Tubular lock picks-Which to buy

[gademsky]

I am ready to invest in tubular lock picks and see a big divergence in cost. Long ago I learned that usually you get what you pay for...but I know that is not always true with tools I use here.

Can anyone tell me what their experience is with tubular picks. How many do I need, do they all operate the same? Which ones would you invest in based on your experience with tubular locks?

[Squelchtone]

In my experience and unless youre planning on being a working locksmith who needs a full assortment, the only one you'll need is a 7 pin pick, the HPC picks are really nice but the Southord one opens locks just as well. I am yet to run across an 8 or 10 pin lock in the wild, have only seen 7 pins so I have not bothered buying those picks.

This is also not a beginner question so Im moving this to Lock Picks.

Squelchtone

[ltdbjd]

I use the SouthOrd, and I've been happy with them.

[huxleypig]

The Southord's I have seen recently have much cheaper materials than they used to have. The collar is now some sort of nasty die cast/plastic.

HPC are usually good quality but I recently purchased a set of three from Alibaba. They are the 'quick reset' type, are different sizes and have a proper collar for tension (not elastic bands). The quality is good and for $30 delivered you really can't go wrong! They're insane.

[Silverado]

I'm happy with my HPC Peanut, but on the other hand I don't have experience with any other ones. So there's my wooden nickel.

I think I would like the challenge of something like a mantis tool or the one sparrows chaos tool, setting each pin individually.

Professionally, when I get to a stable or safe enough point to start my own business I'll probably go with some HPC tools.

[gademsky]

Thanks for the help so far...still open for opinions. I sent Peterson 1 penny to get notified when his new pick is ready. Also looking for a herty gerty. Soon I may post this in WTB. The herty gerty is sure expensive new for a guy that might only use it a few times a year.

[dontlook]

I like my Southern Specialties 7 - 8 pin pick works pretty well. I never change it from having on pin centered in front of the post notch though.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

In my experience and unless youre planning on being a working locksmith who needs a full assortment, the only one you'll need is a 7 pin pick, the HPC picks are really nice but the Southord one opens locks just as well. I am yet to run across an 8 or 10 pin lock in the wild, have only seen 7 pins so I have not bothered buying those picks.

This is also not a beginner question so Im moving this to Lock Picks.

Squelchtone

Heck, I've had maybe 1 or 2 tubular locks in 10 years that my 7 pin center couldn't handle. They were mini-bore. That doesn't count Kensington cables though - those were always destructive entry jobs because the key had been lost.

I may end up purchasing HPCs mini bore pick but I'm waiting to see Peterson's new PRO-1. Hopefully he has multiple tips available. It sounds like it's one of those tools you buy once and pass down. Granted, it'll be ~$375 but hey, worth it even if you only do 4-5 tubular jobs a year. And if you pick for fun, it may actually be cheaper than buying 3, 4, 5 different tubular picks.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

Thanks for the help so far...still open for opinions. I sent Peterson 1 penny to get notified when his new pick is ready. Also looking for a herty gerty. Soon I may post this in WTB. The herty gerty is sure expensive new for a guy that might only use it a few times a year.

Yeah, unlesss you're doing regular tubular work it's an investment that may take a few years to pay off. Cost of doing business I suppose.

In lieu of that, I did see a guy on eBay that would cut tubular keys by code. Might consider doing that until you can justify the cost for a Herty Getty.

[billdeserthills]

I see Herty Gerdys selling for cheap on E-bay every once in awhile