We are often asked by customers for advice on choosing a lock pick set. We make twenty-five different lock pick sets, spanning across five different categories, so we understand choosing a set could be a challenge. Here, we break down our different lock pick set series, to make the choice easier for you!
Our Standard Lock Pick Sets are designed to fit the keyways of locks here in the U.S., though they are still popular among our customers throughout the world, including in Europe. They are our most popular series of lock picks chosen by U.S. customers. The Standard series is popular among beginners as well. Even though they are not “beginner” lock picks, their slightly wider shaft profiles and their .025” thick steel, make the picks a bit more rigid-feeling when picking, and a bit more forgiving to beginners’ heavy-handedness.
Standard Lock Picks in the MPXS-32 Lock Pick Set
Among the Standard Lock Pick Sets, there are sets with traditional lock picks only – picks without any handle affixed to them. These sets begin with product number PXS- and some of these PXS- sets include handles with the sets, for added comfort, like the PXS-14, which includes textured grips, or the PXS-17, which includes an interchangeable alloy handle.
There are also sets among our Standard Lock Pick Sets that feature our rivetless metal-handled lock picks. The sandwiched design of our metal-handled picks provide added comfort when picking for extended periods of time, while maintaining excellent feedback inside the lock. These sets begin with product number MPXS-, and the metal-handled picks pictured with the sets are the picks with our SouthOrd logo embedded in the handles.
Standard Lock Pick Sets: PXS-14, PXS-17 and MPXS-11, featuring textured grips, interchangeable metal handle and metal-handled picks.
Our Slimline Lock Pick Sets are designed to fit the more narrow keyways found throughout Europe, and found in some high-security locks here in the U.S. Their more narrow shaft profiles, and their thinner steel thickness of .022” allow for a better fit in narrow keyways. For this reason, they are a popular choice among our international customers, and among U.S. customers who prefer more thin, narrow lock picks to have more working room inside of the keyway.
All lock pick sets included in our Slimline series are assembled, at least in part, with our metal-handle lock picks (which, again, are the lock picks pictured with our SouthOrd logo embedded in the handles).
Slimline Sets, like this C1500, feature narrow profiles and thinner steel
Our MAX Lock Pick Set series are machined from high yield stainless steel, the strongest stainless from which we can manufacture lock picks, and they highly polished for an ultra-smooth picking experience, making them the Rolls Royce of our lock pick sets. They truly are a superb series of lock picking tools, and we recommend them for those looking for the finest quality in lock picks.
Our MAX Lock Pick series are available in two thicknesses: Our .025” MAX High Yield Lock Pick Sets are an excellent choice for those who prefer the rigidness that a thicker steel can offer. Our .020” MAX Ultra-Thin High Yield Lock Pick Sets are perfect for those looking for premium-quality, super-thin lock picks for more picking room in tight keyways.
The SouthOrd MAX series, like this M4000B Ultra-Thin .020" set, feature narrow profiles, two steel thickness options, and the finest craftsmenship
The last two lock pick set series make great supplemental sets-- For people who have already learned how to pick locks and are looking to progress or expand their tool kits.
Our Pocket Lock Pick Sets are designed for portability and convenience in mind. With their compact size, they fit easily into a shirt or pants pocket and are great sets to have on-hand. And their precision manufacturing from high-quality stainless steel and aluminum materials, ensures they are professional quality.
SouthOrd's classic JPXS-6 Jackknife Lock Pick Set and sleek NPS-2000 Pocket Pen Lock Pick Set
Our Pagoda Lock Pick Set is a great addition to traditional-style lock picks. The set is comprised of lift-rake style picks with multiple peak configurations, and includes an offset-diamond/deforest pick and a sharp-tipped hook pick.
The BPXS-12 Pagoda Lock Pick Set
Once the customer has decided from which series he would like choose his lock pick set, there are a few points that we suggest considering. Our largest sets, like the sets with 30 or more pieces, are designed with the professional locksmith in mind-- Those who are more likely to use the sets on a day-in, day-out basis. For those who are not likely to need the sets as frequently, we typically recommend a mid-sized set, sets having between fourteen and thirty pieces. These sets offer a good variety of picks to practice with and to have for use, without feeling overwhelmed with more picks than needed. Small sets, under 14 pieces, are an excellent choice for customers looking for the lowest price point, or for a compact-sized set to keep on-hand.
We offer a wide range of lock pick sets to suit any need, and we hope, if you’ve been thinking about purchasing a lock pick set, that this breakdown of the sets we offer will help in making your decision. But if you have any questions, please just ask-- We’re here and happy to help!