I liked how you presented your review. Very nicely done, you laid things out and explained the history behind everything which I really appreciate. I do wish I had watched this video a week or two ago, I received my bundle just this afternoon, I could have saved a few dollars... Keep up the fine work.
dont regret buying the bundle, the lock was made in california apparently by pacific lock aka pac lock, which is a really great manufacturer, i didnt know it at the time of this review. its a good lock. thanks for watching!
I just got the ~$80 (on sale) "Learn Lockpicking" set as a brand new entry level picker, and it's been fantastic in teaching me how to pick. I started 4 days ago, with 2 pins, and now I'm up to 5. (No security drivers yet.) I'm learning the finesse and feel of how much tension to use, when to use round or flat pick, and how not to over-set. Once I can pick the lock in 2 minutes consecutively, I add another pin. Once I finish 6, I'll shuffle the key pin lengths, and once I'm through that, I'll start adding in security pins and learn how those feel. So, yeah, it was expensive. But it's been a fantastic experience so far.
This is the set that I started with when I got into locksport. They didn't have everything engraved and it didn't come with the case at the time. It's nice to see those quality of life improvements to the set, and I think it adds a good bit of value. I got the case later on and it's pretty nice. You can also fold it up to be a little desk stand for your picks. I believe the picks are made by Southern Specialties, so if you want to expand your tool set, check out the laminated plain handle picks. The prices are similar. I remember LPL mentioned that he partnered with PacLock for the practice lock.
All good info thanks! If you check out my description, I mention that southern specialties only produced picks in the first 2 years of development. They no longer make picks for CI.
I agree with almost everything you say. My one disagreement is on the repinnable mortise cylinder. It is better quality than most of the ones I have seen and is made by Paclock in Valencia, CA.
I didn’t know that! Thank you, I’ll be sure to do a follow up next week to fix that. I didn’t know Pac Lock made mortise cylinders. I love Pac Lock, I have a big order coming from them soon. Thanks again!
Hey sandman! See you on the reddit all the time but first time catching one of your videos. Nice presentation, couldn't agree more with your review of the genesis set. I have changed what I carry in my trade craft case but the case itself was worth what I paid for the set. Keep up the good work buddy!
It’s legit one of my favorite sets, I buy it as a gift for friends and new pickers all the time. It’s the most complete set for under $50 in my opinion. But I will continue to review more.
I'm just now getting into locksport. It's basically a new hoppy as I'm working on breaking free of an addiction. Between you, LPL, BosninBill and Lady Locks, I'm keeping myself busy. I just wanted to say I appreciate your videos and as we both live in the same state, maybe I'll see you at a meetup and thank you in person.
My Opinion on this has changed quite a bit over the following months, it is a much better set than I ever imagined it to be. And now that they have an intermediate pickset, that is an expansion of this one, it definitely makes it the best set on the market, hands-down for the money and quality and design. You won’t find a better set for under $30. Not at the quality. It’s also made of 301 High Yield stainless steel, which is the strongest pick steel currently on the market. I didn’t know that when I made that video.
As I’m watching you play with the case i grabbed mine and realized u can fold it backwards and it’ll act as a little stand also… not sure if thats by design but I’m claiming discovery rights if its not!!! Lol
Ha! well i will give you credit for that, but someone on reddit already corrected me on that so they beat you to it, but your right, and I think this is an excellent case and pick set.
I picked on up last week and love it, especially the handles thickness as I'm handicapped and they're easy to hold. I had to use a sparrow wrench recently as the genesis wouldn't fit the brinks lock I just picked. Also got the Echelon but the handles are thinner but still a great set.
I Got the genesis bundle set beginning of July. FNG is on the way. Next purchase will probably be the locksport trainer. I think im addicted to this hobby.
Hey Sandman, after watching your review I ordered the CI Genesis. I like it, I just wish the pick handels were a bit longer. I have a hand injury that makes my picking approach different from most. Thanks for another solid video.
Thanks for watching and taking my recommendation! I'm the same way, I have XL hands and they cramp if I use tools that are too small. Your next purchase should 100% be Jimy Longs! Those CI are amazing, and they are 301 High Yield, making them Tier 1. But they are .023" thick, so if you want to build your set up, consider the Jimy Longs picks in .019" and the handles are some of the biggest in class. They are 301 High Yield as well. Thanks for watching!
I am definitely considering getting the genesis set. I have the covert companion too, and I noticed tonight that when I tried to use the wafer bypass tools they didn’t work. They weren’t wide enough to hit both actuators to open the lock.
@@robertl.grayjr.nremt-p994 unfortunately I don’t know dick about bypassing padlocks. I’ve spent the last 15 years learning to pick them. A lock pick is a universal bypass tool. It works on all locks if you practice enough. Good luck though.
Thanks. but I never had an interest in them, they are only used for vending machines and bicycle locks. they were popular in 70s and 80s when they first came out. now you can open them with a bic pen. thanks for watching!
Wizwazzle for the 1st to put a bend in the tension tool I’ll hazard a guess at madbobs being the 1st to manufacture them, If you can hold off on a review for bent tension tools till end of August that would be good as I know of another set being available that may be of interest to you
You offer some of the best tools. I just dropped $400 on your site this week! It is tempting to wait though! I will definitely be doing a follow up to anything I put out, and any corrections to any products I review so if I ever get anything wrong don’t hesitate to let me know.
@@sandman_locksport I thought it was you & I popped a free gift In for your order 😀 No need to do a review of the just hooks pick set Lol I put that together 5 years ago & I have a much better set planned for early next year. I think you will really like the Moki picks I’ll be surprised if they are not in your top 3 pick sets I’ll keep an eye out for your review on those
@@uklockpickers I have zero doubt in my mind that all the picks I ordered from your site will be top notch and best on the market. Your site has the best reputation in the UK, and I look forward to exposing my American audience to your collection of high quality goods! thanks for watching! I'll be sure to mention any upcoming products if I do any reviews of your current products. Always gets people excited.
The shapes are top notch, but the metal is too soft for my taste. They can be easily bent side to side. This is not a problem for the rakes, but hooks should be very strong all around.
this year's product is made of 301 High Yield which is the strongest metal available to pick makers. They have been producing this in house with this steel for the last year. The first two years they were producing their picks from southern specialties with a pick steel closer to 301 full hard which was half the tensile strength compared to today. So if you don't like the picks based on strength, then they are the older version. This newer version is the strongest on the market and is the same steel that jimy longs, law lock tools use. Consider trying this new set.
start out with real locks every time. the cylinder you can buy with this set is a very good one. i was incorrect in my assessment of it, it is not a GMS cylinder, it is actually made by Pac Lock and manufactured in California. Its the perfect lock the start with, and the SC1 keyway is the most common in North America. you can buy master lock padlocks at any walmart or hardware store to complete your beginner set. you wont regret this purchase. It is a great starting point. Good luck and hit me up if you have any questions.
Unfortunately they do not. You would need to find a soft bifold or soft trifold case for the ergo tension wrenches. The genesis pick case was probably meant for in pocket carry.
@@sandman_locksport Great! I heard some people on the lock picking reddit saying that it was not stainless, but made of spring steel. It got me worried that my tools would fade away in water!
@@thegreatchaos13 2 years ago, they were made of 301 full hard stainless, and now for the last 2 years they are made of 301 high yield stainless which is twice as strong and is the strongest on the market for pick steels. They were never made in 1095 high carbon, which is corrosive. People on Reddit just prefer other brands and will say whatever they think is clever but it’s ultimately incorrect. This is the best set of tools you can buy for under $30.
sure it. sold by Stewmac. I have every stewmac handtool there is. im a trained luthier. thats why i make these reviews. i want people to understand its ok to collect tool and buy high end proprietary tools. you dont have to just own one lockpick set for life. you can buy and collect ALL of them. and still not even come close to the costs i have spent on traditional hand tools and luthier tools and joinery tools lol. people will never know until they do. its a $70 caliper, but my $200 Starrett is much better, just not as easy to read on camera. good eye! thanks for watching!
@@sandman_locksport i have my small collection of stewmac gear. i need them to keep my wall of guitars and basses healthy. my next project will be a fender reverb combo kit
I liked how you presented your review. Very nicely done, you laid things out and explained the history behind everything which I really appreciate.
I do wish I had watched this video a week or two ago, I received my bundle just this afternoon, I could have saved a few dollars...
Keep up the fine work.
dont regret buying the bundle, the lock was made in california apparently by pacific lock aka pac lock, which is a really great manufacturer, i didnt know it at the time of this review. its a good lock. thanks for watching!
I just got the ~$80 (on sale) "Learn Lockpicking" set as a brand new entry level picker, and it's been fantastic in teaching me how to pick.
I started 4 days ago, with 2 pins, and now I'm up to 5. (No security drivers yet.) I'm learning the finesse and feel of how much tension to use, when to use round or flat pick, and how not to over-set.
Once I can pick the lock in 2 minutes consecutively, I add another pin. Once I finish 6, I'll shuffle the key pin lengths, and once I'm through that, I'll start adding in security pins and learn how those feel.
So, yeah, it was expensive. But it's been a fantastic experience so far.
This is the set that I started with when I got into locksport. They didn't have everything engraved and it didn't come with the case at the time. It's nice to see those quality of life improvements to the set, and I think it adds a good bit of value. I got the case later on and it's pretty nice. You can also fold it up to be a little desk stand for your picks.
I believe the picks are made by Southern Specialties, so if you want to expand your tool set, check out the laminated plain handle picks. The prices are similar. I remember LPL mentioned that he partnered with PacLock for the practice lock.
All good info thanks! If you check out my description, I mention that southern specialties only produced picks in the first 2 years of development. They no longer make picks for CI.
just ordered one excited and ty for the review!
You can’t go wrong with covert instruments 🥷
I agree with almost everything you say. My one disagreement is on the repinnable mortise cylinder. It is better quality than most of the ones I have seen and is made by Paclock in Valencia, CA.
I didn’t know that! Thank you, I’ll be sure to do a follow up next week to fix that. I didn’t know Pac Lock made mortise cylinders. I love Pac Lock, I have a big order coming from them soon. Thanks again!
Hey sandman! See you on the reddit all the time but first time catching one of your videos. Nice presentation, couldn't agree more with your review of the genesis set. I have changed what I carry in my trade craft case but the case itself was worth what I paid for the set. Keep up the good work buddy!
Just got the sparrows creeper set after your recommendation in the description. Super stoked. Thanks!!
It’s legit one of my favorite sets, I buy it as a gift for friends and new pickers all the time. It’s the most complete set for under $50 in my opinion. But I will continue to review more.
@@sandman_locksport it definitely looks like a decent starting set, which works out for me.
I got this for my content creation very happy with it
Completely agree with the CI tension tools; so far, they've been my favorites, especially the BOK types. Haven't tried Multipick yet though.
The multipick are even better if you can imagine that! Thanks for watching
I'm just now getting into locksport. It's basically a new hoppy as I'm working on breaking free of an addiction. Between you, LPL, BosninBill and Lady Locks, I'm keeping myself busy. I just wanted to say I appreciate your videos and as we both live in the same state, maybe I'll see you at a meetup and thank you in person.
Definitely! And welcome to your newest positive addiction.
That is a great starter set, I’m interested..
My Opinion on this has changed quite a bit over the following months, it is a much better set than I ever imagined it to be. And now that they have an intermediate pickset, that is an expansion of this one, it definitely makes it the best set on the market, hands-down for the money and quality and design. You won’t find a better set for under $30. Not at the quality. It’s also made of 301 High Yield stainless steel, which is the strongest pick steel currently on the market. I didn’t know that when I made that video.
@@sandman_locksport I appreciate the reply..
As I’m watching you play with the case i grabbed mine and realized u can fold it backwards and it’ll act as a little stand also… not sure if thats by design but I’m claiming discovery rights if its not!!! Lol
Ha! well i will give you credit for that, but someone on reddit already corrected me on that so they beat you to it, but your right, and I think this is an excellent case and pick set.
I picked on up last week and love it, especially the handles thickness as I'm handicapped and they're easy to hold. I had to use a sparrow wrench recently as the genesis wouldn't fit the brinks lock I just picked. Also got the Echelon but the handles are thinner but still a great set.
I Got the genesis bundle set beginning of July. FNG is on the way. Next purchase will probably be the locksport trainer. I think im addicted to this hobby.
Be sure to get all of their tension wrenches too. Top of Keyway is a game changer.
Put wire shrink wrap on the handles to make them more comfortable
Thats what i did to my FNG kit.
Hey Sandman, after watching your review I ordered the CI Genesis. I like it, I just wish the pick handels were a bit longer. I have a hand injury that makes my picking approach different from most.
Thanks for another solid video.
Thanks for watching and taking my recommendation! I'm the same way, I have XL hands and they cramp if I use tools that are too small. Your next purchase should 100% be Jimy Longs! Those CI are amazing, and they are 301 High Yield, making them Tier 1. But they are .023" thick, so if you want to build your set up, consider the Jimy Longs picks in .019" and the handles are some of the biggest in class. They are 301 High Yield as well. Thanks for watching!
I am definitely considering getting the genesis set. I have the covert companion too, and I noticed tonight that when I tried to use the wafer bypass tools they didn’t work. They weren’t wide enough to hit both actuators to open the lock.
Probably referred incorrectly to the lock, the one I am practicing on is a Masterlock No. 500k series.
@@robertl.grayjr.nremt-p994 unfortunately I don’t know dick about bypassing padlocks. I’ve spent the last 15 years learning to pick them. A lock pick is a universal bypass tool. It works on all locks if you practice enough. Good luck though.
Nice review....
thanks for watching!
Appreciate this a lot!!
I appreciate you a lot! thanks for watching!
FYI. Deviant has a whole video on tubular locks. It’s a good watch.
Thanks. but I never had an interest in them, they are only used for vending machines and bicycle locks. they were popular in 70s and 80s when they first came out. now you can open them with a bic pen. thanks for watching!
Personally I love the case and think it’s so worth it just for the quality of life
I agree!
Wizwazzle for the 1st to put a bend in the tension tool
I’ll hazard a guess at madbobs being the 1st to manufacture them,
If you can hold off on a review for bent tension tools till end of August that would be good as I know of another set being available that may be of interest to you
You offer some of the best tools. I just dropped $400 on your site this week! It is tempting to wait though! I will definitely be doing a follow up to anything I put out, and any corrections to any products I review so if I ever get anything wrong don’t hesitate to let me know.
@@sandman_locksport I thought it was you & I popped a free gift In for your order 😀
No need to do a review of the just hooks pick set Lol I put that together 5 years ago & I have a much better set planned for early next year.
I think you will really like the Moki picks I’ll be surprised if they are not in your top 3 pick sets
I’ll keep an eye out for your review on those
@@uklockpickers I have zero doubt in my mind that all the picks I ordered from your site will be top notch and best on the market. Your site has the best reputation in the UK, and I look forward to exposing my American audience to your collection of high quality goods! thanks for watching! I'll be sure to mention any upcoming products if I do any reviews of your current products. Always gets people excited.
I picked an 1100 with this set. The picks barely fit but I made it work
You picked it and that’s all that matters! Time to upgrade to a thinner pick set for harder locks!
@@sandman_locksport I actually just ordered jimylongs in .023 and .019 for that reason
@@dagger_4d you wont regret that purchase! I cant wait to buy more jimy longs picks!
@@sandman_locksport I got the rounds, though I’m not sure if I will like them or not
@@dagger_4dhow were they?
You seem obsessed with magnets 🧲
I am! buy me some!
What is the third CI sale (since the other two are on July 4 and Black Friday)? Hopefully a Christmas sale?
Veteran's Day and Christmas, their Christmas sale is right now!
The shapes are top notch, but the metal is too soft for my taste. They can be easily bent side to side.
This is not a problem for the rakes, but hooks should be very strong all around.
this year's product is made of 301 High Yield which is the strongest metal available to pick makers. They have been producing this in house with this steel for the last year. The first two years they were producing their picks from southern specialties with a pick steel closer to 301 full hard which was half the tensile strength compared to today. So if you don't like the picks based on strength, then they are the older version. This newer version is the strongest on the market and is the same steel that jimy longs, law lock tools use. Consider trying this new set.
I’m getting this as my first lock picking set and I was wondering if I should also get a clear lock with it or if I should start out with real locks.
start out with real locks every time. the cylinder you can buy with this set is a very good one. i was incorrect in my assessment of it, it is not a GMS cylinder, it is actually made by Pac Lock and manufactured in California. Its the perfect lock the start with, and the SC1 keyway is the most common in North America. you can buy master lock padlocks at any walmart or hardware store to complete your beginner set. you wont regret this purchase. It is a great starting point. Good luck and hit me up if you have any questions.
Ok thanks
Would you happen to know if CI round patch such as the aztec one fit on this case ?
mine hasn't came yet
its been 2 weeks ish
is there a shortage or something?
That’s a good question. Have you tried contacting them? They have really good Customer Service. Try contacting them.
Do the ergo turning tools fit in the case?
Unfortunately they do not. You would need to find a soft bifold or soft trifold case for the ergo tension wrenches. The genesis pick case was probably meant for in pocket carry.
If I already have the Fng is it a good upgrade(I also have the jimylongs intermediate
I would spend any money on adding more Jimy longs, especially the .015” when they become available
Does anyone know if picks and tensioners these will corrode? Do they rust?
The do not. They are a stainless steel
@@sandman_locksport Great! I heard some people on the lock picking reddit saying that it was not stainless, but made of spring steel. It got me worried that my tools would fade away in water!
@@thegreatchaos13 2 years ago, they were made of 301 full hard stainless, and now for the last 2 years they are made of 301 high yield stainless which is twice as strong and is the strongest on the market for pick steels. They were never made in 1095 high carbon, which is corrosive. People on Reddit just prefer other brands and will say whatever they think is clever but it’s ultimately incorrect. This is the best set of tools you can buy for under $30.
is that a luthier’s caliper? i’ve got one on my toolbox lol
sure it. sold by Stewmac. I have every stewmac handtool there is. im a trained luthier. thats why i make these reviews. i want people to understand its ok to collect tool and buy high end proprietary tools. you dont have to just own one lockpick set for life. you can buy and collect ALL of them. and still not even come close to the costs i have spent on traditional hand tools and luthier tools and joinery tools lol. people will never know until they do. its a $70 caliper, but my $200 Starrett is much better, just not as easy to read on camera. good eye! thanks for watching!
@@sandman_locksport i have my small collection of stewmac gear. i need them to keep my wall of guitars and basses healthy. my next project will be a fender reverb combo kit