Metal Handles vs. Slip-on Sleeves

[Frosty555]

I'm considering buying one of these lock pick kits:

LockPickShop's $24.95 pick set with slip-on vinyl sleeves
http://www.lockpickshop.com/Merchant2/m ... ry_Code=LS

LockPickShop's $33.95 pick set with rivetless stainless steel handles
http://www.lockpickshop.com/Merchant2/m ... ry_Code=LS

I'd really, really prefer to only have to buy it once .

These two pick sets are very similar, they come with the same picks (with some subtle differences in handle design). However, the stainless steel handled ones are recommended in the LP101's FAQ. Obviously they are superior since they are more expensive, explicitely say they are more rugged, and are recommended by LP101.

These other ones are a fair bit cheaper but they do not have "stainless steel handles".

I have two questions on the matter I hope that somebody can answer:

1) Lets talk about just the pick heads themselves. Are THEY any different between the two sets? I guess what I'm saying is does the stainless steel pick set mean that the WHOLE PICK is tempered stainless steel, or just the handle?

2) Does it really matter if the handle is or isn't stainless steel? I read in another, more historical thread that the regular pick set handles are thin, and difficult to hold in the hand, but they also come with vinyl sleeves which will rectify that problem. Are the vinyl sleeves all loose and crappy or are they actually pretty good quality and make the pick feel good?

I don't REALLY want to spend the extra money on the expensive picks if it's purely a matter of preference and comfort. I want to know if the stainless steel picks are actually substantially stronger, and thus worth the seven dollars US that they charge for the enhancemen. I don't care too much about comfort (I pick currently with a bicycle spoke, ANYTHING will be more comfortable then that), I just care about durability. It'd just be sad if my picks broke after 3 months of use.

Can anyone give me some direction as to which one of these kits I should get?

[Frosty555]

(correction: 9 dollars US difference, not 7. K, thanks)

[skold]

you will find that metal handles will be the best

[salzi684]

1) The pick heads are identical, both sets are made of the same steel. The pick and handle apear to be made from the same steel, but I do not know for sure.

2) Vinyl handles=crap, 'nuf said.

There is no differance between durability of the picks, and despite what you said about not caring about comfort I would highly recomend getting the set with stainless steel handles, they are definately worth the extra money.

[Grudge]

Ditto on the metal handles. The vinyl handle covers both reduce the feel you have of the pins and take up a lot of space in the case, which means they often won't all fit. Basically the 'handle-less' pick handles are 1/3 the thickness of the handled ones and are hard on the hands (although some people differ on this topic). Almost all pickers prefer metal or hard plastic handles to accurately pass along the 'feel' of the lock. Anything else is probably going to limit you on more difficult locks.

I would get the handled variety and try to save the difference by shopping the Southord Clearance area, lockpicks.com or using the LockPickShop.com 10% discount for LP101 users.

[Frosty555]

So, to conclude, the comparisons between the metal handles and standard handles pick sets are:

- The two sets are more or less the same in terms of durability and pick composition.

- The stainless steel set's handles are much superior to the standard set. They have better feedback from the pins and are more comfortable in your hand.

- The vinyl covers for the standard set is a poor fix for their thin handles that are hard to hold and work with, and they will make it more difficult to pick because of their poor feedback.

- The standard pick set you may have difficulty fitting all the picks into the casing because of the vinyl covers

- Overall, the extra 9 dollars is worth it for the stainless steel handles

So... with that said, I'm gonna order the stainless steel metal handles set. Thanks a lot for your help guys/girls .

[pick_maker]

And for anyone else who is torn between wussie vinyl and metal handle options..... let my animated gif teach you... just let the day's troubles go and relax....