"Real" picks vs. handmade

[Chronos]

So I ordered my first set of picks a couple days ago, and I was wondering what to expect from them. The only thing I have ever used to pick a lock is a screwdriver bent at a 45 degree angle and a bobby-pin bent to resemble a short hook pick. I was able to pick your basic shlage or kwikset deadbolt in about a minute with these. So my question is, how much better should these new picks work than my old makeshift ones? I have heard a few varied opinions about this but I figured you guys would know better than anyone.
Thanks, Chronos

[Wesson357]

What kind are they?

[Chronos]

Here are the pics I bought:
http://www.sbkgotmilk.cleedo.com/picks.GIF

And here are the tension wrenches:

http://www.sbkgotmilk.cleedo.com/twist%20wrench.jpg

http://www.sbkgotmilk.cleedo.com/thinL.jpg

[Cman22]

The half diamond should work better on the schlage than a bobby pin. On the quickset i use short hooks but i've never used a double sided pick hook so you'll have to figure that one out .

[Murph]

IMHO, a pick whether homemade or bought from a supplier is only good as the person using it. Lockpicking is an art.

[archiebald]

Some people think that the picks you buy are better than home made ones I think that home made are just as good.If they work for you stick with them this is what the forum is all about also nice to see for a change keep up the good work and dont spend to much on crap you dont need some people have more cash than brains.

[Mad Mick]

Some of the so-called 'home-made' picks are actually superior in finish, balance and practicability. Some of our members have created picks which are truly innovative in design and function. In truth, most pick designs have come from dedicated professional locksmiths and hobby pickers alike, who have a passion for the profession/sport. Without further influx of new thinkers into this field, the tool market would be far less than it is now.

[Chronos]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I was sitting at work with nothing to do today so I made my first pick. It's not great, it's made out of a key ring, it pretty bulky, and incredibly ugly, but I successfully picked a cheap dead bolt with it. Now I am wondering, what can I easily make picks out of? I don't have access to a grinder, a dremel tool, and my wind shield wipers have plastic inserts. I've got a lot of allen keys but to grind one of those down with a file would be very very tough and I'm not gunna do it. If I had some street sweeper bristles I could use them but sadly my street does not get swept and the guy who had a supply of them has ran out. Anyways, sorry this post was so long, if anyone could give me some ideas of things to make usable picks out of I would be very grateful. I'm at my whits end with this.

[Jarod]

find a junked car with metal inserts or go to wally world and but the biggest (22"?) ste you can find with metal inserts, or look at yard sales/your attic or basement, or other places.
i've got picks made of wiper spines and i absoloutely love them and really suggest it as a pick making material, oh you could also get some hacksaw blades in substitution.

{edited by Varjeal: we don't condone "borrowing"=theft.}

[Jarod]

sorry, should be buy instead of but, and the instead of ste (how on earth did i get "ste" out of the???)