Best bang for the buck

[drmix3]

I am new to lock picking and wanted to know what set I should get so I can get started. I am looking at the 14 piece but I dont know. I want to open most locks.

[Picker_Level-0]

I got the mpxs20 set and they are mint plus i like the little carry case they come in!!!! its cool!!! To be fair tho i heard that the 14 metal handle set where really good. So i dunno, i have a 20 set like i say and i only use few picks, but then again im only a noob so i aint come across many really wierd locks!!!! Up 2 you but dont go and waste your money on a 64piece or some other massive set!!! theres no need!!!!

Verjeal or other Mods - i think this would be a good sticky or even a hole new forum, - exact feedback on picks..... You should list all the most common pick sets and then you can click on them and get peoples reviews if there are any. Any unusual picks can be added as they are come across!!!!
This would be invalubule!!!!

[Picker_Level-0]

When the question arises as to where to purchase them see the sticky at the top of the forum!

[salzi684]

The 14 piece set with metal handles would be a great set to get, it has all the necessary tools and no repeats. Just a word to the wise, be sure to get the set with metal handles; the picks without them, in my opinion, are very uncomfortable.

http://www.lockpicks.com/product.asp?0=204&1=217&3=24

[Picker_Level-0]

Yea, thats why i said the handled set, cuz my 20 set has a split half have handles and half dont and the handled ones are much more comfortable!!

[linc]

Just a note on this, is it better to get grip sleeves with the metal handles already? Or are the metal handles comfortable enough to work with? If grip sleeves help, what kind of grip sleeve is the best? The plastic, vinyl or the rubber ones?

[The Key Maker]

I have had no experience with the sleaves but i have heard they take out the sensation or feel from your picking so i know many people have not recomended them!

Like i say that just what ive heard!!!!!!!!!!

[Varjeal]

To start with, you'll want to be able to have as much sensation as possible coming through the tool as possible. That said, you'll either want a set with riveted handles, or one piece picks with thicker and rounded handles for comfort.

I have picks by Rytan that have rubber-type handles that are extremely comfortable, some HPC's that have injection molded plastic handles which are quite comfortable, (and will continue to be as until the plastic loosens up) and some HPC that have riveted handles which I've had for 5 years now that haven't come loose and they're quite comfortable as well.

As long as it's a well made pick either plastic or riveted handles should do you just fine.

[linc]

Thanks Varjeal!

[Chucklz]

I own both a SouthOrd set, with the vinyl sleeves, and a Petersen set with both plastic and rubber handles. With the SouthOrd set, especiallly for hooks, a metal handle is a must. The vinyl handles are simply worthless for everything but the key etractor. But, the Petersen handles are simply marvelous. The Plastic handles offer slightly more "feel" than the rubber, but if you know what your looking for, there really is no difference in picking. I wouldn't recomment getting the Petersen set for a while though, far better to spend a little on a cheap set, which will be abused through inexperience then to spend alot on a set of picks your may possibly break. I cannot speak highly enough of the Petersen tension wrenches. They come as a simple strip of a simply amazing spring steel which you bend yourself with their little tool. They are pretty wide strips, but you can always grind them down. Once you know exactly what you want and need in a tension wrench there is no better.