A newbie's first lock pick

[spyder8]

Hi everyone. I am new to lockpicking, but before everone starts yelling at me i would like to say i have read the MIT guide and used the search button but cant find what i want. I have a kwickset lock that i have disassembled and it only has one pin in it. I have also tried to make some picks out of galvanized sheet metal but they dont work very well. I also dont have much money to spend on picks. What picks (brand and model#) would you suggest? I also have another question, what do you think works better the half diamond or the hook?

[Jarod]

its good to see new members that have done their research, as for the picks, i have no preference whatsoever, i have never purchased a lockpick before, but i can suggest windshield wiper spine for making your own, brick strap dosn't work very well, but maybe someone else could give you a good brand to look for. sorry i could tell you what picks to buy.

[Cman22]

Welcome to the forums. First off, you'd probably want to buy a pick set if you're new. It is much easier to learn pick shapes and use before you start making them. Also id get a Kwikset that has more than one pin. Whats the point of picking a one pinned lock? About the hook vs. diamond, i prefer the short hook. It is easier to push pins up with it. The pick set i learned on is the southord mpxs 11. It is an ok set, but if you get a southord i'd get the mpxs 14. I have also heard that peterson picks are very good.

http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... &ProdID=24

http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=354


Cman

[Exodus5000]

^^ Hey, I didn't know lockpicks.com sold peterson picks. Thats good to know if I ever need to order some again.

[iworathong]

i have a mpx20 that i bought a while agao. it was on sale and i paid forty bucks on it so if ur strapped for cash go with the fourteen piece. i have had marvalous success with the mpx20 and prefer single picking with the short hook. i generally use the half daimond for raking but have singled some locking with it but it was a bit more confusing then the hook.

[spyder8]

just an other question for iworathong, do you really use all 20 picks and other stuff in the mpx20?

[poisoned]

I dont think anyone uses all the picks that come in that mpx20 set.. Some people prefer diamond picks and other use hooks.. U just have to try them so that u will find the model&manufacturer that suits for u.. I prefer hook picks and I have mixed a set that consists of Southord, Peterson and HPC picks:

1 SO short hook
1 HPC DeForest hook
1 HPC Deep hook
1 Peterson rake (the one that looks like a saw)
1 Peterson medium hook
1 Peterson weirdo hook-looking thingie

and about 5-7 tension wrenches...

I ordered the Navigator set so I will most likely add some new picks to my set when they arrive

[skold]

1 Peterson rake (the one that looks like a saw)

Peterson Ripple

1 Peterson weirdo hook-looking thingie

lol, Peterson Reach

[coolman]

i like them both

[spyder8]

what do you guys think of buying a bunch of single picks instead of a set?
what would you suggest?

[Eagle]

I think buying a bunch of single picks over a set is better, in my opinion, because you can control what you get. For example, if you will never need a broken key extractor or ball pick, then it is a waste of money to get it.