Specialized pick

[Hooty]

Do any of you know if there are certain picks that give more feedback than others? I have been through chemo and radiation therapy and it has hampered my touch sensitivity. I can still feel things but according to some testing that was done, I have about 70% of the sensitivity I had before hand. I'm guessing this has something to do with my picking ability because I am having trouble telling when picks are set or not. Any tools or tips would be greatly appreciated.

[cracksman]

After reading about your situation, I put some medical tape on my finger, already have my thumb wrapped from a cut I was suprised that it didn't seem to affect my ability at all. I would be interested to hear what more experienced pickers thoughts are on the subject of touch. As for picks that provide the best feedback, I like the Peterson's with the blue plastic handle. I have to say Falle Safe are good as well but take longer to get used to. In the end it really comes down to personal preference. Let us know what you decide and how they work for you.

[Mad Mick]

Sorry to hear that you had to have chemo, hope you're past that now. The only advice I can try to give regarding regaining your sense of feel, is to make a concerted effort to feel everyday objects, which you normally take for granted. When opening drawers to take out clothes, try to feel the resistance of the drawer sliders. When picking up objects (any object) try to pick them up with the least amount of grip required to prevent them from slipping. Feel the texture of coins in your pocket...try to feel bank notes etc. The more practice you have at feeling things, the more likely it will be that your sub-concious will take over.

Picking is repetitious, in that you are performing similar operations again and again. Once your brain learns the process, the sub-concious takes over. Try using the pick (any pick, but preferrably a hook or half-diamond), without a wrench, and simply insert it fully into the back of the lock. Apply slight pressure upwards and slowly withdraw the pick, allowing it to follow the bottom of the key (lower) pins, without lifting them. Count the pins, then verify the count by flipping the pick over, inserting to the back of the keyway again, then lift up firmly and withdraw...count the clicks.

Next, insert the pick again and apply a little tension with the wrench. Repeat the withdrawing of the pick, but instead of letting the pick follow the pins, try to maintain an even pull. A pin which makes the pick drop downwards is a binding pin. Try to feel the difference between free & bound pins. The pin which is most-bound is usually the pin which must be set first. Keep the same tension and push up the bound pin. Once the bound pin reaches the shear line, the plug will rotate slightly, giving feedback on the wrench. Release tension on the wrench and repeat the process.

You are training your muscle memory to react to very subtle movements. I don't know how much chemo affects this, but I wish you the very best in your recovery, and every success with picking.

[raimundo]

feel seems to be very affected by the types of handles on the pick, but I think that feel can be completely negated by a handle that has a sort of torsion wrench indicator or other sensitive spring that will jump and tell you when some fish hits the bait.

[Santos718]

feel seems to be very affected by the types of handles on the pick, but I think that feel can be completely negated by a handle that has a sort of torsion wrench indicator or other sensitive spring that will jump and tell you when some fish hits the bait.

another creation in mind rai?

[serrurier]

I don't know if this help but I also use a lot of my hearing when I pick, of course if its noisy that does not help much but at times it helps me a lot. Hope this help

take care

[cracksman]

I saw a study in which people were blindfolded for a week, there sense of touch was constantly tested and improved dramatically. It may be the simple act of lockpicking will actually improve your touch to a greater sensitivity then before your chemo. It's a great excuse to get into the hobby-call it rehab

[wsbpress]

I have used Peterson, SouthOrd, and Lab picks. The Lab picks seem to give me the most feedback. I think this is because they dont have an additional grip (bare metal) and the hooks are smaller so they may have less surface area in contact with the pin. The Lab picks also get into some small keyways that the SouthOrds and Petersons are a little too big for.
By the way I am a Leukemia survivor, and there were many wierd side effects from the chemo that eventually went away after time. Just keep picking and your body might get the hint that you want your full sense of touch back.

[Hooty]

I also had leukemia. What kind did you have? I had ALL T-cel. Additional side effects were to crushed (literally) vertibre from the steroids they gave me to keep my heart working (not to mention they made me feel like I was goin through puberty again).

[Santos718]

I also had leukemia. What kind did you have? I had ALL T-cel. Additional side effects were to crushed (literally) vertibre from the steroids they gave me to keep my heart working (not to mention they made me feel like I was goin through puberty again).

You had, correct. If so, Thats great that your fine now. Glad to hear that you are recovering from a series of unfortunate events.

[wsbpress]

I also had leukemia. What kind did you have?

AML and a stem cell transplant.

[DrStu]

I saw a study in which people were blindfolded for a week, there sense of touch was constantly tested and improved dramatically.

Thats cool, sometimes I close my eyes when I am picking a lock because it helps me to "see what I am feeling inside the lock". Or maybe im just crazy?

[Shrub]

Thats what i do on the door sometimes.

[Mad Mick]

I saw a study in which people were blindfolded for a week, there sense of touch was constantly tested and improved dramatically.

Thats cool, sometimes I close my eyes when I am picking a lock because it helps me to "see what I am feeling inside the lock". Or maybe im just crazy?

Not at all.
When I first started, some nights I'd just lay on the bed with the lights off and pick a few locks. As the blindfold study shows, if one sense is taken away, the others start to compensate.

[Chrispy]

As the blindfold study shows, if one sense is taken away, the others start to compensate.

So, so true.