3 production hybrids: a photo review

[ToolyMcgee]

This is mostly so you can see the picks side by side and answer some of your own questions, but I'm going to throw in my two cents as well. In the end, it is a matter or preference, and mine is just another opinion.


Southern Ordinance MAXyield
Specs: .022" thickness, type 301 high yield stainless, die stamped.
Price: $12
This one arrived with only a ridge left from the stamp to smooth out. Supposedly the worlds strongest and most durable stainless steel... right. Maybe the geometry of this pick allows it to flex under all but the lightest lifting pressure. The tip on this one is too large for my preference, the shaft too slim. I think one of the short hooks would be a decent buy for paracentric keyways, but for $12 apiece, I've seen enough of this so called super steel.

HPC Stainless:
Specs: .020" thickness, 2000 series stainless, chemically etched
Price: $8
A nice pick. Sharp looking stainless handle, nice tip size, and good strength for such a slim pick. The extra height of the shaft toward the handle might be a little excessive, but that is my only real criticism. It arrived with the standard tool marks left by a chemcial etching process, and they were easily removed with a little sanding.

Peterson:
Specs: .025" thickness, Government steel, laser cut
Price: $15
The laser cutting process leaves marks along the edge of a pick that rival the notches on the side of a quarter. Government steel is no joke, and it would take a long time to break one of these in through regular use, if it ever stopped being a cylinder eater. I had to hit this sucker with a file before I started smoking sandpaper making it smooth. It was well worth the effort. Their site shows a different profile, but this design is more interesting and stronger. No suprise here, the peterson leaves the othersin the dust. Best strength, best grip, best profile geometry. The only area in which it is lacking, is manueverability. But with a little extra finishing, you can get it there.

There you have it, semi-educational pick porn. Enjoy



-Tooly

[LocksmithArmy]

nice review and pictures...

I have been thinking of adding technical info to my site aswell as prices... but I dont have a micrometer... might be worth the investment though

[the lockpickkid]

Great review Tooly, I like the looks of the Petersons but man, what a price tag, I just can't justify paying the extra bucks, my Hpc's work great. Southord has come a long ways, but aside from buying a couple starter sets for the kids or my friends I don't see myself ever using any of there products again, they just don't hold up. If I would have bought HPC's from the start I would still be using them and saved the extra money. I have also see Ilco picks for sale and I have never seen these before, anybody care to tell about them? Also Rytan, I have one, it is nice but has a weird feel!!

[Riff]

Thanks Tooly! I own each one of these as well. I dont use the southord at all anymore. I find that the HPC is not strong enough. Ive bent it a couple times working with security pins...but I was being to rough I'm sure. I'm still pretty new. It's always bent back into shape though.... The peterson is my favorite. I cant bend this sucker. It's like working with a pick made out of windshield wiper blade. It's strong as hell and never come close to bending. I'd like for you to explain a little more about the use of the file and sandpaper to fix up the peterson a bit. Thanks again!

[crazy]

Great review man

[ToolyMcgee]

I have been thinking of adding technical info to my site aswell as prices... but I dont have a micrometer... might be worth the investment though

All their websites have the thicknesses listed. That's where I pulled it from. The micrometer comes in handy once in awhile, and for $20 you can get a decent digital cheapy. It comes in handy every once in awhile.

Great review Tooly, I like the looks of the Petersons but man, what a price tag, I just can't justify paying the extra bucks, my Hpc's work great.

The government steel one is $15, but the spring steel one is only $4.25 with a rubber handle. Same pick, different steel. It's a tough SOB too. A good compliment to the custom HPC you are punishing. Rubber handle so soft and comfy...

I'd like for you to explain a little more about the use of the file and sandpaper to fix up the peterson a bit.

I used smooth cut files to knock off the tool marks, and progressively finer grits of sandpaper to put give it a good finish. Files, then 500, then 1200, then 2000 and finish it up with some automotive wax and a cotton cloth or wheel. Shines brighter than chrome plating. The only reason I used files was to save some sandpaper, but you can do it all with sandpaper on the table top, and wrapped around a round pencil.

[the lockpickkid]

Some of my HPC's came second hand from a locksmith and they came all smooth, mine however came from the factory in really good shape, what was rough has since wore off with all the use that they get! I have a few Southords that will almost cut your skin with the sharp edges!

[magician59]

The choice of picks is largely personal preference; When I started buying mass-manufactured picks, there weren't many choices. I have used HPC products nearly 40 years. They have proven themselves to be very consistent in quality and durability. I started using Rytan picks about 20 years ago. Same track record, and excellent small-profile picks. I am impressed with the designs Peterson is turning out. Have never bought SouthOrd picks. But as a collector of tools, perhaps one day...Oh, the curse of the tool junkie!

[Riff]

Oh, the curse of the tool junkie!

He does make them look very sexy! I want mine to look all shiny like that. lol

[magician59]

If I ever retire, I'm going to have mine gold plated.

[the lockpickkid]

It has been said that I sleep with my HPC's under my pillow, and I have to admit, they are a little lumpy under there at night but I wouldn't trade them for nothing!!

[aka.decoy]

I have been thinking of adding technical info to my site aswell as prices... but I dont have a micrometer... might be worth the investment though

All their websites have the thicknesses listed. That's where I pulled it from. The micrometer comes in handy once in awhile, and for $20 you can get a decent digital cheapy. It comes in handy every once in awhile.

Shoot, I posted this yesterday about but I guess it didn't go through. Anyway-

Happy Halloween! I deal with +/- .001 tolerances quite often, and if you are looking to buy piece of PME, I would suggest a dial caliper. Verniers are great too, but harder to read. The better micrometers are more accurate, to the .0001, whereas dial calipers are only accurate to the .001. However when dealing with picks I believe that level of accuracy (.0001) is moot. Micrometers usually come in 1" increments, whereas a dial caliper will give you a 0-6" range (not that you'd have a pick that big). Also, a micrometer will only measure O.D./thk (I.D. if you use a telescoping gauge). A dial caliper will measure O.D., I.D., shoulder height, & depth. I'm only allowed to use calibrated Starret and Brown & Sharpe brands at work, but a digital/analog cheapy would work just fine too-

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIAL-CALIPER-6-INCH ... 518daefe55
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Performa ... veQ5fTools

The reason I keep mentioning "dial" is because they are more reliable than the digital ones, and you can get better feel by watching the dial. Plus, you don't have to worry about a dial caliper's batteries going out on ya. If you decide to go with a micrometer, the same issues apply to the digital type. Only downside of an analog mic is that it's harder to read (not really). I dunno, I just feel a dial caliper is more versatile than a mic, but that's just my personal preference & humble opinion.

Of course, if you already knew all this and already have a preference, just disregard.

[s1deshowmick]

I have a south ord hook and snake rake that i don't use much, and have never had the pleasure of using any HPC stuff yet. The Peterson picks i have, i enjoy using a lot.

The offset hook ( Petersons ) i find is too large for our Aussie key ways and only ever use it on American locks, or locks from the U.S i should say, But even then it has a very welcome place in my tool collection.

I think Peterson makes some of the best hardest wearing tools any hobbyist can own. The government picks are somewhat expensive, but with a once in a lifetime purchase ( unless you lose it ) you don't get much better than that.

Nice pick porn too btw tooly.