FFS people, I've only been away from the site for a few months, and this is what I come back to?? After reading this thread and the one about Raimundo's excellent picks (which I also have and can't praise them highly enough...so I won't) I've started to develop a tension headache!
Or maybe it's a torsion headache...
No, wait...perhaps it's a turning headache...
C'mon, we all know what tool is being referred to here. The same is true for the naming convention applied to picks...
Quotes have previously been bandied around, so I'll use another one:
If it isn't broke, don't try to fix it!
The Egyptian Pyramids have been around for thousands of years and have been named as such for (probably) the same length of time. If you use the word 'pyramid', people who have seen a pyramid in it's form know what you are talking about. So, let's look at an octahedron...this is basically two square-based pyramids joined together, with the lower one being inverted. Do we now change the name of the Egyptian Pyramids to 'semi-octahedrons,' just to be
technically correct, because that is what they resemble? A pyramid can also have a triangular base with three sides and still be considered a pyramid. But, the generally accepted name for these ancient forms is 'pyramid'. Ask anyone to draw a pyramid and the result will be square-based in almost 100% of responses.
As an example, a half-diamond is what the name implies and what the product resembles. This is an accepted description of the tool.
Depending on the country of origin and using someone with an interest in picking,
Ask someone to draw a tension wrench.
Ask someone to draw a tensioner.
Ask someone to draw a torque wrench.
Ask someone to draw a turning tool.
Ask someone to draw a torsion wrench.
Ask someone to draw a torque bar...
and the result will usually be the same. Whether the name is different in other geographical regions, or the same, the end result will be a picture of a tool which applies a force (and I don't give a smelly brown deposit what kind of force you may wish to rename it to) to the lock plug, to facilitate a succesfull opening of the lock, when used in conjuction with a tool used to manipulate the pins without the presence of the working key.
There's too much emphasis placed around
correct (read: 'established', versus 'modern') terminology these days.
The common goal of this forum is to teach the new, or not so new, user how to effectively pick a certain type of lock...in the most productive time period available. This requires an active period of practice upon a particular lock, with the industry-recognised tools, or improvised tools closely approximating the previously mentioned tools...or even better (as in the case of Raimundo, new purpose-made tools which can easily defeat spool/serrated pins). The terminology is inconsequential here...it's the pursuit of the successful 'pop' when the lock is opened that is the ultimate goal.
I think that, for some, the passion of this sport/profession is slightly muddied by a need to be 'technically-correct' Perhaps it's not really a 'pop' when the lock opens, more of a series of mechanical noises!!
I wish to offend no-one in the above post, I just think that some have lost the real focus of what this site is about.
If it ain't broke.....pull it down and see how it works anyway!
