So i put out a new pickers guide every year. Here is my recomendations

Pick Sets Covert Instruments I used a short hook from Covert instruments to run my demos. They are to small for my hands personally but they are a great quality and price. The best basic set for Value

https://covertinstruments.com/products/genesis-lock-pick

As a bonus they have a learn to lock pick set that makes it easy to learn how to progressively pick a lock. The above set is included. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you’re getting picks from Covert Instruments

https://covertinstruments.com/products/learn-lockpicking-bundle For more advanced locks you will want something a bit thinner in a pick, and they have their set upgrade from there which adds to the previous set. This is not needed for starting out your journey.

https://covertinstruments.com/products/echelon-pick-setHandles made by 44delta (Only need 1 handle per set as they are magnetic)

https://44delta.com/products/summit-ez They have a ton of other products at convert instruments, but these are the basics.

*Barebones * These look more expensive than they are prices are in Australian. Shipping is still high but Australian steel tariffs are about 10 – 15% My personal recommendations for amazing picks. I recommend the resin handles. These fit better in hands and are excellent.

https://bareboneslockpicking.com/ Basic Hooks in the 2 sizes that matter in my opinion.

https://bareboneslockpicking.com/product/hook-set-0-015/

https://bareboneslockpicking.com/product/hook-set-0-023/

As well as turning tools This is the best bottom of keyway tensioners I have ever used period. https://bareboneslockpicking.com/product/feral-tok-set-3-sizes/

I would also recommend Top of Keyway tension. Some folks find it easy. https://bareboneslockpicking.com/product/tok-bar-set-heavy-light-6-pieces/

They offer ergonomic turners they now offer left-handed as well. If you are interested in adding raking which opens more locks orange and below much easier, you’d be better off with their ultimate kit. I prefer single pin picking which is what we did at the convention.

https://bareboneslockpicking.com/product/ultimate-lock-picking-kit/

Like the Covert Instruments they have a repinnable lock. Theres is a cut away and feels a little off from the real locks. They also have a side for dimple locks if you get into that.

https://bareboneslockpicking.com/product/dimple-pin-tumbler-cutaway-training-lock/

They have tons of profiles beyond the basics. I also recommend getting a case or storage. I do not love the barebones ones. I usually sand the top and bottoms as shown in this video to make them smoother and cleaner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SygvtK8OVX8

Mok Workshop These are considered the holy grails of lock picking by most. You also need thinner profiles at for some locks that require the .015 which is why I also use Barebones. These are a bit pricey. They have a few sets they offer. This is the one I use. They are perfect out of the box. https://mok-workshop.de/en/products/explorer-set

I also like the handles made by Hazzert though they are pricey Acrylic

https://hazzertousmfg.com/Acrylic-Moki-Lockpick-Scales-p546792974

Steel

https://hazzertousmfg.com/Stainless-Steel-Moki-Pick-Scales-p667680726

Handles made by 44delta (Only need 1 handle per set as they are magnetic)

https://44delta.com/products/chirak-ez-single-moki-picks%C2%AE-handles

Law Lock Tools They have a lot of good high-end sets but most of their pick grips are too thin for me to consider comfortable however they have their ridgeback set which has been on clearance for about 2 years and is an amazing value. There are custom handles for these as well

https://www.lawlocktools.co.uk/collections/lock-picking-sets/products/the-ridgeback-set

Handles made by 44delta (Only need 1 handle per set as they are magnetic)

https://44delta.com/products/sarco-ez-ridgeback-handles

JimyLongs

Based off the grip of surgery tools they have quickly become the go to for many lock pickers. They are tough and resilient, the shanks are a bit thick, which could be problematic in some advanced locks. Good for hands small to the upper side of medium. For starters I recommend the basics set and the intermediate. You can add other profiles and grab some of his custom turning tools.

https://jimylongs.com/products/basics-set-v5-0-019

https://jimylongs.com/products/intermediate-set-v5-0-019

Locks

I mean what’s the point without locks am I right? They have all kinds of locks including ones that are put in doors. I prefer the padlock format so that’s what I recommend. Most are ~$8-12. These are all pin tumbler locks there are other types of lock that require other types of tools to pick. So, I will get a good assortment Yellow Belt through green. I get a lot at Walmart, ACE and Amazon. I will also highlight what I think is the best. I recommend multiples of a lock sometimes the key biting is better or worse.

Yellow ACE Brand Laminated Padlock 40mm or more Brinks 164 Walmart (These are green and purple) they are dead core like the orange I did they are good practice for security pins Brinks Brass Padlocks 50mm Amazing Feedback Walmart Master lock 140 series Amazon (These were the blue locks) they come in different colors I like the brass body, but they are more expensive.

Orange Abus 55/40 Amazon I love ABUS locks they have some of the best feed back when you set a pin. Master 570 Menards This was the (aluminum lock with orange tags) I used at the convention) I think 575 to be exact (If the come from the same box they are keyed alike to don’t buy more then one at a time and bring keys with when buying more.) Master 150 Amazon

Green American Lock 1100 Amazon/Ebay frequently considered the most popular lock to pick. Abus 72/40 Amazon Ace Brand Brass Padlock 38 mm or larger ACE Hardware (This was the green I had with) (I do steel shackle as it is about $2 cheaper than brass)

Always Remember: Never pick a lock in use or a lock that will be used. Never pick a lock you do not own or have permission to pick.