Buying my first tools

[Kyubey]

Hey guys, sorry if this is in the wrong spot, it's my first post. I'm planning on buying my first tools from Southord , but I have a few questions that I haven't been able to find answers for.

1) Long vs short tension tools? Twisted vs standard? What's the mechanical difference and Is one better than the other?

2) I know what type of picks I should get, but what quality should I get? Should I just get the cheaper ones, or the nicer ones with metal handles? Does one provide more feedback than the other? Is one more comfortable than the other? If I get the cheap ones, should I put the PVC grips on them?

3) Standard or slimline picks? I live in the US, so will it matter for me? Does one give better feedback than the other? Is one more durable than the other?

I want to learn to single pin pick tumbler locks well, and not just scrape/jiggle them open, so I'm trying to buy tools that have good feedback and will be comfortable to use when picking for more than a few minutes.

Thanks for the help!

[silvfox1200]

I cannot tell you what to buy or not to buy. It is really a preference. I make all my own picks and tension tools. I have both standard and slimline pick.

But if you are in this for a long time. I would recommend you buy the best you can afford and then add to it as you can.

Even a lot of the picks you buy will probably need a little work to fit your needs. Maybe some thinning for certain locks and you will find you will also need different tension tools.

Just make sure the tools you buy will work for you. Don't buy a lot of extra you will not use. I usually use only a couple hook picks, diamond picks and a couple of rakes. I do 99% of my picking with the hook picks. I SPP most all locks. If you buy a 30 piece set, you will probably never use 90% of the picks,

Thanks

[Mikeh727]

Hey guys, sorry if this is in the wrong spot, it's my first post. I'm planning on buying my first tools from Southord , but I have a few questions that I haven't been able to find answers for.

Hey Kyubey. Welcome! I'll throw my two cents worth in.

1) Long vs short tension tools? Twisted vs standard? What's the mechanical difference and Is one better than the other?

Tension tools are important, but it comes down to personal preference. The first ones I had were standard and worked fine. I've since acquired and made some twisted ones that I like a little better, but that's personal preference. I think the twisted ones give me a little better feel but I didn't have enough experience to know the difference when I was first starting out.

2) I know what type of picks I should get, but what quality should I get? Should I just get the cheaper ones, or the nicer ones with metal handles? Does one provide more feedback than the other? Is one more comfortable than the other? If I get the cheap ones, should I put the PVC grips on them?

The best you can afford, but you really only need a couple. A half-diamond and medium hook and perhaps a bogota rake or two. I have some with handles and some without. I like the ones with handles, and some people do put PVC on them. It's mainly a comfort issue.

3) Standard or slimline picks? I live in the US, so will it matter for me? Does one give better feedback than the other? Is one more durable than the other?

Standard would be fine starting out.

I want to learn to single pin pick tumbler locks well, and not just scrape/jiggle them open, so I'm trying to buy tools that have good feedback and will be comfortable to use when picking for more than a few minutes.

See all of the above and what others have posted and you should be fine!

-Mike

[critmass235]

go buy a cheap wiper blade and make all the different t tools. its quicker (no shipping) cheaper and easier that way. twisted takes some of the feedback away back its gives a little more control over how much pressure you use. your first few locks the picks don't matter as much ( if you get the right beginner locks). you will need a few different sizes of t tools (if you plan on more than one brand of lock) because a smaller width will slip a lot in a larger keyhole, but a lot of padlocks need a smaller t tool so you have room to move in it.

as for picks slimline are a little more springy so that takes a small amount of the feedback(when you're used to it its not as noticeable) starting with ssp is great but a lot of people start with raking because it lets you focus more on the tension. but it gets addictive and you have to make your self put it down and grab a hook or diamond

[docjon]

Gonna through my two cents in here. It takes time and unfortunately money to find out what tools you will end up with. You certainly don't have to go buy every tool out there at this point. You wouldn't have the expertise to evaluate the tools anyway. I think the advise given earlier about buying good tools is absolutely correct. But stick with just a few items at this point a couple of different picks , the same with tension wrenches and if you want to learn to rake then a couple of those. As time goes by you will buy others. You will find out that you start to gravitate to specific tools that you will use almost all the time. Good luck and stick with it. Docjon