Southord Picks
Posted: Thu May 02, 2013 10:55 pm
Southord's Pagoda picks are very well made knock-offs of Bogota picks. The set is $40, but you can order them separately for around $5 each. I like the two and three hump versions and for a total of $10 they are much cheaper than buying the real Bogota set. Southord also has a nice slim-line bent half-diamond for those rear high lifts. I find Southord products top of the line and much cheaper than the other top makers. Their warded lock keys, for example are $9.95 compared to others that charge as much as $35. The higher end stainless handled picks have spot welds instead of rivets, and are ground smooth. I have not tried their "High Yield" picks which have ABS ergonomic handles and .031" metal, but the thicker material would be unsuitable for narrow keyways although they claim it is much stronger. At $12 a pick, I will pass.
In summary, I wish I had found Southord before I bought my first set. I would encourage a beginner to buy one of their cheaper sets like the MPX-08, supplemented with a couple of Pagodas. And to find a copy of Dev Ollam's "Practical Lock Picking".
In summary, I wish I had found Southord before I bought my first set. I would encourage a beginner to buy one of their cheaper sets like the MPX-08, supplemented with a couple of Pagodas. And to find a copy of Dev Ollam's "Practical Lock Picking".