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Comparison of Lockpick Sets for Beginners


Lockpicking sets are available in a multitude of varieties, ranging from beginner to advanced and everything in between. While just starting out and learning, costly advanced sets with a plethora of different tools aren’t necessary, but are available. Many pick sets are also available with different qualities of steel, handles, and materials. In the beginning of your lockpicking journey, simplicity is a key component in learning the inside of a lock along with methods to manipulate the internal mechanisms. The best place to start is with a simple set consisting of some tension tools, hook picks of different depths, and a variety of rake picks. The most important thing in this stage is learning at your own pace, and not overwhelming yourself with a grandiose number of tools.

What Should I Buy?

That depends on your budget and the quality that you seek. A great starter pick set for a low budget is the Southord 5-piece lockpick set with How-To booklet. This set comes with some basic tools to begin learning, which include: 1 short hook pick, 1 single ball pick, 1 small diamond pick, 1 C-rake, 1 standard tension tool, a quality leather case, and a detailed illustrated learners guide to picking common pin and tumbler locks. This lockpick set can be found here:

https://www.lockpickshop.com/PXS-05L.html

A starter set that falls in the middle of the spectrum as far as pricing is concerned, is the Southord 20-piece lockpick set. Although this is a high number of tools to consistently learn in the start of things, six of the picks have a metal handle that provides excellent feedback while widening your grip surface area and providing a more comfortable maneuverability of the tool. The handles are made of reinforced steel with your comfort and convenience in mind. The pick profiles included with this set also stick along the lines of the basic hook picks and rake picks that will be ideal for learning your new skill. This set comes with similar tools to the previous set while including a few additional picks, additional tension tools, and a larger zippered case. The included components are 14 assorted picks, a broken key extractor, and six tension tools. This rustproof set is made from high-quality rivetless stainless steel. This set can be purchased here:

https://www.lockpickshop.com/MPXS-20.html

In comparison around the point of a similar budget, is the Peterson Talon set. This set utilizes similar pick profiles made of the highest quality government steel. They have a firm plastic handle that provides ample feedback in your pin manipulating adventure. The Talon Lock Pick Set includes the following five Government Steel picks 1 DR-GSP - Double Rake, 1 BG-1 - GSP Bogie series 1 in 0.025, 1 BG-2-18 GSP - Bogie series 2 in 0.018, 1 HD-GSP - Hooked Diamond, and 1 H1-GSP - Hook 1.In addition to the five Government Steel picks listed, a selection of six high quality Government Steel turning tools that the user can adjust to their personal needs, is also included. This set is readily available here:

https://www.lockpickshop.com/GSP-TAL-PS.html

If deciding on a purchase with a greater budget, there are sets that are amazing for beginning lockpickers that also offer a comprehensive ability to grow with your skill level. This is because some of them include may more tools than you will use at first or have other profiles available that you can purchase separately in order to expand your sets capabilities. Among these is the Southord 32-piece lockpick set. This pick set is a must have for any lockpicking hobbyist or professional. It offers all the same tools as the starter sets and much more with the addition of ball and diamond picks in combination with additional hook and rake profiles. This is a metal handled set that is more ideal than previously mentioned lockpick sets for use in American locks and capable of maneuvering into a larger variety of keyways as well. Every pick included is made with the same metal handle as those found in the Southord 20-piece lock pick set. It can be purchased here:

https://www.lockpickshop.com/MPXS-32.html

In a similar category regarding price points with higher budgets, is the Peterson Eagles Nest pick set. This set doesn’t have many profiles, but don’t let that fool or deter you. These picks are designed to be part of this comprehensive high quality every day carry set. it includes common hook and rake profiles including 1 DR-ENP - Double rake, 1 H1-ENP - Hook 1, 1 H4-ENP - Hook 4, 1 PG-ENP - Peterson Gem, 1 BG1-GSP - Bogie 1 - Government Steel, 1 BG2-SS-18 Bogie 2 - Euro Slender - 0.018, bottom of the keyway tension tools, a top of the keyway tension tool, a durable Velcro case, and sturdy plastic handles. It is a highly regarded set of picks within the locksport community and a go to for many individuals seeking their first set of Peterson tools. This wondrous set can be found here:

https://www.lockpickshop.com/EAG-PS-ENP.html

This is not an all-inclusive list of available tools or sets of tools. There are numerous options to choose from for every budget, desire, and set of needs. Decide what it is that you need and navigate over to https://www.lockpickshop.com/ and look around. Thank you for joining our lockpicking community, and happy picking.

-ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED, Travis Cogswell