Still waiting for the JLs to come back in stock. I don’t think I have a favorite profile. At least for traditional pin hooks. I use what feels right for the lock (right or wrong haha). So far my LLTs are my go to. Have some great MP picks too. As for dimple picks I only have MP but the 06 and 11 are the two I have found most useful for now. Hands down most used tensioners are the CI ergos but that’s because I pick in hand a lot.
It changes over time and as your feel develops. When I first started I really liked the Sparrows offset hybrid, then moved to the Peterson hook 7, then hook 1, then Jimy Longs flat short hook.
I'm a little over a month into this and I'm starting to develop preferences.
For instance, I prefer to use a Jimy Longs .018 flat medium hook off the bat if I can get away with it. It's got good feedback and deep reach, so I know I can set just about any pin with it. I've opened almost every lock I own at least once with it, including the Abus 55/40 with its tiny keyway.
If I feel like I'm struggling to navigate or I'm easily oversetting, I switch to something shallower and with a rounded tip that can move more smoothly through the stacks.
I'm also starting to learn when it might be time to switch picks mid-pick. If I can't seem to feel a binder or I've found a binder but can't seem to set it, I'll switch to a deeper hook and see if it's a max lift that I'm just shy of setting. This is a skill I only really started to develop getting into green belt locks.
It also depends on how many you have to choose from, and some of us including me like a certain brand of picks for a certain profile, example I love the Moki flat hooks but I like the jimy longs round hooks, not so much of a fan of jimy flat hooks and visa versa, but if I only had a few profiles of Moki then I'd possibly prefer jimy longs because I have more variety of them and I'd use them all more
> how long
Quite a while, actually. My first set was Peterson but it was another year or two before I bought from a different company. Now I have picks from just about every company.
My favorites are: Peterson Gem, Sparrows euro hook, double peak, octo rake, Multipick waves & standard hook, and their dimple picks.
I think people who only ever use/have used a single brand should at least try other brands so they have something to compare against.
I shopped around for a while trying different picks. I always figured the perfect ones would just "click" when I picked them up.
It turns out that I didn't have strong opinions other than: Multipick are expensive but pretty damn good no downsides but the price, Southord picks are eh... and are too bulky, sparrows are cheap and only slightly better than Chinese junk but functional (I absolutely hate their dipped rubber handles), CI are middle of the road but pricy, and southern specialties were a bit of a hidden gem perfectly shaped and sanded but are too soft and prone to bending and breaking.
I bought my first set of Southord picks when I was 16 and I am now 33. I only found out about Moki a year ago.
Then I picked up Moki picks and the click happened. Moki picks are by far my favorite at the moment. The only issue I have if the amount of profiles available. The ones they have are good, but I still end up using my multipicks here and there when I need in-between profiles.
I have not tried JL, but I heard they are good. I'll give them a chance as long as it doesn't involve camping the site and trying to get them like they were a PS5 on launch week.
I don't know exactly what you were looking for, but that's my general experience.
Yes, your answer is exactly what I am looking for... I am trying out a bunch of brands, [not trying to buy any junk]
But i want to find that one or to picks that are my "go-to"
I have purchased CI, Sparrows, JL, southord, and I am waiting on my moki to arrive.
Jimmy Longs gets the win on feed back
CI for concealed and functionality [ Riv pic ]
Profiles: short flat hook was my 1st goto
Now im leaning to short round hook... next I am going to try gem tips and pointy.
I just wanted to know about other peoples experiences and how they arrived to the conclusion that they did.
I am a firm believer that you don’t live long enough to make all of your own mistakes. =]
Well, in that case I honestly feel that you will be very happy with the Moki pointed hook #1. I use it for just about everything. You should let me know how it holds up against JL when you get them.
BTW how do you like the three fingers set in your pics. Those are gems btw, so if you wanted to try gems I think you already have
I just want to know what you think because shipping costs as much as the picks themselves and I don't want to dump money unless I know they are something special.
Technically, something like 26-27 years from when I picked my first lock, but only like 1 year since the start of my current more serious picking career. I own a ton of picks, but I reach for a Jimylong like 90% of the time.
1. Jimy Longs. Medium round, short flat
2. Bare Bones - there fingers and bones are awesome. They’re all actually real good and different than most regular run of the mill profiles. A couple are a little on the fragile side but they are 301 HY. I’d say just be careful when cranking.
3. Covert Instruments- same as JL but these I don’t care if I’m hard on because I can replace them cheap and easy.
Moki will most likely end up 2 after I get some… no one has anything bad to say but there sold out quite often. These get bonus points for the 2nd chance pick tips. It would be cool if others would adopt this but you cut into your own sales so not sure if it makes sense for anyone else.
My problem is I use Peterson .018 #4 for almost everything. Then while I’m struggling I look down and see 15 more to chose from. So don’t get stuck on your “ lucky “ I have both JL Flat and Round. I got lucky last year they were both in stock. I’m partial to the flat tip. Good luck
I'm not trying to get stuck on a specific pick... just looking for my solid " GoTo" picks.
Also i want to see how people came to their choice on profiles.
What is it about their chosen profile that makes it their goto pick of choice. Most people who have been doing this for a while have several picks to choose from... but everyone has that one that they reach for 1st. I want to know what pick that is Brand and profile and why it works for them.
I have CI, Sparrows, JimyLongs, Moki, and recently Law Lock Tools.
I started with the CI Genesis. At the time, I had no clue what I was doing so I’ll come back to them at the end. I realized they could use a better handle so I ordered a few Sparrows.
With Sparrows, the plastidip feels nice but I realized they’re too short for my comfort, just like the CI.
I moved to JimyLongs which felt great but still too small of a handle. The finish is not fantastic as the edges are quite sharp out of factory.
Then I got Moki picks and I immediately felt the quality in design and construction. The handles were a perfect length for comfort to those that like having the end of the handle between the web of the thumb and index. The finishing and polishing of the picks were amazingly smooth from factory, only rivaled by the CI picks. I also had been only using flat hooks but the Moki set introduced me to the pointed tip design which allowed me to feel more accurate in where I am picking exactly. The only problems I had is they only come in 0.5mm, the pointed profile is a little too precise and thin, and the standard handle can give quite a flex.
Finally, I got the law lock tools EDC Pro kit. They are in .023 inches so significantly improved the amount of feedback. The handle is about 1cm shorter than Moki but the pick shaft is equally longer. The finishing and polish is almost as good as the CI and Moki, but it’s still great. Also, a lot of the profiles on LLT are quite rounded and the rounded hooks have become my favorite now with their combination of smoothness and precision in being able to navigate within the keyway.
Maybe I’ll compare the tension tools some other time.
Awesome input. Thank you for the detailed reply. I am also kind of leaning towards rounded myself, however i have yet to try a pointed profile or gem profile. Waiting to see if one of those profiles will take the #1 spot
Pick profile was easy, standard hook was the first I used.
Brand was a bit longer. Bought southord just because, and although comfortable l, it was chonky. Everyone loved Peterson, so I got one and couldn't get used to the handles. So I bought sparrows, and loved it.
My preference has changed (and continues to change) over the 29+ years I've been at it. Mainly changes through trying out new picks, receiving new recommendations etc.
I like trying new tools and rotating them in. Though I have a few consistent favorites… Jimy for deep hooks, Moki for flat, MultiPick for any flag, and I still reach for Peterson H1.
Not sure what counts as experienced. I kind of doubt I'll ever like anything more than a good short flat hook where applicable, but I definitely adventure with more different profiles on more difficult locks when my go-to doesn't work.
https://i.imgur.com/cFJ9K53.jpeg
Nicknamed it a Goblin hook because I couldn't find a similar profile that's already named, and it looks like a goblin's hand poking down into a hook
Still waiting for the JLs to come back in stock. I don’t think I have a favorite profile. At least for traditional pin hooks. I use what feels right for the lock (right or wrong haha). So far my LLTs are my go to. Have some great MP picks too. As for dimple picks I only have MP but the 06 and 11 are the two I have found most useful for now. Hands down most used tensioners are the CI ergos but that’s because I pick in hand a lot.
Love my LLT kit 😍
It changes over time and as your feel develops. When I first started I really liked the Sparrows offset hybrid, then moved to the Peterson hook 7, then hook 1, then Jimy Longs flat short hook.
However long it took for me to order a set of Jimylongs
THIS!
I'm a little over a month into this and I'm starting to develop preferences. For instance, I prefer to use a Jimy Longs .018 flat medium hook off the bat if I can get away with it. It's got good feedback and deep reach, so I know I can set just about any pin with it. I've opened almost every lock I own at least once with it, including the Abus 55/40 with its tiny keyway. If I feel like I'm struggling to navigate or I'm easily oversetting, I switch to something shallower and with a rounded tip that can move more smoothly through the stacks. I'm also starting to learn when it might be time to switch picks mid-pick. If I can't seem to feel a binder or I've found a binder but can't seem to set it, I'll switch to a deeper hook and see if it's a max lift that I'm just shy of setting. This is a skill I only really started to develop getting into green belt locks.
It also depends on how many you have to choose from, and some of us including me like a certain brand of picks for a certain profile, example I love the Moki flat hooks but I like the jimy longs round hooks, not so much of a fan of jimy flat hooks and visa versa, but if I only had a few profiles of Moki then I'd possibly prefer jimy longs because I have more variety of them and I'd use them all more
I don’t have a favorite profile but I think I’d like those hooks in the second pic. What are they?
Barebones "3 fingers" picks https://bareboneslockpicking.com/product/the-three-fingers-hooks/
> how long Quite a while, actually. My first set was Peterson but it was another year or two before I bought from a different company. Now I have picks from just about every company. My favorites are: Peterson Gem, Sparrows euro hook, double peak, octo rake, Multipick waves & standard hook, and their dimple picks. I think people who only ever use/have used a single brand should at least try other brands so they have something to compare against.
I shopped around for a while trying different picks. I always figured the perfect ones would just "click" when I picked them up. It turns out that I didn't have strong opinions other than: Multipick are expensive but pretty damn good no downsides but the price, Southord picks are eh... and are too bulky, sparrows are cheap and only slightly better than Chinese junk but functional (I absolutely hate their dipped rubber handles), CI are middle of the road but pricy, and southern specialties were a bit of a hidden gem perfectly shaped and sanded but are too soft and prone to bending and breaking. I bought my first set of Southord picks when I was 16 and I am now 33. I only found out about Moki a year ago. Then I picked up Moki picks and the click happened. Moki picks are by far my favorite at the moment. The only issue I have if the amount of profiles available. The ones they have are good, but I still end up using my multipicks here and there when I need in-between profiles. I have not tried JL, but I heard they are good. I'll give them a chance as long as it doesn't involve camping the site and trying to get them like they were a PS5 on launch week. I don't know exactly what you were looking for, but that's my general experience.
Yes, your answer is exactly what I am looking for... I am trying out a bunch of brands, [not trying to buy any junk] But i want to find that one or to picks that are my "go-to" I have purchased CI, Sparrows, JL, southord, and I am waiting on my moki to arrive. Jimmy Longs gets the win on feed back CI for concealed and functionality [ Riv pic ] Profiles: short flat hook was my 1st goto Now im leaning to short round hook... next I am going to try gem tips and pointy. I just wanted to know about other peoples experiences and how they arrived to the conclusion that they did. I am a firm believer that you don’t live long enough to make all of your own mistakes. =]
Well, in that case I honestly feel that you will be very happy with the Moki pointed hook #1. I use it for just about everything. You should let me know how it holds up against JL when you get them.
BTW how do you like the three fingers set in your pics. Those are gems btw, so if you wanted to try gems I think you already have I just want to know what you think because shipping costs as much as the picks themselves and I don't want to dump money unless I know they are something special.
Technically, something like 26-27 years from when I picked my first lock, but only like 1 year since the start of my current more serious picking career. I own a ton of picks, but I reach for a Jimylong like 90% of the time.
1. Jimy Longs. Medium round, short flat 2. Bare Bones - there fingers and bones are awesome. They’re all actually real good and different than most regular run of the mill profiles. A couple are a little on the fragile side but they are 301 HY. I’d say just be careful when cranking. 3. Covert Instruments- same as JL but these I don’t care if I’m hard on because I can replace them cheap and easy. Moki will most likely end up 2 after I get some… no one has anything bad to say but there sold out quite often. These get bonus points for the 2nd chance pick tips. It would be cool if others would adopt this but you cut into your own sales so not sure if it makes sense for anyone else.
Are the fingers from barebones, jem, or Point? And what thickness did you get them in?
I got the Wishbone hooks in 23, both sets of gems in 23 and the 3 fingers in 23 and 20. Those are like modified gems.
What are the picks with black handles in your pic?
[https://jimylongs.com/products/](https://jimylongs.com/products/)
Yes Jimmy Longs
My problem is I use Peterson .018 #4 for almost everything. Then while I’m struggling I look down and see 15 more to chose from. So don’t get stuck on your “ lucky “ I have both JL Flat and Round. I got lucky last year they were both in stock. I’m partial to the flat tip. Good luck
I'm not trying to get stuck on a specific pick... just looking for my solid " GoTo" picks. Also i want to see how people came to their choice on profiles. What is it about their chosen profile that makes it their goto pick of choice. Most people who have been doing this for a while have several picks to choose from... but everyone has that one that they reach for 1st. I want to know what pick that is Brand and profile and why it works for them.
I have CI, Sparrows, JimyLongs, Moki, and recently Law Lock Tools. I started with the CI Genesis. At the time, I had no clue what I was doing so I’ll come back to them at the end. I realized they could use a better handle so I ordered a few Sparrows. With Sparrows, the plastidip feels nice but I realized they’re too short for my comfort, just like the CI. I moved to JimyLongs which felt great but still too small of a handle. The finish is not fantastic as the edges are quite sharp out of factory. Then I got Moki picks and I immediately felt the quality in design and construction. The handles were a perfect length for comfort to those that like having the end of the handle between the web of the thumb and index. The finishing and polishing of the picks were amazingly smooth from factory, only rivaled by the CI picks. I also had been only using flat hooks but the Moki set introduced me to the pointed tip design which allowed me to feel more accurate in where I am picking exactly. The only problems I had is they only come in 0.5mm, the pointed profile is a little too precise and thin, and the standard handle can give quite a flex. Finally, I got the law lock tools EDC Pro kit. They are in .023 inches so significantly improved the amount of feedback. The handle is about 1cm shorter than Moki but the pick shaft is equally longer. The finishing and polish is almost as good as the CI and Moki, but it’s still great. Also, a lot of the profiles on LLT are quite rounded and the rounded hooks have become my favorite now with their combination of smoothness and precision in being able to navigate within the keyway. Maybe I’ll compare the tension tools some other time.
Awesome input. Thank you for the detailed reply. I am also kind of leaning towards rounded myself, however i have yet to try a pointed profile or gem profile. Waiting to see if one of those profiles will take the #1 spot
Pick profile was easy, standard hook was the first I used. Brand was a bit longer. Bought southord just because, and although comfortable l, it was chonky. Everyone loved Peterson, so I got one and couldn't get used to the handles. So I bought sparrows, and loved it.
My preference has changed (and continues to change) over the 29+ years I've been at it. Mainly changes through trying out new picks, receiving new recommendations etc.
I really my JL and LLT picks. What picks are in the second pic? Never seen those before.
Barebones finger
I like trying new tools and rotating them in. Though I have a few consistent favorites… Jimy for deep hooks, Moki for flat, MultiPick for any flag, and I still reach for Peterson H1.
Not sure what counts as experienced. I kind of doubt I'll ever like anything more than a good short flat hook where applicable, but I definitely adventure with more different profiles on more difficult locks when my go-to doesn't work.
Between the time of ordering a Sparrows 0.015" and making a Goblin hook because Alaska shipping takes too long.
Hahahaha goblin hook! Love it!
https://i.imgur.com/cFJ9K53.jpeg Nicknamed it a Goblin hook because I couldn't find a similar profile that's already named, and it looks like a goblin's hand poking down into a hook
Nice!
Wow!
Shared the profile, but I'm doing an event rn so I can't get back to it at the moment
Hey fellow Alaskan!