Best Manual Picks (or, help me--HPC or Navigators?)

[devildog]

I've taken note of the fact that I've bent most of my SouthOrds to some degree or another in the process of working on security pins and from what I've read here SouthOrds don't use spring steel, or if they do it's poor quality (either way they don't appear to exactly be top notch gear), so I imagine that one of these days when I rebend them for the ?th time they'll snap. I'm definately getting some Bogotas ASAP (I'm sending the money order today, Raimundo, I promise!), but from what I understand those are mainly meant to be for raking/scrubbing/jiggling, yes? I also need some good picks for when I have to go pin-by-pin. I think I asked about using the Bogotas as picks before, and someone mentioned that the diamond 'could' be used for picking individual pins but wasn't ideal.

I looked for a thread on 'what's the best pick', imaging that I would fine a plethora (did you like that--plethora? I'm rather fond of that word) of posts on the subject, but only really ran across this:

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=2792&highlight=hand+picks

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't seem to me that we've had a real 'who makes the best picks' type of post, which confounds me as that is such an obvious noob question. That's not what I'm trying to make this post into, but I am rather stuck between HPC's and the Navigators (from the above post there that I read, those appear to be the tying leaders, with Rytans coming in a close second, yes?), so I just thought I'd illicit some opinions, not so much looking for a definitive answer to 'which is best', as that's a bit of a naive type of question since the answer is really 'well, it depends', because what are the best picks for someone else are not necessarily going to be the best for you (this could be said of MANY other 'things' besides lock picks, yet people still like to ask what the 'best' is ).

What it depends on are the personal types of things that only the individual user can pinpoint, and usually not even they can do that until they've had a good bit of experience with a number of different tools. So I was just wondering what the pros and cons of each set of picks are, really? Which do you like personally, and, MORE IMPORTANTLY, why?

Oh, and I found Navigators and HPC's at the following sites:
http://www.lock-depot.com/scripts/prodview.asp?idProduct=47
http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=72
http://lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/igadget/tg-328.html
http://www.unlockables.com/pd_navigator.cfm#

I thought that all of the pick-makers besides SouthOrd were sort of anal-retentive about not letting their picks be sold to the public? What gives? Opinions on any of these sites (I know lockpicks.com always gets good reviews, but I'm not familiar with the rest)?

Oh, and since this isn't a 'who's picks are the best? mine are better theen yeeerrrss nah na n' nah nah!' type of post, I decided to throw in a poll at the top where you can choose your favorite just to show everyone else how wrong they are !!

[eric343]

Falle.

Though for comfort you can't beat the HPC NDPX-Dental. And I like my HPC2000 hook...

The Navigator looks nice, though I've never used it. They obviously put some thought into it, and the case looks actually useful (instead of the usual sh*t).

[devildog]

Yeah, I didn't put in the Falles for two reasons:

1) I forgot ; hey, there's a lot pick-makers out there (I almost forgot the petersons).

2) They're kind of out of the league of the other picks mentioned ($50-100 for most basic sets from the makers mentioned, whereas it's around $300 for the basic Falle set).

[cracksman]

Don't buy the navigator set. The handles are comfortable, in a cheap plastic way, the pick sizes are pretty handy, but they are chromed or something like it. After a week, I got the set from unlockables, the chrome started chipping off the picks It is a shame, the style and contour are quite comfortable, but the materials, not so good.

[Santos718]

Why not just remove the chrome coating with a dremel and polishing it yourself. I would be long lasting. Unless the material itself is that cheap of quality.

[Grudge]

I like my Navigator pick set pretty well. I haven't had any of the problems Cracksman mentioned, but it could be that the quality has fallen off in the last couple of years since I got mine. I actually like the hard plastic handles (for pin feedback reasons). Overall I would rate the Navigator a nice step over the Southords.

It seems that a lot of folks like the Petersons (personally don't have them or HPC), so you might consider them too. However if you are bending up your Southords, I think you may be doing something wrong. Southords are made of stainless steel, not spring steel, so they don't flex much but I have never significantly bent one, even their Euro (thin) line.

[Santos718]

yea, Petersons are great. I'm actually waiting for some to come in. I've never had to chance to use Navigators, but I have read pretty good feed back. The hard plastic handles would make sense, like Grudge said, the pin/spring feedback would have a more recognizable feel to them.

[Ezer]

I'd eventually like to try all the major brands and types of picks, but of the few I've tried so far (SouthOrd 32 piece set, HPC 2000s, and HPC dentals) the HPC dentals are by far my favorite. For raking though, it's Ray's bogotas all the way.

[devildog]

I have to say that I do keep hearing good and bad reviews about the Navigators, so since you can't buy individual picks from that set to try out I'll probably stay away from them.

So now, I know that I'm definately getting some Petersons, and I've heard a lot of good things about HPC so I'll probably try them out as well. Anyone know anything about Majestics?? They look a lot like HPCs and are a little bit more available, especially as individual picks.

[quicklocks]

i use majestic. why?
i can pick locks with them.
get a set and see if they suit you its as simple as that

[sublime progie]

i also have majestics right now. they are my most succesful set so far. Which set do you have quickpicks?

[Varjeal]

I can't remember where the post went to or if it was clipped, but I recall someone mentioning about their petersons rusting. I thought it was kind of amusing myself because when I received my set it had a nice black coating on it...(I assumed it was for that very purpose).

Well, I went to crack open my pick case yesterday for some fun-picking, pulled out the petersons, and nearly had a coronary...sure enough, there was rust on the pick tips!

Now, I don't use my petersons every day, but at least every two days, while some other picks hardly get used for a week or so. I was therefore amazed at this issue...anyways back to the topic...

With the exception of a Navigator set (which I want to buy at some point) and Lab (might buy some just for collecting purposes) I voted other as I have all the other brands and find them good for specific purposes.

[quicklocks]

i also have majestics right now. they are my most succesful set so far. Which set do you have quickpicks?

my set is a 32 peice but ive added bits

[wsbpress]

I've only used SouthOrd, Lab, and Peterson. I really like both the Peterson's and the Lab set. The Peterson's I use for nice open keyways and those locks which don't require such a fine touch. The Peterson set also has a deep curved hook similar to the ones made by Falle, sometimes it really comes in handy. When there is a really tight keyway, tight tolerances, or security pins which require a really fine touch and really light tension I use the Lab picks. There is a great set of hooks of varying heights and they give good feedback. Also I use the Lab tension wrenches almost exclusively, they have a double-bend on one end which is nice when using the wrench at the top of the keyway.

[yippeegollies]

I'm using Rytan and HPC. Most picks are OK. The only one's I HATE with a passion are Ilco. Anyone who has seen/used them will know why.