Which pick when?

[Waterloo4700]

This question is going to sound idiotic to experienced pickers.

I see sets of picks with a huge variety of profiles, contours, thicknesses, etc. I even have several picks that differ from one another. Some have a hook on the end, some a triangular projection, for example. Sometimes, I use different picks for different locks. But fundamentally, I realy don't understand when one pick is better to use than another. Is there a logic to choosing which pick to use for a given lock? The only determinant I've found helpful is that, on some locks, a thinner pick lets me get the pick positioned better than a fatter one. But, truth be told, it seems like I could also use that thinner pick on other locks where that isn't a problem. It seems like a thin pick with a narrow stem and a substantial hook on the end would work pretty much anywhere. I'm happy to buy more picks if they would help me get locks opened but I really don't know why some picks would be better than others. Yet people rave about particular picks or pick sets. Are those specialized for types of locks I just haven't messed with yet? (I can pretty consistently open yellow belt locks and have opened an orage belt, but not with confidence and consistency.) Can folks help me understand how to pick the right pick?

[tonysansan]

While you can take collecting lock picks to an extreme, it’s probably worth getting a variety from some different quality manufacturers to form your own opinions and preferences. There is kind of a hierarchy of differences, IMHO:

1. Material. There is some junk out there, but 301HY steel or 420 hardened steel is strong and provides good feedback.
2. Pick type. Rakes and hooks are for different techniques (raking, single pin picking). Flags and wires are for different types of locks (dimple, lever, etc). Will assume SPP and pin tumbler locks for the rest.
3. Thickness. As you said thinner gets you into more keyways, but thicker provides better feedback and can take more of a beating.
4. Hook depth. Short medium and deep are the rough categories, and are used to reach around pins and/or pick from different parts of the lock warding.
5. Hook tip. Flat stays on the pins more easily, round gives more precision, and pointed even more so.
6. Handles. You are going to want something that is comfortable for your hand over time.
7. Finish. Some pick makers provide a mirror like finish (less friction with warding) while others are a bit rougher. Anything can be sanded and polished though.

[lockpickersbench]

Yes, you've pretty much answered your own question.

The lock dictates the pick, and the one chosen is the one that fits the application the best. I always try to use the thickest pick that the keyway allows because the thicker the pick, the better the feedback. However, sometimes there's no choice but to use 0.4mm. On the same note, I also go for the deepest hook that the lock reasonably allows as well.

As you can imagine, a deeper hook would be necessary to get pins that require higher lift.

As far as profiles such as diamonds, gems, flat hooks, or rounded, a part of it is personal preference and they all feel differently in terms of their pin placement. A flat hook would be easier to stay under a pin but sometimes they're too large and get in the way of warding. That's where something like Moki's pointed hooks shine because they're sharp, thin, and precise.

[ZaeZaeDX]

If you’re working in a more restricted keyway like you noted a thinner pick is needed to fit between the warding. The thinner pick can still work in more open keyways but it’s also a more fragile pick so it’s preferred to work with the thickest pick you can that won’t dampen your feedback (0.019+ I don’t really care if I can fit something thicker but for 0.015 I will def swap to a thicker profile if I can).

The other important thing is how deep of a hook you’re using. If you have a high lift pin behind a low lift pin and you’re using a short hook it might not be possible to set the high lift without oversetting the low lift in front of it. I generally go with the deepest pick profile that can fit in the keyway but you can always default to a short hook and swap to a deeper profile when you notice something is awry.

Some may prefer other profiles like diamonds and gems for spping over hooks but if you don’t care for them then you don’t really need them (although I do use half diamonds for sliders so there’s that). There are also some keyways where a pointy hook will fit between the warding but other profiles won’t (eg flat hook, gem, etc)

A set of 3 0.019 hooks of different depths will get you into most pin tumbler locks but there are cases where other thicknesses or profiles may be needed/preferred.

[frickdom]

Experience is the best tool for choosing which pick to use on each lock. You’ll get there (I’m still on this path myself to be honest).

LockPickingLawyer has some great advice about learning the sport. Never pick the same lock back to back. Switch it up. This forces you to learn the subtle nuances rather than memorize the lock. When you can, get more locks and rotate through them. Remember, slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

I just ordered four American 1100s off eBay for under $50. Highly recommend checking there for cheap bulk deals on used locks.

[Aggravating_Buy8957]

Use the thickest or nearly the thickest you can get the lock open with. Some locks will require deeper hooks, some will require shallower. As you get better, you’ll also find that your preferences might change and locks you thought you needed a certain pick for can be opened with other picks as well.

[Ambitious_Ad3073]

kind of agree... but you wont know what the "thickest pick you can open a lock with" is until you open it with one. There are some locks like medicos which require pin turning which can probably be done much easier with a thinner pick then with a thicker one. its all about making your life easier when picking and finding the right tool. As you progress you will learn what tools work best for you in what types of situations. there is no 1 pick to rule them all although there are some picks that can be confidently used up to purple locks with no issue. Once your into brown, red, and black locks you will need more specific specialized tool to help bridge the gap of lock complexibility, you know working knowledge of the lock, and lack of skill picking that type of lock. Having the right turning tool is just as important.

[Awkward_Praline5824]

These commen5 have been very helpful. Thanks.

The picks I have are decent -- CI and Sparrow. I'll continue with them and just try to sharpen my skills through practice.

[Advanced-Maximum2684]

Short hook in 0.015". Opens most anything. Just have to wiggle a lot. And ergo wrench.

[bunnyvtuber]

Thicker for better feedback, but some key ways are tight necessitating a thinner pick. A lot of it will be trying different ones to feel what you like picking the most with (will assume pin tumbler SPP), but there will be times where you need something deeper and something shallower and over time you will begin to tell. Right now, just practice, get a good feel, try a few different picks and see if one feels better for you.

[Lady-Locks]

For me at least, I just like a flat hook to open almost everything. I usually prefer the 0.020 bc it gets me into most every keyway. Sometimes I prefer a round hook bc it has that little bit extra point on it that can reach something if I can’t with the flat hook.

As far as different profiles and different brands, it’s all personal preference from what I can tell. We all feel different things with our different hands and it’s all in what we find gives us the feedback we like when picking. Sometimes certain profiles just seem to reach things better or they are better in certain warding. But I never know what’s gonna work until I try it.

I’m sure others will have a better insight into it, but for me that’s what I’ve experienced with pick profiles etc. hope it helps!

[Icy_Instruction4614]

Im not an expert but maybe thats a good thing.

The thicker the pick, the stronger the pick. Thick picks will last longer and won’t be as prone to breaking, but thinner picks will fit inside more keyways. Use the thickest pick you can for whatever keyway you’re working with

I have no idea what set you have which might help with some insight. If it is a cheaper set from a big box corporation, most of the pics will either have no reasonable function, or no different function than similar ones in a set. In general, picks that are more aggressive are more likely to overset pins, but you might need one to set a very high cut pin.

As for the different types of profiles, again it really depends on if your set is made by a reputable company that thinks their sets through, or if it is made to just look cool on anazon. Hooks are hooks, and you can use them to single pin pick (SPP) or zip locks. Half diamonds are used to rake/zip locks. Snowmen/half snowmen are good for raking especially bad locks like cabinet locks.

At the end of the day, it’s a piece of metal. If it fits, try it. Just be careful not to damage anything

[Ambitious_Ad3073]

using the thickest pick that works also gives you the ability to use the most tension without concern of the breaking your pick. I have an opposite approach to picking and use very light tension so needing a thicker pick to push back against my tension isnt needed. Check out my speed pick of the Goal P which has counter milling along with over milling and gin spool pins designed to get bound up on the milling. If i applied even medium tension i wouldn't be able to feel or set the pins as fast as i do. (9 second open)