Looking for a pocket tool....kinda.....

have you ever lockpicked a lock ?

 

I've used the Shomer-Tec one before. But, if you want it to definitely remain in one piece I had a lucite plastic case for an ID card that I carried it in. Mine was clear, but looked a lot like these:

 

I'm not sure of your experience level...but either way my answer stays the same...

Go with the bogatas....Here's a shot of my small credit card sized set that I keep in my condor pouch. I can get into anything with these given a few minutes. Its obviously tougher because of the length of the tool. The leverage just isn't there. But I put some grips on them to make them a little more comfortable in the hand, as well as duct tape engineering a small pouch to throw them in.

Can you tell the short hook is my favorite?

 

This might be another option.... with the caveats noted in the video.



If you want to go thicker/more durable/more expensive, this might be an option:
Houdini Lock Pick Set

ATB,
Sam

 

Funny enough, that video review is the exact same set I posted above

 

Couldn't tell from the camo-tape (?) Besides.... never pass up the opportunity to post a product review.

ATB,
Sam

 

I've got some, not in a card like that, made from old bandsaw blades. I just put them in a little pouch and they don't take up much space. My old man is really good with them, me not so much. My kid is taking after his grampa though.

 

Yessir! After I applied grips to mine they were so much easier to use. Those things can cut ya good! But anyway, the grips hindered the whole credit card thing, so I made a good ol' duct tape pouch

 

I'm pretty into lockpicking...and just at a quick glance, none of those sets really some with anything that ultra-useful. Unless you've been at it for a long while I suppose. I think it was the second set that came with a half-diamon or deforest diamond. But....yeah....seems pretty pricey for nothing. Get some SouthOrd or Sparrows picks, trim them at the end, and you're good to go.

-Andrew

 

I haven't been picking for too long at all...and I've managed to get everything I've tried to open with the short hook, and by raking with the others. The set I bought was like $5.99 +4.99 shipping on BUDK. I just wanted something to start out on. The tension wrench isn't the best though. But it works. So as far as value...I think they're worth every penny to get the job done as a hobby.

That being said, its cheaper to throw together a GOOD 3 piece set with individual picks on southord if you want something basic. 3 Solid pieces and a good tension wrench will run around $15 with shipping.

 

Precisely.

 

So which 3 tools would that be? I see there are 4 different rakes and two sizes of most other tools.

 

Everyone's different. But my personal preference from SouthOrd would be this.

Dual sided tension wrench.
Dual sided pick. ("W" pick on one side, and short hook on the other)
Diamond/Ball combo pick.

With shipping. That should be around $6. Honestly anyone can spare $6 on a real good three piece set. I can open most anything with just those 3 right there. No need to go buy an extremely expensive set, I mean if you want titanium...sure go do that...they're tough and will never let you down. But for a beginner, or even an intermediate locksport fan....that $6 setup right there will get you miles down the road.

 

So the standard picks are pretty sturdy? I was originally looking at the ones that are $4.29 each. I'm hesitant on spending $20 on something I just wanted to try, but don't want to buy throw away items either.

 

^---Not that you'd ever do that right?

 

Where'd you get those?! I'd love one of those to carry just to make sure I'll always have it on me!

 

WHere'd you get this?! I want one!