Should I start Bare Bones or just spend some money?

[Sidkik23]

Hello! I get that lockpicking takes both practice and time, as does any considerably interesting hobby. However I was mostly just wanting to know whether or not I should begin using the bare minimum (the whole paper clips and Bobby pins type deal) or use the lockpick set that I have purchased. I'm planning on simply using the lockpick set, not only because it seems irrational to do otherwise, however I wanted to hear from some other people who have perhaps thought that maybe using the worst will make you better as you move to the better. Thanks in advance to all of those who reply!
- Sidkik23

[Squelchtone]

stay away from paperclips and bobby pins it's the wrong way to learn and you'll only get frustrated when the cheap improvised tools break or don't work at all. If you can spend $30 bucks on a pick set you'll be much happier.

[LocksportSouth]

Agreed. It's important to always use the right tool for the job - whether that's a tool that you buy or make yourself, but even using the wrong pick can be a frustrating experience so I can't imagine that messing around with paperclips will be much fun, especially when you're new - that's the kind of thing you want to do as a challenge to yourself when you have a bit more experience under the belt. Splash out a little cash on a pick set and you'll be well rewarded .

[cj101]

I started with paper clips and bobby pins. You will be able to open some trashy mail wafer locks and 1 € padlocks and a few locks like Gera standard 5 pin (8 €) and Abus Buffo (5 €). Better locks might be opened with luck.

The paper clips bends to much and makes it physically impossible to reach pins at the back of the lock. With the wrong pinning, paper cljps cant work.

All better locks need a proper pick. If you do not want to spend much money get at least a 10 € chinese pickset.

I dont believe 30-50 € a too big issue if you are really interested.

[Sidkik23]

Thanks! I bought a good set of hooks and a torque wrench from Sparrows website . I collected a general opinion from some of my friends (they're the reason I'm now interested in the hobby) and decided to go with those. Its good that I won't waste a week with a paperclip. Thanks!
-Sidkik23