Southern Specialities store

by **biggar101** » 11 Aug 2005 16:13

hey i order some picks off these guys and i havent got anything for about 10-15. i emailed them like about 6 days ago no email came back saying late shipping or anything. i knew something was up with the free shipping. i payed them allready like 10 days ago. so buyers beware on this website.

i lost there website but i can find it on the search button.

by **Grudge** » 11 Aug 2005 22:01

I have ordered from Southern Specialties and had good luck with them. Part of the order was delayed, but they emailed me and asked if that was OK or to cancel the order. They don't seem to be the most professional group on the net, but I don't think they are bandits either.

by **devildog** » 12 Aug 2005 0:34

Most people seem to think that their jackknife set is the best one made, and I'm VERY seriously thinking about getting some of those deep-curve Falle-type hooks they have for about 20 bucks

I'd really love to hear a review about those from anyone who's got'em :?:

by **Grudge** » 12 Aug 2005 16:01

Devil, I really like their jackknife because it locks down tight and you can get a ton of pick blades for it (it comes with a decent selection, but choice is a good thing). I don't own the Southord so I can't compare with it, but the main complaint I heard was 'wiggling' blades, not a problem here. Overall, for a jackknife, I would say it is very well made.

I have both the Southern clones and a real Falle set but haven't sat down to compare them yet (I have been too busy even to pick for a month :-(

). I will take a picture tonight and give you a mini-review.

by **devildog** » 12 Aug 2005 16:44

Great! I've really been wondering if there was anyone who had the real Falle's and the Southern Specialty copies to compare them.

It seems to me that with as much interest as there is in Falle Safe picks, there would be more in these copies if they were half-decent, but there doesn't seem to be too many people who have them or want them--maybe I'm missing something? It isn't THAT important that they say 'Falle Safe' on the side, is it??

by **Santos718** » 12 Aug 2005 17:19

I actually recieved my southern falle-safe replicas today.

by **devildog** » 12 Aug 2005 17:34

WELL?!?!?!?!

How do they work? Do you have some real Falles to compare them to? Pictures?

by **Santos718** » 12 Aug 2005 18:14

They are great!!! and nope, sorry, not rich enough to own real falle-safe picks. :wink:

Pictures will be taken and uploaded soon.

by **Grudge** » 12 Aug 2005 20:10

Ok, ok already. At least give me a few hours :roll:

First, here is a picture of the Falle-Safes next to the Southerns (I matched them up the best I could). That is 1/4 inch graph paper behind them.

As you can see the Southerns are only an approximation of the Falles, the curves are different (but close) and all of the Southerns are wider across the feelers (for instance one Southern was .077 inches across vs .058 inches for the matching Falle). Justs check out the picture, the Southerns all look 'fatter' at the business ends. Of course you could always sand them down, but I am not sure they would hold up (see metal hardness below).

The Southerns are thinner, however, along the narrow edge (.020 vs .023 inches). The Falles definitely feel stiffer, perhaps from the extra thickness but I suspect the stainless steel is harder too. I also noticed a couple of the Southers are bent, I have had less problems with the Falles.

As mentioned in another thread, the Falles come straight out of the stamping factory and the edges are rough. The Southerns also needed a bit of sanding too but actually I believe a quite a bit less (hard to remember, Santos what do you think?).

Overall, I would say the Southerns are about 75% as good as the Falles, and obviously much more affordable. Of course you get a lot more than what is shown in the picture with the Falles. The tension tools alone go a long way towards making its outragous price worth it. So if you are floating in cash, not a contest, go Falles. You occasionally need a long reach curve and are on a budget, consider the Peterson reach or the Southerns.

by **Santos718** » 12 Aug 2005 21:12

Grudge wrote:As mentioned in another thread, the Falles come straight out of the stamping factory and the edges are rough. The Southerns also needed a bit of sanding too but actually I believe a quite a bit less (hard to remember, Santos what do you think?).

I agree, they could use a bit of sanding. Mostly on the handles, and not the business end. If I wasn't on a budget, I would have gone Falle-safe originals, without a hesitation. The replicas work great, but nothing is better than the original. So, if you are on a budget, like myself, go for the replicas, they are great. I wish I was Grudge right now, and own the real deal.

by **cracksman** » 12 Aug 2005 22:31

Thanks Grudge,
I've been waiting for a paycheck to buy the knock-offs. I think I'll hold off after your review and seeing the picks. I wish Falle would sell individual replacement picks

-don't need them yet, and they do have doubles of the most used, but still.... I loved the Peterson reach before the Falles, it is a nice design, and affordable. Although the knockoffs do seem stubby, they seem like they should work o.k. I know db has a set of copies, I would be curious to know how they match up.

by **vector40** » 12 Aug 2005 23:21

So to clarify, are these different from the Falle imitations on this page? http://www.lockpicktools.com/lockpicks.htm

by **Santos718** » 12 Aug 2005 23:23

nope, those are the same imitations. I ordered mine from that site. But so they have no problem with shipping, the packing label will say, Southern Specialties, and come up on the computer as just tools.

by **devildog** » 13 Aug 2005 0:00

hmmm, you know, I really think I might just try to make my own version of the falle deep-curves and see what happens. Only problem is I don't have ANY power tools right now (acquisition of Dremel 400XPR off of Ebay is imminent now, but I still haven't gotten to it yet), and I was wondering if this was doable with just some simple hand tools like what Raimundo does with the Bogotas??

I've got...a decent file, lansky knife sharpening kit, leatherman, pliers, screwdrivers galore, a hammer, wrenches, duct tape, JB Weld, superglue, a Stanley measuring tape, gun oil, a propane gas stove for heat (propane burns at the same temperature whether it's coming out of a torch or a stovetop :wink:

), some WD-40, and I can buy some wiper blades...Whaddaya think??

by **cracksman** » 13 Aug 2005 0:17

A decent file, but the wiper blades are probably too thin, don't bend the hook into shape, grind it out. I'm going to hand make one this weekend out of a hacksaw blade and a hand file (o.k. over the next week :wink:

) If I can, and it is sturdy (don't see why it wouldn't be) then the whole argument of not enough tools would be put to rest

I love my dremel, but the patience I have put into learning how to pick (about 2-3 hours a day for 3 months-no shite) makes me grow more confident that I can craft a near perfect replica of a Falle, or Peterson reach (wish I knew that 3 months ago would have saved myself a few hundred :wink:

)

Southern Specialities store

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