Comfortable Pick set

[icor1031]

I have a cheap pick set with small, thin handles - but I have carpal tunnel, and it's quite irritating.

Is there a more comfortable set?

Thanks!

[Silverado]

I have carpal tunnel disorders as well. Not much you can do if you still want to feel lock feedback. Hand stretches and strength exercise is he best I can tell you bud. It's helped me a lot, when most times I feel like my hands are built of rusted metal.

[icor1031]

I have carpal tunnel disorders as well. Not much you can do if you still want to feel lock feedback. Hand stretches and strength exercise is he best I can tell you bud. It's helped me a lot, when most times I feel like my hands are built of rusted metal.

The ones with rounded handles are no go?...

[icor1031]

No edit button?....

Or larger handles, like these: http://www.lockpicks.com/just-picks-sta ... ender.html

[Squelchtone]

No edit button?....

Or larger handles, like these: http://www.lockpicks.com/just-picks-sta ... ender.html

No edit button because past immature trolls would say nasty things then come back and edit out their posts and say "wasnt me, I didnt say that stuff to the other members" so some wise admins before me turned Editing off.

What exact pick set do you have right now and how small exactly are your handles? Theres a lot of junk floating around Amazon lately, I would like to make sure you didnt start the hobby off on the wrong foot.

The Just Picks made by Peterson are very nice, the handles are dipped but they are not spongy like foam in case you are looking for something soft like foam. HPC makes some foam slip on pieces that fit well over HPC and Southord popsicle handles made of single stamped sheet of steel or 3 piece sandwich riveted pick handles. I think lockpicks.com has those foam handles for sale as a 5 or 10 pack and having used them myself they're a dream.

I have a thread here somewhere with all my pick sets, or at least comparing half diamonds, you get to visually see how big the foam handle is. Here is that foam handle at the top of the pic:


KLOM makes a set of automotive picks that also include some rakes and hook picks and have very soft green jelly silicone handles that are squarish and surprisingly comfortable but the actual picks are limited in the shapes I personally use for picking pin tumbler locks.

Peterson rubber handles are big as well.but the new rubber is hard like s car tire. Great picks though if you dont mind spending more.

Hope this helps, and show us what you have now so we can make some more suggestions and comparisons.
Squelchtone

[icor1031]

[Squelchtone]

Oh god is that the KGB credit card set?

Yeah those arent normal picks, they're a gimmick for emergencies. Handles are wayy too short for comfortable use.

Look into a set by Southord for $20-$30 bucks

[icor1031]

Yeah, it's a silly credit card set. It was on sale, I bought it years ago... It's nice that it fits in my wallet, but I'd like a better set.

I'd like to learn to pick typical interior house door locks, and typical auto locks. I saw those sites offer mini locks, I think one was partially see through? Are those good options / are there cheaper and just-as-good alternatives? (I haven't looked yet whether they have an auto style one.)

Is southord the most comfortable decently-priced one you'd suggest?

Thanks.

[tpark]

Here's a picture of some picks - top is home made, then Sparrows, HPC, Peterson, and Southord.

If you buy kits, here's a picture of typical cases
The cases are Southord (in this case, southord max), Peterson, HPC, and sparrows.
No. 3 Master lock is for size comparison.


The Southord picks are decent, just don't lean too hard on them.

[icor1031]

tpark, of yours the sparrow and peterson look most comfortable.
What do you say?

[icor1031]

This one looks nice, comes with slide-on grips. Thoughts?

http://www.southord.com/Lock-Pick-Tools ... XS-14.html

[Silverado]

Ouch! I didn't realize the only set you had was the credit card pick set. No wonder you're looking for something more comfortable on the hands.
I was under the impression you had full size picks (with or without handles of some sort).

I have the Southord PXS-14 set. The handles are nice, I like the slip on grips and they do add a level of comfort compared to the bare metal. For me though, the handles do absorb a lot of the feedback in comparison to using them naked. On the other hand, I rarely take the handle covers off unless I have something that's giving me a real hard time and I need to feel the slightest of movements.

At any rate, definitely check out the search function and sift through the tons of threads and reviews on all different types of picks. You'll see the recommendation in those threads to buy individual picks from each manufacturer to test them out and find out which type suits you best. I did not do that, and resorted to just buying "kits" from different manufacturers, and am now more interested in buying individuals instead of kits with picks I've learned I will not use all too often.

[tpark]

My personal preference is for the Peterson handles, although the Southord Max handles are nice too. The Southord Max picks are a bit too thick for some tight keyways, but for many locks they work OK. Pick 1 is 31 thou thick. Southord Pick 2 is 25 thou - it's got a welded metal handle on it, overall a great tool. Pick 3 is a 15 thou Peterson Reach - this has a plastic handle, but still has a good feel to it. The metal doesn't go all the way to the bottom of the plastic area. This pick is quite flexible, and is really for use in very tight/paracentric keyways. Pick 4 is a 15 thou Peterson Gem. This has a plastic handle, and is good for a lot of locks. Pick 5 is a rubber handled 25 thou Peterson Gem - it's too thick for some keyways, but it's sturdy, and for keyways that aren't tight it's great. The metal goes all the way through the handle too.. Pick 6 and 7 are 25 thou picks from the Sparrows Vorax kit. I haven't really used the Sparrows picks much, but they work fine. Pick 8 is 25 thou, from the Vorax kit, and works for raking - it's a weird thing, and I've never used it until today. Looks cool though. Pick 9 is a 20 thou homemade pick. Made of feeler gauge, it's good for general picking.



So there you have it. The PXS-14 kit looks pretty good - I think it would be a good kit to start with.

[Squelchtone]

This is a good thread, I like this thread. =)

I managed to find a pick of the big soft silicone KLOM handles, look how big it is compared to the others



from the top
1. Klom Navigator #7
2. Lockmasters (made by H&H or Klom I think)
3. HPC 2000
4. HPC
5. Majestic
6. Peterson "Just Picks" dipped handle
7. Peterson blue plastic handle

nice selection you got there tpark!
Squelchtone

[icor1031]

Thanks for the advice, gentlemen!