What To Buy. Picks Sets For Beginners.

[Doobner]

Thanks for the advice! Does look like a nice way to go. Are you familiar with that cutaway lock that’s offered with the kit? Still tempted to grab a see through lock- just for a first attempt. I will have to check out their website more thoroughly for that stuff.

Also looking at South Ord’s website. Really I will be looking at pretty much every shop I learn about...

Have a good one! At least as good as possible right now!

[Doobner]

Thanks for the advice! Does look like a nice way to go. Are you familiar with that cutaway lock that’s offered with the kit? Still tempted to grab a see through lock- just for a first attempt. I will have to check out their website more thoroughly for that stuff.

Also looking at South Ord’s website. Really I will be looking at pretty much every shop I learn about...

Have a good one! At least as good as possible right now!

Hopefully I am not double or triple posting this! Still learning how this site’s software works!

[GWiens2001]

You can also get tools from http://www.thinkpeterson.com.

Don’t worry about the postal service. Have never had an issue with them. And although Peterson tools says you should be a locksmith, they are well aware that many of their customers are just hobbyists.

Gordon

[Doobner]

Thanks man! I would guess then that it’s probably about the same situation with the other places? I was just looking at Peterson’s, looks like some nice stuff there, but the sets that I noticed were pretty expensive.

Also, I am looking at one set or another at the South Ord, the 14 piece one with the dark (rubber/plastic) handles and another mid sized kit or two. But just starting to really lean towards Sparrow.

[GWiens2001]

Thanks man! I would guess then that it’s probably about the same situation with the other places? I was just looking at Peterson’s, looks like some nice stuff there, but the sets that I noticed were pretty expensive.

Also, I am looking at one set or another at the South Ord, the 14 piece one with the dark (rubber/plastic) handles and another mid sized kit or two. But just starting to really lean towards Sparrow.

They certainly make some nice picks and tools.

Gordon

[Doobner]

That’s good to know. I appreciate an experienced perspective!

[Doobner]

Assuming I wouldn’t have an issue ordering from Southord or lockpickshop, I am wondering about the fourteen piece Southord set with the “textured slide-on grips”. It sounds like some people find those kind of grips to dampen the feedback/sensitivity or however one says it. Also, I wonder how much I would get out of a book of the trade. I have been watching a lot of YouTube about the subject, and am considered if it would be worth the extra $25...

I appreciate the feedback from you folks! I expect to be set up and running pretty soon, and just need to get a solid start.

[ausGeoff]

I'm a newbie lock-picker, and I've just started with my first picks and practise lock; the 14-piece SouthOrd
set with the slip on plastic handles. Although I'm not experienced enough to comment on a lack of any
sensitivity or feedback, I haven't noticed any particular problems in this aspect.

The tools themselves are well finished straight out of the nice leather case, and don't really need any further
sanding or polishing. I dipped the plastic handles in hot water for a minute or two—without getting any water
inside them—and they slipped on easily and stayed put after they'd cooled on the pick.

My only negative with the SoutOrd set would be the poor set of tension wrenches that're in the kit, making it
necessary for me to (probably?) later on purchase a decent set, with more appropriate width/thickness insert
ends. Three of the 4 provided seem to be identical.

[GWiens2001]

Have never seen factory picks that would not benefit from a decent sanding and polishing.

As for tension wrenches, the Peterson Pry Bars in both the .040 and .050 thickness are great, but you would do well to get some thick music wire from a hardware store and make your own in thicknesses as you need them.

Personally, my primary kits have more tension wrenches/turning tools than picks. A good fit in the keyway really makes a difference.

Gordon

[ausGeoff]

The SouthOrds have been medium factory polished, and there are no sharp burrs on the edges. And thanks for the piano wire tip.

[GWiens2001]

The SouthOrds have been medium factory polished, and there are no sharp burrs on the edges. And thanks for the piano wire tip.

Glad to help. And feel free to give tips (as you did with SouthOrd picks). Just because you may be new does not mean that you have not learned anything. Too many new members are shy about giving advise, even if it is good advise.

Gordon

[Dyonzi]

Have never seen factory picks that would not benefit from a decent sanding and polishing.

As for tension wrenches, the Peterson Pry Bars in both the .040 and .050 thickness are great, but you would do well to get some thick music wire from a hardware store and make your own in thicknesses as you need them.

Personally, my primary kits have more tension wrenches/turning tools than picks. A good fit in the keyway really makes a difference.

Gordon

I would also like to greatly expand my selection of tension wrenches/turning tools. Are there any kits for sale with primarily a variety of different sized tension wrenches that u recommend?

[GWiens2001]

Have never seen factory picks that would not benefit from a decent sanding and polishing.

As for tension wrenches, the Peterson Pry Bars in both the .040 and .050 thickness are great, but you would do well to get some thick music wire from a hardware store and make your own in thicknesses as you need them.

Personally, my primary kits have more tension wrenches/turning tools than picks. A good fit in the keyway really makes a difference.

Gordon

I would also like to greatly expand my selection of tension wrenches/turning tools. Are there any kits for sale with primarily a variety of different sized tension wrenches that u recommend?

There are a few, but 95% of my turning tools are handmade by me as I need one of a different size.

Gordon

[Squelchtone]

I have just been looking for a first lock pick set and have had a look at this list that has come up recently.

I just wanted to know if the ones on here are actually good for beginners or not and if so what one should I get? I have seen the sparrows kick start mentioned a few times here and was thinking of getting that one.

[url]https://lock[EDIT: Snip! self promotion without admin approval is not allowed][/url]

I know this is an old post so sorry for continuing it but thought it was better to post here than start a new thread.

[BlueLock]

I think the answer depends a bit on your budget. My first set was the Southord MPXS-20, and it has been very good for me for over 20 years. I am a sucker for a their leather zippered case. The pick quality is good and it has a good variety of styles to give you an idea of what works well for you. A less than half of the picks have a nice thick laminated/riveted handle. The balance do not, and I personally find them too thin for my hands to be comfortable Putting a handle on them would be good, but I haven't bothered. However, as others have mentioned, the turning tools are not awesome. If you get this kit, plan on adding turning tools to it. They'll fit in the case

Over the years, I have added to my kit with several more turning tools, both BOK and TOK, replacement picks that I've worn out or damaged in an unfriendly lock. I have bought several from my primary hardware distributor, throwing in a couple turning tools or random picks with some of my orders to combine shipping. Not a fan of Hudson picks. The laminated handles are nice, but the pick tend to bend far too easily as compared to the Southord. Recently, I've been getting a few of the the Rytan picks that have larger overmolded handles similar to the Peterson in your link.

My TOK tools are from Sparrows, and I really like them. Based on the quality of everything I've purchased from Sparrows, I have no doubt that their sets are high quality, and you get 6 turning tools in that starter kit. If you can afford it, you might look at their Tuxedo kit instead because it will give you a few more pick styles to try. Then again, the kick start has a bundle option with a metal cutaway lock that will help you see what's going on while picking. I was really tempted to get their metal cutaway lock for a long time, but ended up milling down a few of my KNL cylinders with varying keyways instead

I guess this ended up being a really long-winded post, but I think you'll do well buying the Sparrows kit.