Oof, that's rough. R.I.P. to your pick 😞. One of the hardest learning curves in lock picking is figuring out the correct tension for each lock. Most rakes are meant to be used as a kinetic attack. A quick in and out motion. That usually requires a lot less tension than if you were single pin picking. You never want to feel like you're forcing the rake in or out. The Echelon set is great, but it is an expansion of the genesis. So you'll be a rake short, but you can pick up a replacement in the chop shop. And like GrouchyLenny said, it is in a thinner steel. Good for narrower keyways but easier to bend. You might want to look at the reaper set as well!
Dont be discouraged it happens and especially to rakes when you new amd heavy handed and also be careful on some brinks padlocks they will get stuck! If you can get some Jimy Longs i would totally go that route! But like you said start super light tension when raking and light raking also. I love me some raking its fun.
Definitely hold on to that broken rake though, in case you ever want to go down the Shacklemen rabbit hole and start picking handcuffs... Looks like it might be useful for that.
Sorry you had a pick break. I have the Eschelon set and it’s pretty nice, it is .020 so you’ll have to go easier on it but it’s great for the locks that need a thinner pick and more finesse. The Genesis kit has the same components as the FNG but with two more Z tension tools and another rake and hook in .025. Jimy Longs also has a nice $20 set that’s like the Genesis but with really nice handles and in .019 so very useful as you are moving into the green-blue belts and higher.
Yea it seems the thinner pick is a requirement for sure! I picked up an American 1100 to test my skill and the .025 short hook just barely fits in the keyway and rubs way too much which has been throwing me off. Appreciate your input, I'll have to check out Jimmy Longs too.
@ just on m in Jimy Longs. Most of his stuff is sold out but his equivalent of the FNG and the Genesis are in stock and they are fantastic quality and customer support is great! I’m working on American 1100s for my green belt now and the .020/.019 is much better for those!
(Playing Taps in Background) That hurts! I would recommend either Law Lock Tools or Multipick. Law Lock Tools are one of my favorites, especially the PRO series. Southern Specialties isn't bad as well, but the one thing I don't like about them is that they use 301 Full Hard rather than 301 High Yield. Full hard isn't as strong/good as High Yield so if you're bending the 301 High Yield from Covert Instruments, you'll definitely bend the 301 Full Hard from Southern Specialties. The Echelon set is really nice, but they are 0.020" thick picks, so they are a bit thinner than the picks from the FNG or Genesis sets, so you'll want to watch the amount of torque you use on them.
Thanks for your suggestions. I've got the echelon set in and you can definitely feel the difference compared to the .025 that I was used to. Taking some gentle adjustments so I don't repeat snap or bend with them.
Yea I was looking at the multipick 13 piece set but ordered the CI echelon set to get something thinner. Struggling with the .025 short hook and fitting into the 1100s that I've been unsuccessful with so far..
Oof, that's rough. R.I.P. to your pick 😞. One of the hardest learning curves in lock picking is figuring out the correct tension for each lock. Most rakes are meant to be used as a kinetic attack. A quick in and out motion. That usually requires a lot less tension than if you were single pin picking. You never want to feel like you're forcing the rake in or out. The Echelon set is great, but it is an expansion of the genesis. So you'll be a rake short, but you can pick up a replacement in the chop shop. And like GrouchyLenny said, it is in a thinner steel. Good for narrower keyways but easier to bend. You might want to look at the reaper set as well!
Dont be discouraged it happens and especially to rakes when you new amd heavy handed and also be careful on some brinks padlocks they will get stuck! If you can get some Jimy Longs i would totally go that route! But like you said start super light tension when raking and light raking also. I love me some raking its fun.
Definitely hold on to that broken rake though, in case you ever want to go down the Shacklemen rabbit hole and start picking handcuffs... Looks like it might be useful for that.
Bummer on the pick break! But.. keep it! re-form the end and have a tool for tubular lock picking!!
That's a great idea, thanks!
Sorry you had a pick break. I have the Eschelon set and it’s pretty nice, it is .020 so you’ll have to go easier on it but it’s great for the locks that need a thinner pick and more finesse. The Genesis kit has the same components as the FNG but with two more Z tension tools and another rake and hook in .025. Jimy Longs also has a nice $20 set that’s like the Genesis but with really nice handles and in .019 so very useful as you are moving into the green-blue belts and higher.
Yea it seems the thinner pick is a requirement for sure! I picked up an American 1100 to test my skill and the .025 short hook just barely fits in the keyway and rubs way too much which has been throwing me off. Appreciate your input, I'll have to check out Jimmy Longs too.
@ just on m in Jimy Longs. Most of his stuff is sold out but his equivalent of the FNG and the Genesis are in stock and they are fantastic quality and customer support is great! I’m working on American 1100s for my green belt now and the .020/.019 is much better for those!
(Playing Taps in Background) That hurts! I would recommend either Law Lock Tools or Multipick. Law Lock Tools are one of my favorites, especially the PRO series. Southern Specialties isn't bad as well, but the one thing I don't like about them is that they use 301 Full Hard rather than 301 High Yield. Full hard isn't as strong/good as High Yield so if you're bending the 301 High Yield from Covert Instruments, you'll definitely bend the 301 Full Hard from Southern Specialties.
The Echelon set is really nice, but they are 0.020" thick picks, so they are a bit thinner than the picks from the FNG or Genesis sets, so you'll want to watch the amount of torque you use on them.
Thanks for your suggestions. I've got the echelon set in and you can definitely feel the difference compared to the .025 that I was used to. Taking some gentle adjustments so I don't repeat snap or bend with them.
If its in your budget multi pick are great, and people love moki picks i have one and its very strong.
Yea I was looking at the multipick 13 piece set but ordered the CI echelon set to get something thinner. Struggling with the .025 short hook and fitting into the 1100s that I've been unsuccessful with so far..
@jwowvsworld should be able to use a .018 or .019 pick on the 1100 and have plenty of strength if using a 301 high yield steel
@jwowvsworld I have a ton of CI stuff I bought at first and hardly use it now that I found jimy longs