What is the PRECISE difference between Slimline and US pick

[Stinger]

I live in EU and ordered a slimline set as my first set - and they fit the locks here - but actually I find them to be a LITTLE bit too small and fragile sometimes. So I wanted to buy a normal US pickset (the PXS 17) just to have both kind of sizes.. But just before I buy this one; can anybody tell me how wide the "normal" US (southord) picks are compared to the slimeline ones? Just so that I won't end up with something that fits in NO eu lock at all. Thanks -

[Stinger]

Like - are they twice as thick or more/less? A precise messurement would be nice - but if someone could confirm that they are more or less than twice that thick that would also help a lot, since more than twice the thickness will be too much. Thanks

[raimundo]

Wired magazine, available in the US has an article on the Dutch TOOOL Championships at Sneek, and on page 74 there is a picture of a large set of tools, the ones in the middle left pocket appeart to be actual size, on the far right, there are some slimline ones and I am wondering if these are near the normal size? The whole picture seems to be at very nearly the true size. Can anyone put their pics on these and tell me if I'm right?

[The Wanderer]

I took out my old Mitutoyo vernier calipers for the first time in a while today to give my picks a quick measurement for you. It measures in 1000ths of an inch.

I own the Southord MPXS-14 and the Southord 22 piece Slimline set. The actual thickness appears to be the same at .021.
I then measured the profiles of the two at the hilt of the pick blade. This is where you see the real differences. On the small diamond pick for example, the US blade at its thickest is .143. The slimline is only .096. The measurement from where the diamond forms is .069 on the US and only.049 on the Slimline. It's a bit of an optical illusion but the actual height of the both diamonds is .096.
As you can see the height of the blade and not the thickness is where the Slimline moniker comes from.
The Slimlines have held up very nicely for me. I actually broke a C-rake from the MPXS set from some over zealous raking. This was my fault entirely. I must have been twisting the rake in my attempt to open my first lock.
I seldom use the MPXS-14 set anymore. I reach for the Slimlines almost every time now. If you don't "horse" them too much they should be fine. European keyways are from what I've read here are quite narrow. Why not try buying a few single U.S, type picks along with a Slimline set? You'd get a chance to use U.S. style picks without spending a lot of cash. Small diamond and a short hook are my personal favourites. Then get a small Slimline set. I don't use most of the picks in the 22 piece set. I like having all those different tension wrenchs though.
Ok, I'm starting to ramble, so I'll stop now. Hope this was helpful. Ciao.

[The Wanderer]

Here a picture of two small diamonds. Obviously the bottom pick is the U.S. pick.
Gadzooks!! Look at the bend in the bottom pick!! You'd think I'd been opening beer bottles with it!! I got to work on my technique.

"Less is more.....Less is "more....."

[raimundo]

yer opening the beer bottles the wrong way, the pick should be bent on the opposite curve, toward the pins, your supposed to use the back of the pick to open the bottle.

[The Wanderer]

DOH!!

[Stinger]

Wow! Thanks a lot for the great help!

Actually the difference is much smaller than I expected - Those will fit perfectly into most EU locks I've seen. So I might buy a US set just to have a wider selection of picks ( I now only have 5 slim ones, and could use some more solid ones and that brass handle in the PXS-17 )

Thanks again..

[Eschatos]

My first set purchased was a set of US picks, I used them and learned how to pick about 20 different locks with them. Recently, I bought a larger SouthOrd set of Euro slimline picks, and I cannot stress how much more I love these tools, even when using them strictly on US locks.

I found that they force you to be gentle and to learn correctly, and thats the important thing. It takes a little longer for me to open a lock, because I can't use my regular picks to rake, but I love that. It's much easier to learn pin by pin picking using slimline picks, and I reccommend them greatly.

[Eschatos]

Also, Stinger, that brass handle in the PXS-17 is absolutely useless. You will crack many a pick open inside that thing. Its like trying to pick locks with broken fingers or with gloves on. I took it out of the case and included a set of warded picks in the case instead =)

I love customizing my own set. I can open anything with the picks I have right now =) (exaggeration)

[Stinger]

Thanks for the feedback - and yes I have made up my mind and will be buying a larger set of slimline picks - The 32 pc looks good and I think I will be ordering that soon.
I just wish that southord would answer my email - I asked about how they lable/mark their shipments - because of the heavy costumes/duty here in EU I will need a USA company that always mark their shipments "gift" and with a low value (15 or below I think) - But since I cannot be sure about if they mark it right or my way, I guess I will just buy from an EU online shop. Thats okay though.

[Stinger]

Well - not the 32 pc set (there isn't one) the 22 pc slimline.

[toomush2drink]

i ended up paying import taxes on a southord order wiping out any deals on the exchange rate. You could try multipick for southord stuff or devonlocks if your in the uk.

[Stinger]

Yeah - I think I will stick to Devon locks, since they are WAY cheaper than multipick - I don't live in Uk, but they deliver anyway. thanks