most useful picks

[robert233c]

I need to know what the most useful picks are

[Squelchtone]

Please search, this is a very common question. Please note that picking requires skill and experience, there isnt some all powerful pick that will magically open locks just when you stick it in a lock. My most useful picks are the short hook, half diamond, and snake rake.

Squelchtone

[Zed Ex]

There is no single answer.
Even with two some model locks you may have to use different picks to open. Sometimes a short hook is not enough because you have a low pin at the front and you have to reach behind it, so a longer hook must be used.
Really good lock pickers seams to be able to pick a lock with a brick, and it is true to a point, if you know where to place the pick the shape of the pick is not that important.
Some rakes look to be almost magic but even so it takes practice to learn how to use them, I know that I have been having more success with an octo rake but everyone says that the bogotá is better.

[dontlook]

The most useful picks are the ones that work best for you.

That answer is partially sarcastic, but it doesn't matter what we think are useful if you don't have success opening locks with them. Different folks have a different favorite/most useful pick.

[TorontoGuy]

As a beginner who has only been at this for about a month or so, I find that the pick that was 'useful' to me changed as I improved my skills. Initially, rakes were most useful because I could actually achieve some success and open my first simple padlocks. But, I realize that I was really blundering into opening the lock...simple dumb luck most of the time; no consistency or control. The locks opened but I couldn't tell you what I did to make that happen and, more often than not, the lock I raked yesterday refused to cooperate today.
As I have come to appreciate that there is a real skill and finesse to lockpicking that does allow consistency and control. For that reason, hooks are becoming more and more important to me and, as I get better using them, they will become the more and more úseful' to me.
It is like another skill, playing music. A 'master' of the harmonica can make much more agreeable music than a beginner at the grand piano. The piano requires many years of study and practice to master it, but, when it is 'mastered' it is much more flexible and capable an instrument than the simple harmonica.

TG

[billdeserthills]

Diamond and hook for standard pin tumbler locks

[jimu57]

Basically, the ones that work for you. I tried a ton of picks and mainly use 3 or 4 for 90 % of picking.

[Silverado]

All the previous comments are on the same page with the best picks being the ones that work best for you. Everyone is different, and you've just got to familiarize yourself with the tools to find out what does the job you want it to do. I've had lots of luck with the octo rake on some locks, bogotas on others, and short hooks on others. For me it all depends on the lock I'm working on.

Although, I still haven't had any luck with the snake rake for some reason. I attribute it to the locks I have tried it on though...it just wasn't the tool for the job...

[Shackle Jackal]

All the previous comments are on the same page with the best picks being the ones that work best for you. Everyone is different, and you've just got to familiarize yourself with the tools to find out what does the job you want it to do. I've had lots of luck with the octo rake on some locks, bogotas on others, and short hooks on others. For me it all depends on the lock I'm working on.

Although, I still haven't had any luck with the snake rake for some reason. I attribute it to the locks I have tried it on though...it just wasn't the tool for the job...

Just curious what brand of snake you are using ? I love the snake and at first it was the pick that I felt gave me the most chance of success when raking. I used it so much initially that at one point I felt it best to hide my snakes so that I would use other picks.

[Silverado]

I've got 3 snakes. One from my Southord PXS-14 set, one from my Sparrows Bomba Royale set, and the third in an H&H jack knife set. It's most likely that I'm not applying the snake correctly and I realize that. I may be too heavy-handed with it, but I'm not sure. Other picks are definitely working better for me though.
Interestingly enough, the octo-rake in the Sparrows set does a lot more in my hands than the normal snake. (since the octo appears to be a "modified snake")

Then we get into the fact that because I've not had much luck with standard snake rakes, I tend to not try to use them as often and I definitely should give them more attention.

[Shackle Jackal]

I've got 3 snakes. One from my Southord PXS-14 set, one from my Sparrows Bomba Royale set, and the third in an H&H jack knife set. It's most likely that I'm not applying the snake correctly and I realize that. I may be too heavy-handed with it, but I'm not sure. Other picks are definitely working better for me though.
Interestingly enough, the octo-rake in the Sparrows set does a lot more in my hands than the normal snake. (since the octo appears to be a "modified snake")

Then we get into the fact that because I've not had much luck with standard snake rakes, I tend to not try to use them as often and I definitely should give them more attention.

That so funny I am the opposite ! I love the s-rake include in the PX-14 kit, I do also have the octorake and have used it with some success but I find it slightly large and cumbersome. I have been thinking about experimenting with the octo in more of a slimline profile. To each his own I suppose...

[-Random-]

Please search, this is a very common question. Please note that picking requires skill and experience, there isnt some all powerful pick that will magically open locks just when you stick it in a lock. My most useful picks are the short hook, half diamond, and snake rake.

Squelchtone

Interesting that you recommend the snake rake, I have heard some people use these with great success with Best locks. Much agreed on the short hook i buy them 10 at a time along with the offset hybrid that ive become attached too.

[kwoswalt99-]

I pretty much just use hooks for everything.

[s0u1h4ck3r]

Short hook and bogota are the picks i use most of the time.