Abus Diskus to pick...

[Chucklz]

I would recommend making your own tension tools out of windscreen (windshield in US english) wiper inserts. Just go to your local garage or autostore and ask if they have any old wipers you could have. Many times there are trash bins full of them in the parking lot, as many customers change them right there. Peel away the rubber and you will find one or two long strips of stainless steel. When cut to a manageable size, these make wonderful tension tools. If you find them a bit too large, simply file them until they are to your liking. The slimline set is quite good, but I have some other suggestions as well. First, may I suggest something from the Peterson "Just Picks" line. They come in a rather nice plastic tube that functions as a great case. The picks are a bit rougher than are desireable. However, some sandpaper will fix that quite nicely. Here are two sets from Peterson, for 17 and 24 $ . Both contain the same styles of picks, however the $24 set contains 4 duplicate picks with soft rubber handles. Some people love these handles, I tend to prefer the hard plastic for some picks, and the soft rubber for some other picks.
[url]http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=355
http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=354
[/url]
Now the SouthOrd picks are rather expensive individually. I find the Southord handles to be less comfortable than the Petersons. However, If I had to select two picks ($10 worth) from the Southord collection that would be most useful, I would pick a short hook, http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=363
and the "DeForest" style pick, shown here
http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=366
For the tension tools, I would make my own, but it is good to have some commercial ones at first, so that you may get an idea of the size. I would buy the Slimline and Twist wrenches.

I gave you the wrong URL for multipick, I'm sorry. Here is the correct one: http://www.multipick-service.com/

Even though you aren't near Amsterdam, I would still suggest contacting TOOOL, as they are a large club, and there probably are members near you. I'm sure they will be willing to help you. If so, perhaps you can get a ride to a meeting. From what I know of their meetings, they welcome new comers and have a variety of club tools for you to try, and they will help you pick your first lock. It is much easier to pick your first lock with someone who is knowledgeable there to assist you in the very beginning. If I remember correctly, they beginning lock they suggest is the 909 brand I beleive. Apparently this is quite an easy lock to pick, and should certainly be your first lock. If you happen to have one of these on your door, you could probably convince your parents to upgrade their security, and then you get a nice lock to practice with.

Cheers,
Chuck

[XiNoN]

Okay, thanks for your rather large reply...

I'm considering of buying a Just Picks set of $17, just to practice (and after seeing the prices at that german internetsite). Only thing is, I'm not sure if the lock on my door is the easiest one to open.

So, I should also buy those wrenches, but I can't find them...

Anyway, thanks for your help...

[XiNoN]

And, do the Just Picks function in an European lock?

I'm sorry for being such a newbie, but I'm really interested and eager to open my the first lock...

[vector40]

Oh wow... I didn't realize SO made a DeForest-style hook.

[Chucklz]

Yes the Peterson picks should function in any pin tumbler lock. Though, in some higher security locks, they keyway is very tightly warded, these often require very thin or custom picks. A big plus for a beginner is that Peterson uses very tough steel in their picks. As a beginner you will almost always use far too much pressure, even when we say to use very little tension and to gently lift pins, or to gently rake. Its very hard to convey how gentle you truly need to be. The Petersons will be able to handle your "newbie" abuse far better than the Southords or LAB picksets. One thing you should do when you get your picks is to sand them with some 80 grit sandpaper then 150, 220, and finally 400 grit paper. The picks have this kind of profile [] you want to gently round them to a profile that looks more like 0. This will really help when picking. Your picks will come "blued" that is, they will be a dark black colour. After sanding you will find them to be silver. This isnt a problem, just be aware that it will occur. Here is a link for the tension tool section


http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=229

[XiNoN]

Okay, thanks for the info...

I'm certainly going to buy the Peterson's and a (long) twist wrench and a thinline wrench, so I have 3...

I'm not really sure what you mean with the [] profile, can you explain what part has to be filed exactly?

[XiNoN]

Yes, I finally found a Dutch site with a 14 piece lockpicking set...

It is the PXS-14 and ships for €21.00 + €1,56 shipping costs when you are registered to a forum. Just registering saves you €9...

Anyone knows if this is a good set? I found it at www.eyepoppers.nl...

[Chucklz]

The PSX sets have no "additional" handle. So the picks are very thin. Many people find them uncomfortable. I couldn't get to your site, even when I fixed up your URL...

[Shrub]

If you have read the mit guide and not had a lot of joy with it try Matt Blaze's site, he has a nice paper on lockpicking, explained in his usual manner, better than mit anyday.

[XiNoN]

Sorry, here is the correct url: www.eyepopper.nl

With the picks there are 6 sleeves to put around it, for some grip and stuff... But, I think this pickset is the only solution because I can't pay via Postal Money Order and this is the only Dutch site I can find. In Holland not a lot of people have a creditcard, most of the time you pay by electronically pay with money from your bank account, which, in my opinion, is easier...

Are these picks good enough if you're just interested in lockpicking and want to pick locks as a hobby?