It’s never a bad idea to have the necessary skills to weave yourself in and out of situations using just the bare minimum of tools on hand. If you have the base skills, you can even get by with making your own set of tools in a dire situation if the opportunity presents itself. This is also the sign of a truly skilled locksmith.
But there are times when you will need a lock pick set of your own. So, to know what to consider when buying the best lock pick set, you should aim for your skill level as a baseline and then decide.
Rakes
Rakes serve one main purpose. They are shaped like a key and will move pins consecutively while holding the correct shape. This will allow you to move through the pins so that you can find out where they overlap or stop. By keeping an eye on them, you can progress forward beyond this step.
Hooks
These are the most tedious of all the instruments in a lockpicking set, as they are made for individual pins. What your rake does not catch, your hooks will, so long as you have one hook for each pin that didn’t get caught. This could be quite troubling if the locking system is more complex.
Half Diamond
Just like the rakes and hooks, a half diamond tool gently lifts the pins. It works best with larger locks, as it will have trouble fitting into the openings of certain locks. As such, this is considered a specialty piece in the set that’s generally used in special situations for operating larger padlocks.
Tension Wrench
Possibly the most important component of the whole system is the tension wrench. Once everything is in place and all the pins are moved, the tension wrench helps keep them all in place under tension. Without this piece, the whole system would not unlock.
There are a few other factors that go into owning a decent lock picking set that should not go unnoticed when thinking about what to consider when buying the best lock pick set. These factors include the material and the width.
If you’re using stainless steel, you know it won’t bend, break, tear, or warp. The width should be no less or more than 5/16ths at the rear of the handle and 1/16th at the tip. With the right training and consistency in the craft, you will find yourself successful in picking locks.
Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday sit side by side on the calendar, but they feel very different.
One is full of color, music, and celebration. The other is quiet, simple, and reflective.
Together, they form a powerful transition from feasting to fasting, from Carnival to Lent.
Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on the evening of February 17, 2026. The first day of fasting will likely fall on February 18. The month will end around March 19, 2026, depending on local moon sightings. These dates may be changed, depending on the country.
A red robin watches a Ramadan family prayer with warmth and wonder.
Ride into the rare Year of the Fire Horse with legends, dragon dances, lucky foods, and a fiery red robin salute to Lunar New Year. The Year of the Fire Horse is one of the most dramatic and culturally charged cycles in the Chinese zodiac. It appears only once every 60 years, and when it does, it ignites stories of passion, rebellion, creativity, and change.
From ancient legends to modern festivals filled with dragon dances and lanterns, the Fire Horse gallops through history
as a symbol of both risk and possibility.
Quick Fire Horse Snapshot:
Rare 60-year cycle • Fiery passion • Bold change • Artistic energy • A time to move, create, and transform.
Fire Horse-inspired lantern art at a Lunar New Year celebration.
As mid-February settles in, Presidents' Day arrives as a welcome pause in the winter season, a moment when
communities across the United States step outdoors for parades, visit historic sites, and reflect on the
leaders who shaped the nation. The holiday blends civic pride with the comfort of a long weekend, creating
a unique mix of celebration, education, and family time.
In 2026, the holiday on February 16th carries added significance as the nation enters its 250th anniversary year,
inspiring expanded programming, special exhibitions, and renewed interest in the country’s founding era.
From record spending to instant downloadable gifts for couples, pets, and families. For late shoppers, these ideas make a great solution for finding meaningful gifts.
Valentine’s Day 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet. Recent retail surveys show
that total Valentine’s spending is expected to reach record levels, with average budgets per
person climbing close to the $200 mark. Consumers aren’t just buying for romantic
partners anymore; they’re also celebrating kids, pets, friends, and themselves.
At the same time, how people express love is changing. Instead of defaulting to last‑minute
flowers and generic chocolates, many are looking for gifts that feel personal, meaningful,
and easy to deliver, especially when they’ve left things a little late. That’s where
downloadable, print‑at‑home, and digital gifts step into the spotlight.
