks, but find that I really only use two a lot. Having said that, each one has had a go at least a few times. You find your faves.

[fgarci03]

I got this lock today:




Regular key with 10 passive dimples. Weird but cool!

[phrygianradar]

Nice pick fgarci03! did it pick like a normal 5-pin after all? I know I asked in another thread, but just incase, I will ask again. Still, very cool lock!

[fgarci03]

Yep, going to post on the other thread what it feels like anyway. But here it is (taken from another place I already wrote it ):

It's just like picking a regular pin tumbler. Don't even need to beware for the side pins. When you pick it, even if the side pins are being pressed, you feel a slight rotation which means it's poped. Just remove your pick and the plug will rotate.

The only problem I found is that the warding on the top of the keyway makes you need to go with your pick in an S shape all the way to the sheerline. And when you don't set the pin at the first time, the side pin gets on the way of it, making it difficult to reach the pin.

Thanks for you feedback

[phrygianradar]

I have been messing about with a Kaba Gemini and the hardest part is dodging all the darn pins! I'm not even close on that one yet, but it gives me something to shoot for! Nice picking again, and really cool lock; I can't say I don't want one of my own now!