There are a lot of things to consider when choosing the best lockpicking equipment  tools for you. First and foremost you need to think about your budget. There are lock picking kits available for just about any price range. If you are new to the hobby it probably makes sense to start with a cheaper set and work your way up to a more expensive one as you gain skill. It’s also important to consider what kind of locks you want to be able to open with your tool kit. A beginner’s kit might be better suited for the wafer system found on file cabinets, while a more advanced set may have tools that are more effective at opening door and padlocks.

Mastering the Art of Lock Picking with the Right Pick Sets

Most sets will contain a wide variety of picks in different shapes and sizes. Some will be a standard flat pick with a half-diamond tip designed for single pin manipulation, while others are more comprehensive flat pieces called rakes that can be used to sweep over multiple pins until the correct sequence is discovered. Some will even include a Snake rake (like the wave rakes above) or City rakes that are shorter and have more specific shapes for use in smaller or paracentric keyways.

Some lock pick tools will also have a tension wrench for applying rotational pressure while the pins in a lock are manipulated. This is especially useful in preventing accidental damage to the lock by applying too much pressure.