The hook is the pick that opens real locks. With it you lift one pin at a time to the shear line — single pin picking (SPP), the core skill of locksport. Short hooks for most locks, deep hooks for high-low pinning, offset and gem picks for awkward keyways.
Guide
Hooks & Single Pin Picks
Apply light tension. Slide the hook to the back of the keyway and test each pin: most are springy, one is stiff — the binding pin. Lift it slowly until you feel a tiny click and the plug turns a hair. Now another pin binds. Repeat. When the last pin sets, the plug rotates and the lock opens. Every lock in the belt ranking is opened this way.
The workhorse. Low profile, fits under warding, gives the best feedback. If you own one pick, own this one.
Taller tips for locks with high-low pinning (a low pin next to a high pin) where a short hook cannot reach without over-setting its neighbour.
A hook with a pointed tip for precise contact on serrated pins.
Bent to reach around warding in paracentric keyways — common on European cylinders.
Doubles as a light rake and a pick for wafer locks.
0.6 mm (0.025") is stiffer and gives clearer feedback; 0.5 mm (0.020") fits tighter European keyways. Most of our sets ship 0.6 mm; this page offers both so you can match the lock. For dimple and disc detainer locks you need different tools — see dimple picks and disc detainer picks.
A hook is only as good as what you can feel through it. We stock hooks with textured metal handles, rubber-dipped handles and bare "Euro" handles; beginners generally prefer slim, grippy handles that keep the fingers close to the blade.
Learn the technique with pictures in how to pick a lock for beginners, and practise it on a progressive lock. Picks are legal for hobby use in nearly all of Europe — check your country.
