"NEW" Peterson GEM Lock pick

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

For one I am excited that they stopped stamping the pick and laser-etched instead to me that's an improvement. How quickly can you clean this up with some fine grit sandpaper? That would be an interesting video as a follow-up. Are they still $8 per pick?

[@LegalLockPicker]

Indeed they are. Even after I’ve cleaned them they still have a completely different feel. The metal is different unfortunately.

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

@@LegalLockPicker Thanks for sharing this!

[@phpicker1552]

Thanks for letting us know this. Im guessing, but they probably use a plasma cutter to cut these out. Maybe these got by quality control.

[@LegalLockPicker]

This is not the first one like this. The only way this could continue to happen is a new machining process.

[@christianfritz6333]

All of them get by quality control, the old ones obviously the new ones. Not a fan.

[@Fluffy_666]

Quality control...Peterson....Two words that don‘t go too well in one sentence lol

[@kyletaylor9980]

Ill just stick to Sparrows

[@Bellupina]

I died when the toy hand came into view. XD. @ 4:06, runs the hand over the pick and says "friction".

[@samlott99]

What's your point? Is there something incorrect about using the term "friction"?

[@mark.donald.miller]

I have a fair amount of Peterson picks and a lot of them are go-to picks for me. Having said that, I've also done a BUNCH of sanding and hand finishing on any and all Peterson picks I own. If I could get a do-over on buying picks again I'd save a lot of money by just buying Multipick. Nothing else comes close to Multipick quality. You'll pay more upfront but they are worth it. Just some friendly advice if you're shopping. FYI too Multipick shipping is incredibly fast to the US in my experience also.

[@The_Doc_Rocks]

Agreed - see my separate post above. The other top quality picks - in the same league as Multipick - are Law Lock Tools picks. And I like the longer handles on those as I have big hands. But I have plenty of Multipicks too.

[@garyanvil2354]

Thanks I did learn something I don't like it the stamping weakens the steel on one and on the other one you can see how the laser etching heated the steal all the way through I'm not sure if that compromises the steel but I imagine it could... they fixed one weakness and looks like they created another one... Great video

[@rationalbushcraft]

You would think a premium company like that would use a water jet cutter.

[@LegalLockPicker]

I’m curious what the profit margins would look like if that were the case. Great thought

[@MrCocolitos]

I think they use laser cutting technology.

[@LuckyStrike01]

I’ve just bought a bunch of stuff from Peterson and the .018 look like that especially the gem. The .025 don’t have that problem and need very little sanding and the .015 aren’t bad especially for how thin they are. The .018 are a great thickness but they are a bit different with the laser marks and all that. I always sand my stuff and polish anyway but it does seem to be much more noticeable with the .018. Multipick out of the wrapper feel like they have been hand polished though I really like the grip and feel of petersons especially the rubber.

[@lockolot6704]

Thanks for sharing. It almost looks like the edges got too hot 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@lockhak33]

Looks like you got a defective one. You should definitely call them.

[@The_Doc_Rocks]

I have lots of Peterson picks - see separate post - and they are ALL like this to varying degrees. Peterson are renowned for terrible quality control.

[@lockhak33]

@@The_Doc_Rocks is that a newer issue?

[@LegalLockPicker]

@@lockhak33 I understand what he’s saying however this is a completely different metal and machining process. This is a new one as far as I can tell.

[@lockhak33]

@@LegalLockPicker so it's not made from Government Steel?

[@LockpickingsGal]

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Saves us some money. Awesome video!! Happy holidays!!

[@LegalLockPicker]

Cheers, hope you have a wonderful Holiday season. Hope to see you for Thursday’s video - just a heads up :)

[@LockpickingsGal]

@@LegalLockPicker is there a time? I will have plenty of time. I just want to set an alarm

[@christianfritz6333]

It's nice to hear that Peterson finally got rid of that stupid stamping on the base of the hook, I'm not hard on picks, Peterson's are the only I've ever broken, always on the stamping.. Got fed up when a second one let me down and bought sparrows, said wait, less then half the cost per pick, hmm different metal...ill try them.... Never looked back, if you are hooked on a certain profile you might have to look a little deeper, for me it's the glide picks and the SSDeV picks. My 2¢

[@somebodywhoateapie7073]

I got my DCAP and gem some time ago, and they just felt... horrible. On the gem, it almost seemed like the shaft was made with the same plastic as the handle because it felt so horrible and scratchy. I couldn't understand why everyone loved Peterson so much. I concluded that I must just not be used to it, and that it wasn't that they were low quality. Thanks to this video, I took a second look at it, and sure enough, it was covered in faint burn marks. After this, I really can't see why anyone would buy Peterson for anything but stuff they absolutely couldn't get anywhere else. They were already crazy expensive, and a post on the subreddit some time ago revealed that their government steel wasn't so special after all. Nope, it's not just that the one pick in the video slipped past quality control.

[@jpvielleux]

Thanks for the heads up! I still have yet to get any picks. I'm unfortunately suffering from the Hawaiian disease "LackAMoolah". Someday!

[@LegalLockPicker]

My suggestion is simple.. keep watching. I do frequent giveaways especially for people just beginning. Stay current my friend and have a healthy holiday season.

[@jpvielleux]

@@LegalLockPicker Thanks, you as well!

[@matt6thompson9]

“New Pick Smell 👃 “ lol like the laser etching but your right, rough on the edges

[@LegalLockPicker]

Glad someone enjoyed the new pick smell! Only a pro would notice

[@thegrafxguy1]

that's pretty weak for a company that thinks so highly of itself. the flashing on the handle hasn't been cleaned, doesn't look like it's been tumbled much. disappointing.

[@LegalLockPicker]

We can hope for improvements, or focus on the stash we have until they no longer work. Tough choices

[@Ranchdressing890]

I just ordered three .018 pics from Peterson they should be here tomorrow. One of those pics I ordered was that one so thanks for the heads up, I might have to sand them a little.

[@brannonbrown7720]

I got 2 gems and 2 hook ones yesterday they were sharp but not heated up like yours maybe one slipped trough quality control??

[@Notanothercrayon]

Just got four peterson picks (govt steel) today, including the gem in .025, they all look perfect and feel smooth. No complaints at all. Mind you I'm a locksport novice, but they definitely seem to be in way better condition than what you got. Dunno what's happening here.

[@pottervi]

The finger pointer kills me lmao

[@481060]

My understanding is that a few of the H-1 euros slipped through not tumbled enough and that the acid process picks have been culled from Peterson inventory. That suggests that there are no future woories mate!

[@LegalLockPicker]

13 new ones just arrived fine.

[@evilarchconservative2952]

I hope Peterson sees your review.

[@LegalLockPicker]

I hope I’m wrong and this was just a fluke. Unfortunately I’ve ordered them from 3 different companies and are all the same.

[@dverygrateful1]

@@LegalLockPicker call them the lady in. Nj is nice

[@markbirong9536]

I got a Gem in .018 recently too and had the same issues but perhaps a little worse with bits of flashing on the metal and sharp pieces of molding still on the handle. The pick was definitely not usable right out of the box. The sharp edges would hang up in locks and the handle (Peterson's main advantage IMO) wasn't comfortable. I spent some time with 600 grit sandpaper taking off the edges and just overall polishing and smoothing it out. Works great now, but yeah, QC shouldn't have let it ship in that condition. I know they like to use that Bosnian Bill quote about final finishing as a disclaimer, but I don't think that really flies, especially when Peterson charges substantially more than competitors whose picks are better finished and actually usable when they arrive in your mailbox. Don't get me wrong, I like their products and plan to buy more, but there are definitely pros and cons.

[@EdocDab]

Strange to see such a finish 🤔 Not what I would expect either.

[@LegalLockPicker]

You my friend are sitting where I am.

[@The_Doc_Rocks]

I have quite a large collection of picks and pick sets. My favourites are Law Lock and Multipick - quality is superb. Sparrows are also excellent but need to trim the handle dip back off the "blades". But I also have a decent range of Petersons in multiple thicknesses, and these are by FAR the worst quality-control picks out there. I have a set of inexpensive picks from Banggood that leaves all the Peterson picks for dead in the quality department. Petersons feel cheap and nasty, and while they have some designs that are good, they need to be sanded within an inch of their lives and trimmed back to the handles. Even the handle edges need to be sanded - they are as rough as guts. The two full sets of Petersons that I have are in leather rolls that look like they were made in some back street knockoff shop. The Multipick sets, in contrast, are in leather rolls that look like they came from the Valentino premium shop. Petersons are, quite simply, just not worth the money. Overpriced, terrible quality control.

[@mark.donald.miller]

I concur, Pete. I should have given credit to LawLock also. I have several sets from LL that are very nicely done. I’ve seen Peterson’s commentary about their fit and finish - basically that it costs too much to clean up the picks and they already do more than similar brands. There’s been some heated discussion from Peterson on Reddit on the subject. Cost to quality comparison it’s a win hands down by Multipick and LawLock over everyone else.

[@LegalLockPicker]

My main picks vary as I try to stay versed in as many different brands style and thickness as possible. That being said I do tend to lean on LLT what’s left of mad bobs and sparrows. I use multipick for dimple - southord for tubular - toool for raking. You get the idea ... Peterson seems to have fallen from the lineup for most die Garda for some reason.

[@The_Doc_Rocks]

@@LegalLockPicker "for some reason"... I think it's self-explanatory.. ;)

[@roysammons2445]

I don't actually use Peterson pucks but usually I hear good things about them. This recent find is a little disappointing. Let's hope it's just one of those 'somehow got past quality control' issues.

[@billcarson1966]

I've seen a lot of Peterson reviews from the past 3 years from maybe about 7 or 8 YT channels and many have said they were disappointed by Peterson. For the price, they expected better quality and "polish." I don't own any so I cannot personally say.

[@LegalLockPicker]

My goal is to spend to help influence purchasing and hopefully save you money along the way. Helping others with all the mistakes I make. Hopefully this helps you.

[@PocketWomen]

There has been complaints about the quality for a while now. Shame it looks like it is getting worse. Thanks for this video, cheers

[@dustyknuckles199]

After talking to Ken at Petersons, he made several excuses including employee issues, QC and that they had tried a new manufacturing process as the previous acid cutting was causing the weakness you pointed out in the ID marking etched into the steel... however our conversation was due to the fact that I was also very discontent with the quality and finish of the new laser cut picks and expect a better product, particularly at their price point. Hopefully they will get the process worked out for their customers and quality control issues like this are not a continuing problem. IMO, Petersons has had a good run, developed some fine tools and profiles, but is now resting upon an established reputation and cutting corners on product, service and quality. I will be sending all my future business to Andy at Law Lock Tools, whom I feel produces a much higher quality product, at an even better price, and honestly cares about his customers and product quality.

[@ConkreteMan]

Just bought a 25, 18, & a 15. The 18 looked just like yours. Stood out like a sore thumb next to the other two. Also, great tiny pointer ☝🏼

[@lockhackeruk900]

I'm glad they got rid of the stamp! Mine broke there within a couple of days

[@jeremyeicke3682]

Just got a couple gems in the mail from a order back in early dec. The .25 was fine. The .18 looked like this. Thank God for sand paper

[@SilktheAbsent1]

As far as initial preparation goes, Peterson picks have generally needed more than others for me, at least as far as mass market North American pick manufacturers go. Sparrows are typically a lot better out of the box, but Southord seem to have the best tumbling process, even for their cheapest picks. Again, this is just for mass market North American manufacturers, so smaller companies aren't included.

[@gantry289]

Too bad. Thanks for the heads up.

[@bclockpicker2171]

it looks like a crappy knockoff lol. have a great holiday

[@samlott99]

Lots of legit issues raised in this post/video. I own a few, as in 5 Peterson picks. Own some Sparrow's picks too. I like the profile of the Peterson Gem for certain keyways. The Sparrow's Attila is one of my favorites. But at the end of the day, my preference is HPC, good old fashioned metal handled simple picks, made from spring steel. Short and medium hooks, Snake Rake, Diamond, and City Rake by HPC does it for me. I have some chinese cheapos from Wish or Bangood that I have sanded and dressed up into great picks too. I use electrical tubing to cover the metal handles after I condition them by sanding.

[@Uniquettt]

Never had hold Of a Peterson Pick so I can not compare. The not purchasing point for me as always been how far the metal of the pick goes into the plastic handle as I see this as a week point.Just my view point. If any one has a old still working Peterson pick I would give it a work out before I comment

[@firepicker5174]

Good review!, thanks for sharing!

[@DonzLockz]

All my Petersons are laser engraved. I won't buy Peterson again because of that. I think Ken is just skimping out, thanks for the update mate! 😁🍺🎅🖐🇦🇺

[@toddlofthouse8383]

Nah they’ve really gone down hill

[@LegalLockPicker]

Wish I had more complete sets like the ghost - talon - or their large sets for a more substantial group with which to draw results from but you work with what you’ve got.

[@crapspackle]

I'm not a fan of Peterson picks. They seem to be entirely unfinished.

[@dverygrateful1]

Not finished like sparrows. They need good handles.

[@carle2552]

@@dverygrateful1 I never received a pick from sparrow that looked like that.

[@MirumotoChris]

That is disappointing, I figure it has to be a QC failure. Not that it would excuse this, but I have to hope it is not a new normal for Peterson.

[@wickedninja8599]

They are great, but god help you if you have a faulty one. Ken the owner is very rude even when you are being relatively cordial. They also don't replace the product they just say it's all your fault and that you don't know what you are doing and they won't replace and will only give you a discount on a replacement (after he proceeds to be snarky and talk down to you). As great as Peterson may be I wouldn't buy them again.

[@carle2552]

I would have returned them. That's unacceptable for the price we pay. I'm sorry but we shouldn't have to clean up a brand new expensive tool right out of the box.

[@philbiggersraff9745]

I have received about twenty picks, including the gem in the last six months. Just got one of Friday honestly, and none of them had these marks on them. Sometimes the rubber flashing needs a little touch up but with a razor blade and ten seconds they are perfect. The flashing is not a deal breaker for me. Peterson makes thousands and thousands of picks with like three employees including Ken in a small NY shop. A bit of excess rubber on the Handel that wears of by use anyway is not anything to complain about. Half the stuff I get from sparrows is flimsy and or has made in China on it. If you are new to the hobby do yourself a favor. Buy a Peterson pick, your choice. Then buy a sparrows version, they will have the same version because sparrows just rips off Peterson designs anyway. Get a lock you are comfortable with and do a blind feel test. Really try to feel the difference, the Peterson picks give way way better feel and feedback. But don’t take my word, try it and if you still like sparrows then good on you. But spend the $10 on your favorite pick in a rubber Handel.

[@iyeetsecurity922]

That tiny hand. Lulz.

[@481060]

.

[@Lockpicker1973]

Truly disappointed 😞 😪 😔 😕 😢 💔

[@noahway13]

Just send all your rubbish picks to me...

[@Raven-qj9gv]

Drama queen. !!!!