Best Lock Pick Sets for Survival
Whether you find yourself in a survival situation or you’re simply intrigued by the art of lock picking, having the right tools can make all the difference. In this review, I delve into the world of lock pick sets specifically designed for survival scenarios.
I’ve been testing lockpicks under a survival scope for a few years now, but I have been a hobbyist for over 10 years. For this review, I tried the pick sets on various locks, checked their durability, and weighed them to see their impact on a survival kit.
My top recommendation is for the Multipick Elite, a German-made set that is known for its simplicity and durability.
If you want a kit less expensive to get into the hobby, the Clear Lock Pick Set is a great value that’ll let you hit the ground running. I also suggest a credit-card-sized EDC kit and some easy-to-use bump keys.
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Our latest update of the best survival lockpicks adds a credit-card-sized EDC pick and updates prices for accuracy. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Disclosure»
Best Survival Lockpicks
Multipick Elite
Quality, Reliable, and Effective
Paired with some lockpicking skills, this top-quality set can get through a wide range of locks quickly and quietly.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Designed in 2020 by Christina Palmer, this high-quality spring steel set is the pinnacle of lock pick sets. It focuses on quality, bringing 0.6mm picks with award-winning profiles, and includes zero fluff. Palmer outfitted this set with tools that will help you tackle the statistically most likely locks you’ll encounter. Leveraging science, statistics, and physics is always a win in our books.
Specifications
- Tools: 13 (7 picks, 6 tensioners)
- Organization: Snap case
- Weight: 3.1 ounces
- Manufactured: Germany
These picks ship all the way from Germany, where they are manufactured, and have to be bought over there- all of which is a potential downside.
With a great price and top-notch quality, it’s easy to see why the Multipick Elite Lock Pick Set is the best.
Best Beginner Lockpicks
Clear Lock Pick Set
Inexpensive, Hands-On, and Effective
All the tools you need to learn the craft, plus an effective picking set, once you’ve put in the work.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
The clear lock is one of the easiest ways to learn how locks work. This beginner set includes one, plus several picks and tension rods to get you going. You can’t beat the price of learning such a valuable skill, and it also makes for a great gift.
Specifications
- Pieces: 5 (12 picks, 10 tensioners)
- Organization: Leather Case
- Weight: 11.1 ounces
- Manufactured: China
This is one of the first sets I tried, and it was perfect to learn lockpicking with. The clear lock lets you see the mechanism in action while you use a key, so you can just copy it with a pick and tensioner.
The downside to the kit is that it isn’t professional quality by any means, and it is possible to bend and break the picks and tension rods. If you are looking for something that will last or a kit to upgrade to from a beginner kit, you’ll need to spend more money.
If you are looking for a cheap solution to learn the trade, this Clear Lock Pick Set is what you need.
Best Card Lockpicks
Grim Key Card
Smartly-Designed, Lightweight, and Versatile
A credit-card-sized tool kit that covertly opens doors, handcuffs, and more.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Grim Workshop puts out a lot of covert gear and is known for its credit card tools. They do it better than some of the bigger names out there, with the laminated adhesive that makes the cards reusable.
Specifications
- Pieces: 6 (3 picks, 3 tensioners)
- Organization: Adhesive card
- Weight: 0.8 ounces
- Manufactured: USA
My favorite tool included is the handcuff key/shim/saw/file combo at the bottom of the card. It packs a ton of versatility into a very thin card, making it work well for everyday carry. The entire thing, with the adhesive backing, is just 1mm thick.
The downside is the lack of pick and rake variety. This can make it frustrating to use on more complex locks. Sometimes credit card tools have the downside of not being organized once they are popped out of their card, but Grim Workshop puts a foam-like adhesive on the back so you can stick it right back into its spot. I haven’t had a pick come loose since I started carrying it with me.
If you want a covert lockpick set to carry with you, the Grim Key Card is your best bet.
Best Bump Keys
Bump Key Set
Fast, Easy, and Effective
Bump through plenty of common household locks and padlocks with a fast and easy-to-use bump key.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Also available to buy at UHS Hardware.
Bump keys are an extremely fast entry method if you have the right key and don’t mind making a bit of noise.
- Pieces: 6 keys
- Organization: Key ring
- Weight: 0.8 ounces
- Manufactured: USA
Bump keys work fast to get through the most common doors. The most common residential keys are included in this kit:
- Kwikset KW1 House Key
- Schlage SC1 House Key
- Master Padlock M1
Insert the bump key, put some torque on the cylinder, and give it a solid tap with a solid object (like a bump hammer).
If you are looking for a quick and easy-to-use solution, get a Bump Key Set for your survival kit.
Comparison Table
| Lock Pick | Recommendation | Price* | Type | Picks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multipick Elite | Best Overall for Survival Kits | $70 | Pick set | 13 |
| Clear Lock Pick Set | Best for Beginners | $26 | Pick set | 4 |
| Grim Key Card | Best for EDC | $20 | Pick set | 6 |
| Bump Key Set | Best for Fast Access | $20 | Bump key | 6 |
| Lishi KW1 | $28 | Lishi | 1 | |
| Milspin Firefighter Swipe | $35 | Swipe | 1 |
How I Tested
I tried the various lockpicks and tools on both the clear plastic lock, a keyed Master Lock padlock, and the Kwikset deadbolt on my front door. This let me see how easy they were to use, how durable they are, and whether or not they are effective.
Besides testing the kits on various locks, I also measured and weighed them using a digital scale. Every ounce can matter in a survival kit, so lightweight kits are ideal.
Why Trust TruePrepper
I’m not a lockpicker by trade, but I enjoy it as a hobby, especially when it is applied for survival purposes. I’m Sean Gold, and I’ve been reviewing lock picks here for a few years. I’m an engineer, so I always enjoy learning how things work- and locks are relatively simple once you get to know the mechanisms.
I picked up lockpicking as a hobby about 10 years ago, and I enjoy fiddling with lockpicks as a couch survival skill. I’ve used them a few times in emergencies, to get into my own home or to help a neighbor out. I’ve used everything I recommend, and trust the tools for survival.
What to Look For
The best lock pick set for survival has several important features to look for:
- Value
- Tools Included
- Grip & Feel
- Size & Weight
- Quality
When you get the right blend of these, you can find a set that you can rely on for a wide range of situations, ranging from accessing your bug out location to just getting into your car if you left the keys inside- and everything in between. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the survival-oriented lock pick sets that truly set themselves apart.
Value: Cost vs. Benefit
The amount of money you spend on something like a lock pick set shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. If you are getting one for a survival kit rather than regular use, it may not make sense to spend much on an expensive kit just to use it infrequently.
You never want to spend too much money on one thing when it comes to tools. It’s better to diversify your survival gear to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.
Tools Included
One of the main considerations for a lock pick set is the tools that the set includes. The basics of a hook, rake, and tension wrench (or a bump key) can get you started, but having a variety of tools for specific locks can make picking much easier.
Grip & Feel
Quality picks won’t be difficult to hold and manipulate. The integrated handles have good grip crosshatching, so you don’t drop picks constantly. They are also rigid and transfer movement through the pick, so you can know when the pins catch.
Size & Weight
For survival, locksmith guns and larger kits don’t make much sense unless they are at home. These are usually too bulky and heavy to include in survival kits since there are higher priorities for versatile tools.
Quality
You can infer a lot about the quality of a pick by the steel type and the attention to detail a manufacturer shows. Picks are usually very rigid and use high-hardness steel, but that can make inferior picks brittle.
Are Lock Picks Illegal in the US?
Lock picks can make law enforcement wary, so it’s best to know your local laws and regulations. The good news is that lock picks and bump keys are legal in the US- no federal law prohibits you from buying or owning them.
States, however, have specific and sometimes confusing laws:
- Ohio: Illegal to own lock picks or bump keys unless you can prove noncriminal intent (locksmith license).
- Nevada: Illegal to own lock picks or bump keys unless you can prove noncriminal intent (locksmith license).
- Virginia: Illegal to own lock picks or bump keys unless you can prove noncriminal intent (locksmith license).
- Illinois: Bump keys are illegal to own.
- Kansas: Lock-picking devices are legal, but you will be fingerprinted if you are arrested with them on you.
- Mississippi: Concealed picks and bump keys are considered intent to commit a crime.
- Tennessee: You cannot use lock picks without a locksmith license.
With lock picks and bump keys considered ‘burglary tools’ in most states, you’ll need to be careful about where you take them outside of your home, even beyond the states listed above.
Disclaimer: We are not lawyers and are sharing what we discovered during our research. We are not providing legal advice, as you should check your local laws and regulations before purchasing lock picks.
Who Needs a Lock Pick Set?
Lock pick sets aren’t necessary for survival kits, but they can help you learn an extremely versatile skill for everyday use or SHTF scenarios. In survival situations, you can break down doors as well, which can be quicker if you are skilled with an axe or prybar.
This is why we suggest you just consider lock pick sets for:
Lock picking has been a recreational hobby for centuries, so the finesse required to master the skill has been recognized for a long time.
Sources & References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best lock pick kit are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:
Churchill, D. (2015). The Spectacle of Security: Lock-Picking Competitions and the Security Industry in Mid-Victorian Britain. History Workshop Journal. Volume 80. Issue 1. Pages 52-74. (Source)
Clark, P. (2014). Do Statutes Criminalizing Possession of Burglary Tools Reduce Crime? Cap. UL Rev. Volume 42. Page 803. (Source)
Mercan, B. (2022). New patterns in residential burglary: The method of deadbolt lock picking. European Journal of Criminology. (Source)
Conclusion
A good lock pick set can help you get through barriers and can help keep you safe in emergencies and disasters. It’s also a good skill to learn, so you can test your own security to understand vulnerabilities.
Here are a few other guides and reviews our subscribers have found helpful:
- Best Handcuff Key for Escape and Survival
- Best Door Reinforcement Kit for Home Security
- INCH Bag List | Never Return Home
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
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