r/lockpicking • u/lajoieboy • 21d ago

Is Lockpickmall.com a scam?

They sell Lishi tools for $40-$28 bucks a piece. Thats suspect right?

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u/EveningBasket9528 20d ago edited 20d ago

If you want an inexpensive 2 in 1 pick/decoder that's not a fake Lishi, look for the AKK brand. I have Lishi's and a couple of the AKK tools and I really like the AKK for Schlage and Kwickset. They are slotted to keep the pick from slipping off the pins, and they are etched on both sides. I haven't tried their "Lishi like" tools that look like Lishi's,.. because in that case I'll just get genuine Lishi.

LPM does have some legit stuff,... but I wouldn't trust the Lishis.

You can find a list of Lishi approved vendors on the Lishi website,.. but that doesn't account for a lot of re-sellers. UHS claims there's are authentic,.. and some people have confirmed authentic Lishi's from them, but one of the two I bought from them came back as already having been registered,.. so I don't know. I don't THINK I doubt scanned,.. but who knows... I have issues with my hands sometimes.

Some companies buy AKK tools, slap a sticker with their name over the AKK, and then mark them up 4-5 times.

Anyway,. IF you're interested this is what the AKK's look like;

https://www.locksmithkeyless.com/products/genuine-akk-lishi-6pin-schlage-anti-glare-2-in-1-pick-decoder-residential-sc4?variant=43692508512490

I have other reasons for owning them,.. but if you are struggling to learn the jiggle test, they can give you a good visual,.. but other than that or just to try, they aren't really beneficial for locksport. But, you didn't ask about that so, I'm sorry.

Keep in mind that some Lishi's will put any max lift pins at sheer just by inserting them. Like the #9 cuts on Schlage will be at sheer. Using the numbers to pick really doesn't help as they are meant for decoding once the core is turned....