.:: Keypicking :: Anything And Everything For Locksmiths, Hobbyist Lock Pickers, Locksport, Lock Picking, lockpicks, cutaways and Security. Simply The Best Lockpicking Forum Around!

So I've noticed an influx in homebrew on the site the last couple of days (which is terrific!), so I figured I should join in on the fun and share what I've been working on.

Here is a 2-piece set that I made out of 0.025" spring steel. Purchased a 25-foot roll a while back for making custom picks and I love it. The strength of the material is terrific.

The handles are made out of thin carbon fiber. I connected them using gorilla glue. I wasn't sure how well it would work but so far it has held up terrifically. After getting the handles looking the way I wanted, I sprayed it with high-gloss lacquer to give it a nice look (and a somewhat better feel). I messed up on the hook when putting on the lacquer (first time using) and accidentally dropped it into some sawdust when it wasn't dry. It cleaned up well though, and it is really tough to notice.



The handles are more slim than normal, but they are surprisingly comfortable. They slide in to pick cases really smoothly due to their reduced thickness.

This weekend I'm planning on making a new 3-piece matching set of hooks of small, medium, and large size.

They look great!

They Look great - the handles look a bit like crocodile skin

great job!!

Very nice looking picks man!!! Great Job!!!

Hey cool thanks for the kind words, guys!

Got some new thicker carbon fiber this weekend. I also updated the design I was using for a hook so it has more power to it. Here's what I came up with.
The handle is very comfortable, and so far it provides terrific feedback. I'm thinking I'll grind down the hook a bit though since it feels slightly too tall when it's in a cylinder.

What are you using to shape and cut the carbon fiber?

Looks great!

A combination of a dremel tool (grinding wheel, cutting wheel), hand files, emery cloth, and patience.

lol...same process with the G10 then...helps to have a dust mask.

Yeah I really need to get a dust mask if I continue working with carbon fiber. That stuff creates so much airborne dust while grinding. And the dust itches like crazy sometimes.

Yeah the G10 is the same, even with the mask I scrape out black nasty shit from my nose.

Bro i really like your work, the carbon fiber/ lacquer looks great and I like your pick profiles.

Have you ever worked with high carbon steel? i'm going to have a go at making some picks soon but not sure whether to go carbon or spring