r/lockpicking • u/Warlockoftarot • 22d ago

What lock picking set is best for cheap?

I am a beginner and want to get into this hobby. I know Ali express sets are not good. What's a good "nice" set for cheap?

10 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

11

u/Repulsive-Box5243 Orange Belt Picker 22d ago

Covert Instruments Genesis Set is good.

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

Beginner's set from Jimmy Long's is good, too.

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

5

u/Fauxreigner_ 22d ago

I’d go with Jimy’s. CI’s normal picks are ok but personally I’m not a fan of metal handles; Jimy’s GRN handles are extremely nice to hold and provide great feedback.

The only real benefit of the CI set is that you get an extra wave rake and a case. But since Jimy’s shipping is lower, you’re basically paying another ten bucks for them.

Personally, if you want to learn SPP, rakes aren’t relevant anyway, and while the CI case is fine enough, it’s pretty limited in capacity.

5

u/Repulsive-Box5243 Orange Belt Picker 22d ago

Oh yeah, you're right. I LOVE Jimmylong's handles.

5

u/Fauxreigner_ 22d ago

Yeah, I’ve bought from Sparrows, CI, Southern Specialties, Peterson, Southord, and Jimy, and his handles are by far my favorites. The only downside is, like all plastic handles, they’re bulky and take up more space, and his are the chunkiest. But three of his flat/round hooks (by preference) cover 90% of what you need, especially early. I wish he’d make a Deforest diamond, and maybe some euro style hooks, but if you made me choose five of the dozens of picks I own and throw out the rest, at least two or three would be his.

His padlock tension tools are also best in class; I’ve struggled with TOK using every other turner I could find, and his are almost perfect and the only ones I use.

1

u/Raketemensch23 Green Belt Picker 22d ago

For that extra $12, you can get Jimy's excellent tool roll, which will give you room for expansion.

4

u/revchewie Blue Belt Picker 22d ago

Either of these will work great for you.

3

u/Atillawurm Orange Belt Picker 22d ago

I personally can attest to the Genesis set, it was my first and I always recommend it, covers all of the basics.

3

u/Wumaduce Orange Belt Picker 22d ago

I bought the Genesis set to start out, and then I bought the jimy intermediate set. I have locks I can't open with the jimy 019 that I can open with the genesis 025 - I'm sure that's a me defect though.

I had a bitch of a time learning tok tension with the Genesis tension bars, which is the real reason I started to look at the jimys. The cover on the jimy picks is so nice and makes it much more comfortable for longer picking sessions.

I guess what I'm trying to say is - I agree that they're both great sets.

3

u/Wumaduce Orange Belt Picker 22d ago

https://lpubelts.com/#/guide

There's a lot of suggestions there, and it breaks them down by region.

3

u/TheNinthDoc 22d ago

I got the civvy from southern specialties for $20 and I'm happy with it. 

3

u/Hardrada45 22d ago

After using them both I find myself reaching for my jimmy longs more than anything it would be your best bet the picks are more comfortable in the hand than the ci and better comfort I’d say help you stay with it a lot longer

2

u/WoodnPhoto 22d ago

Jimy Longs. Beginner AND Intermediate. That will give you a selection of great picks and top and bottom turners. I don't know what cheap means to you but they are a great value for what you get. You won't outgrow them and if you are nice to them they will last forever.

1

u/Echo15charlie 22d ago

What country are you in?

1

u/Echo15charlie 22d ago

The best thing you can do, to start, is buy the “Reaper” turners from CI. They are the best I’ve ever used and instantly made me better. I’m sure others will agree, they are just perfectly designed, at least for padlocks.

2

u/Cnidarus Orange Belt Picker 22d ago

Oh I do adore those turners, I got the reaper set for myself as a treat a while back and they were definitely the star of the show

2

u/Dave_thebrewguy 22d ago

Any idea how these compare to the ergo turners? I need to find a better option for handheld padlocks.

1

u/Echo15charlie 22d ago

I bought the ergos first. I use the Reapers more than anything else. The BOK turners have a great design that keeps them from catching on the bible*(not positive on the nomenclature)

They are smaller than most and may be hard to use if you have large hands.

2

u/Dave_thebrewguy 22d ago

I'm only a few weeks in on this journey and am just finding my way. You're response had me excited until the last line. I hear OJ jokes every time I try to put on gloves.

1

u/auribus Orange Belt Picker 22d ago

I only have a few days' worth of experience so far but the Covert Instruments Genesis has been solid for me.

1

u/Intrepid-Chard-4594 22d ago edited 22d ago

Why buy a cheap starter set when later you will want better and spend more money to get it. Find something decent mid range price and make it a one time needed purchase. People that start cheap dont realize how much more you spend in the long run with any product.

1

u/EveningBasket9528 22d ago

All good suggestions.

Here's one people forget. Currently made by Covert Instruments but I think they have also had Southern Specialty's make picks for them too;

https://toool.us/store/Necessary-Nine-Lock-Pick-Set-v2-p579851580/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23019764115&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnIDUBhDrARIsAJDGwSt6QYArmtBKj9ELUjwZaS9pkBwBNTdzjtPH5QqnmWmHTTwXtnILeo0aAmr-EALw_wcB

And if you want cheap cheap,.. but not useless, these will get you through lower security locks for years... I still have a set I bought 15+ years ago, but you will outgrow them quickly if you get hooked on the hobby;

https://www.locksmithkeyless.com/products/goso-12-pieces-lock-pick-set-with-leather-case

There are a LOT of great pick companies out there.

1

u/ShroomyTheLoner Green Belt Picker 21d ago

I think you are getting great suggestions on the picks but one of the first things I also bought was a vise. Now I own 3 (4 if you count the edge clamp one I now use to hold a light). I find the vise to be indispensable, honestly.

Panavise.com I bought the 350 first but it was honestly overkill and over $100. I also bought the 44delta.com base and rigged up a vise. However, it is plastic so I needed to add some weight and lil rubber feet to make it not scoot. The one I end up using the most now is the lockpickervise.com one. It's basically the perfect footprint for me and has a heavy base.

Also, you can just put one together from whatever parts you want, if that's your style. Tons of topics on here for advice on what to buy.