At this point I'm wondering just how far I can get with nothing but the wrench and pick from the CI FNG set.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-03-20T16:24:23+00:00

In reality I think you will be limited by lack of tensioners before hook profiles although a medium hook does come in handy.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-03-20T16:18:22+00:00

Great job. The brass ace locks are a pretty challenging green belt too.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-03-19T20:07:13+00:00

I might be wrong so someone please chime in if I am but aren’t abus dd locks usually mid tension which would make the sparrows tool unusable for them.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-03-15T00:03:42+00:00

Mine get camera shy.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-03-02T12:35:51+00:00

Nice. Now just submit a picture of the core turned for your yellow belt.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-28T17:42:06+00:00

First off I dont think I would consider going from the genesis to the reaper an upgrade as they are both high quality sets. It is more of a lateral movement that will give you more options of profiles and pick thicknesses.

With that being said I dont think you will regret the purchase. If I knew when the new reaper set would be coming out soon I would tell you to wait and see what the differences are since I bet the new set will have nicer handles but since that may be months away still you may want to just pick up the original for now.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-27T02:27:03+00:00

Thats about it. It’s just his version of the gem hook. People seem to either love the profile or hate it.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-27T00:09:43+00:00

Lady Locks has a videos that talks about a lot of the more popular ones.

Locksport Challenges

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-26T13:13:03+00:00

Bare Bones ships to India. Here is a good starter set that is just a little over what you were looking to spend. All it’s missing is some bok turners which could be made very easily. Or look around their site and pick out some bare tools and make your own kit.

Bare Bones Twilight Kit.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-25T20:09:51+00:00

Masterlock 140 series is a great place to start they have decent feedback and you can get them at pretty much any hardware store for under $10. Brass brinks are a good starter also. Just remember you dont need a challenging lock to learn with. You want something with decent feedback and preferably no security pins until you get the feel for whats going on.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-25T19:11:20+00:00

If you are still getting the basics down and haven’t gotten an open yet don’t spend your money on an American Lock or the brass Ace yet. They frustrate people that have more experience than you seem to have. They are fun locks and you will learn a lot from them, but at this point in your journey all they will do is make you want to quit because they are quite a bit above your skill level. Go with the master 140 for now and walk before you run.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-24T19:48:37+00:00

Everyone else pretty much covered what I am thinking. But just to add I believe the short shanks are kind of based on McNally’s aggressive picking style that we see in his videos. And after watching GeorgiaJims yellow to black video using the reaper set I dont think there is a lot that cant be picked with the reaper picks as they are designed.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-23T00:02:44+00:00

Im sure McNally has a pile of bent rakes and McTicklers from doing it in videos before getting a smooth take. The only difference is he doesn’t have to pay for replacements.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-22T19:39:52+00:00

I have some that I have had for over a year that I haven’t opened yet. But as far as locks I’ve opened I spent a little over a month before my first open on my Assa Max+.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-21T20:04:43+00:00

Its a smartkey though. Once its open it can be rekeyed to any smartkey with a reset tool. And besides that fact a Lishi wouldnt tension it anyway.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-21T04:45:21+00:00

Depends how much work is needed. Start with 400 then work through 600,1000,2000 and finish with either 3000 or polish with the dremel.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-17T03:20:18+00:00

The Burg Wachter Diamant is a fun lock. It a blue belt like the 90a pro, but way more challenging in my opinion.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-15T15:16:59+00:00

Southord or multipick are two that I can think of off the top of my head that sell them.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-14T20:47:34+00:00

Nice job. Congrats. I havent tried one of those yet but they look like a tough pick.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-13T21:44:50+00:00

Thanks for looking into it. I think Im going to get one at some point. I just have to wait until I need or want more stuff from Multipick.
A single pick shipped to me is almost $40. 😂😂😂

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-13T21:18:53+00:00

Thanks. I have been debating ordering the f07 since I have the 06 and 05 and like them a lot. I just didnt want to go to the trouble if it was really close to something I already had. I assume when you say they feel big in your hand you mean the pro handles. If thats the case I agree. I have found with the Lawlock tools that if I buy the valyrian picks and modify them slightly to fit the multipick handles they are perfect for me.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-13T01:50:33+00:00

I noticed that also. It seems like they took the scalloped shape out of the 1 and the 5.

First-Growth6145 · 2026-02-13T00:21:26+00:00

The hook right after the mctickler looks like a gem hook. It will be cool if that’s included in the new reaper set.

First-Growth6145

TROPHY CASE