The history of our SouthOrd MAX lock picks began fifteen-plus years ago, when we set out to manufacture the best line of lock picks. The Rolls Royce of lock picks: That was our goal.
All of our SouthOrd lock picks, except the SouthOrd MAX series, are manufactured from U.S. Full Hard Spring Stainless Steel. The exact details we don’t disclose, but it’s really good steel: Stronger specs than the average full hard and resilient, making our picks durable without being brittle.
For the SouthOrd MAX line though, we selected U.S. High Yield Stainless Steel. With 270,000 PSI, High Yield is the strongest stainless we can manufacture lock picks from. Much stronger than needed for lock picking-- But our goal was to make the best.
We were enthusiastic about the results when we introduced the first generation of SouthOrd MAX lock picks. The picks were exceptionally strong. They were .025” thick, but the profiles were from our Slimline series, making them more suitable for use in locks with narrow keyways. The sets included over-sized leather cases… The line really was an excellent quality for what we were able to do at the time, and it was well-received by our customers.
The problem we found during our mass production, however, was that we were manufacturing our MAX picks in the same manner as our Full Hard picks. Which works great for the Full Hard picks. But the steel we use for the MAX line was too strong for our traditional production methods. It was wearing down our tooling… We weren’t able to produce them efficiently…. So, something had to change.
First Generation M3000 MAX Lock Pick Set
With the changes in production in the second generation of SouthOrd MAX lock picks, also came changes in the picks’ handles. Whereas our first generation of MAX lock picks was introduced with our classic, rivetless stainless steel handles, we introduced our second generation of MAX picks with ergonomic ABS handles. The change in the handles brought the biggest and most immediate response that we’ve received from our customers. The initial response from our customers was that they much preferred the feedback that our rivetless stainless handles provide.
Also, we introduced the 2nd generation MAX picks in .031” high yield stainless steel, which was too thick for our customers outside of the USA whose locks have smaller keyways than our U.S. locks. We quickly followed the .031” MAX line with a thinner .023” MAX line, which was much more suitable for the small, narrow keyways our international customers encounter. But, they too had the ergonomic ABS handles
Second Generation M3000 MAX Lock Pick Set
As time passed, the 2nd generation of SouthOrd MAX lock picks with ABS handles became better received. Customers became accustomed to the ABS handles, and we began to get positive feedback from customers who felt that the handles were comfortable to use.
During this time period, we continued to make improvements to our Full Hard lock picks: We invested in a polishing process that we’ve worked to perfect over time, which refined the finish of our lock picks beautifully, and has become the hallmark for the smooth, glass-like finish that is signature in SouthOrd picks. We also expanded the designs in our Slimline series; and we introduced a new series of tension tools. So, with the improved production method of our MAX picks, our new polishing process, and the incorporation of the new pick and tension tool designs, we were determined to bring the 3rd generation of MAX picks to perfection.
This 3rd generation of SouthOrd MAX lock picks reflects our 30 years experience of manufacturing lock picks, along with the culmination of improvements in production and design of the SouthOrd MAX series over the years: They feature our traditional rivetless stainless steel handles, making them both comfortable to use and ideal for yielding excellent feedback in the locks. The series was expanded with new lock pick designs. The SouthOrd MAX lock pick sets were also expanded with new picks and tension tools not available in our traditional full hard sets. And, most importantly, with our improved manufacturing and polishing processes, combined with the quality of our U.S. High Yield Stainless Steel, the finished picks in the 3rd generation MAX series outmatched any lock picks produced before.
Third Generation M3000 MAX Lock Pick Set
Our 3rd Generation of SouthOrd Lock Picks was recently expanded even further to include a line of Ultra-Thin SouthOrd MAX Lock Picks in .020” thickness. This new line is features the same strong, durable high yield stainless steel, with the ultra-refined finish, but they are even better suited to fit locks with small or narrow keyways, and allow for even more picking room in our larger keyways here in the U.S.
If you haven’t had a chance to peruse our Southord MAX high yield lock picks, they are available to purchase individually or as full lock pick sets:
SouthOrd MAX Lock Pick Sets (.025”)
Individual SouthOrd MAX Lock Picks (.025”)
SouthOrd Ultra-Thin MAX Lock Pick Sets (.020”)
Individual SouthOrd Ultra-Thin MAX Lock Picks (.020”)
If you decide to try one, we thank you, and we hope that you are just as pleased with them as we are!
M3000B Ultra-Thin SouthOrd MAX Lock Pick Set