I'm a Firefighter and myself and my LT started picking locks, not only as a hobby but also because we run into situations where we have to make entry into a home or business. So in order to save our citizens money, before we would force the door, or cut the lock with a special circular saw called a k12. We both have gotten to the point where we can pick a majority of the common home locks before another person can go back to the truck to get the k12. The covert companion is what I carry and absolutely love it. It's a dang good tool and thanks to them and channels like this we have saved people in our community thousands of dollars in damage.
I can say the Slim Pickings (Covert Companion slimmed down to the Riv Pick and Turners only, if people don't know), is an absolute great carry, well designed, and got me into a few lockouts.
For sure. The riv-pick and turning tools are the heavy hitters in the set. I use the combs whenever possible just for ease of use but I’ve also jiggled ignitions, decoded combos and knifed locks with it when the need has arisen.
@@SeeStuDo I had the stuff I used the most added to the slim pickings and it worked great. The full CC has stuff I haven’t needed to use yet but having the extra options is never a bad thing.
@@georgiajim2260I serve warrants and was brought into the hobby by you and Sandman primarily - I started with the Covert Companion and had a slight back and forth with you a few months back on the quality control of them… I’ve got Covert Instruments full line up now and STILL, use my Riv Pick the most - followed by a Sparrows Offset hybrid and a skinny CI rake. Those tools have gotten me into armory locks, houses, padlocks, and gates all over Oahu, HI.
Thanks for including the levels that any person could be. As a hobby, it has been fun, but professionally, some brands are very stubborn, so I think this will do well in my pocket.
Great review brother!!! That's gotta be one of the best explanations of when and where the Covert companion is actually applicable. It would be great in stall at work for popping trailer locks and basic Masters but not so great on my desk at home as main pick set
This is a great video, Jim! I agree completely! Many people get these tools with the wrong idea of what they are. Like you said, this is an edc tool to be used when needed. Not to be used as a hobby picking solution picking for hours at a time. Ive heard many people say things like this arent good but its because their using it for the wrong purpose and end up giving it a falsly wrong review!
Great video that answered a lot of my questions and concerns as I start this new hobby. I did get one and the assembly instructions never showed how to include the part that you have your string loop attached too. Going to follow your advice for beginners. Subscribed and liked, thanks
I love my Covert Companion, and very good review! I do find my very useful in my hobby picking as well. One thing that I love about it is the width, it makes it so that I can pick while I'm having issues with my hands.
Nice to hear and thanks for checking out my review. Are you using the pistol grip to pick with it? I could never get along with it trying it like that.
Perfectly said! I work at a local hardware store and we don’t carry high security locks. I don’t sell them. I never will. All we ever encounter are master locks, and cheap versions of that. All which can be very easily bypassed or raked open. Also have the lock harpoons on mine to disable locks we have for store use.
Pretty much why I didn’t buy it. Way to new at this and figured my time should be spent with full sized. Definitely interested in what they are doing with that Rizz though….
I have a Slim Pickings set for my EDC, and the Covert Companion is up there on my list of future investments! I think my plan will be to take the picks out of the Covert Companion and set them aside--that way the Slim Pickings will be for picking, while the Covert Companion will only have the bypass tools in it.
@@georgiajim2260 Oh, my idea is to keep the SP and CC as two completely separate toolkits actually! That way when a lock needs opening, it cuts down on the unused bulk--either I can use the CC to bypass it, or I need to break out the SP for a more involved pick.
@@jeremy.-.s lol it’s an achievement just to put it together lol. If you do get one I recommend some blue or purple loctite on the screw posts to help keep everything snug.
Agreed, I prefer larger handles on my picks and find the riv very comfortable. The rizz pick that will be coming out soon will be even better as it will have thinner hooks and be more versatile.
I always ask myself "What are you trying to do?" before planning anything else. If your goal is clear, the best path to achieve it is usually equally clear be that locks or anything else. If it's a quick open you want, this tool is good. If you want to pick, then use regular picks which give better feedback and are much easier to use, especially for novices like me. Two different goals, two different skills, two different toolsets.
![[100] Covert Instruments Comb Picks Reviewed](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qVV4dsGzGYU/mqdefault.jpg)
![[503] Works by Design “Unpickable” Adaptive Pin Lock Picked and Partially Gutted](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LWaglcRDWo0/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm a Firefighter and myself and my LT started picking locks, not only as a hobby but also because we run into situations where we have to make entry into a home or business. So in order to save our citizens money, before we would force the door, or cut the lock with a special circular saw called a k12. We both have gotten to the point where we can pick a majority of the common home locks before another person can go back to the truck to get the k12. The covert companion is what I carry and absolutely love it. It's a dang good tool and thanks to them and channels like this we have saved people in our community thousands of dollars in damage.
Very well said.
Thanks!
Some very good points very well made Jim. It's a great tool imho if the user understands it's limitations and intended use.
Thanks Dmac!
I can say the Slim Pickings (Covert Companion slimmed down to the Riv Pick and Turners only, if people don't know), is an absolute great carry, well designed, and got me into a few lockouts.
For sure. The riv-pick and turning tools are the heavy hitters in the set. I use the combs whenever possible just for ease of use but I’ve also jiggled ignitions, decoded combos and knifed locks with it when the need has arisen.
@georgiajim2260 I absolutely want the full Covert Companion as well, now I have the SP.
@@SeeStuDo I had the stuff I used the most added to the slim pickings and it worked great. The full CC has stuff I haven’t needed to use yet but having the extra options is never a bad thing.
@@georgiajim2260I serve warrants and was brought into the hobby by you and Sandman primarily - I started with the Covert Companion and had a slight back and forth with you a few months back on the quality control of them…
I’ve got Covert Instruments full line up now and STILL, use my Riv Pick the most - followed by a Sparrows Offset hybrid and a skinny CI rake. Those tools have gotten me into armory locks, houses, padlocks, and gates all over Oahu, HI.
Thanks for including the levels that any person could be. As a hobby, it has been fun, but professionally, some brands are very stubborn, so I think this will do well in my pocket.
Great review brother!!! That's gotta be one of the best explanations of when and where the Covert companion is actually applicable. It would be great in stall at work for popping trailer locks and basic Masters but not so great on my desk at home as main pick set
You make great points. 👍🐾🐈⬛🍻
Thanks Chris!
That’s pretty much spot on with what I think.
This is a great video, Jim! I agree completely! Many people get these tools with the wrong idea of what they are. Like you said, this is an edc tool to be used when needed. Not to be used as a hobby picking solution picking for hours at a time. Ive heard many people say things like this arent good but its because their using it for the wrong purpose and end up giving it a falsly wrong review!
Great video that answered a lot of my questions and concerns as I start this new hobby. I did get one and the assembly instructions never showed how to include the part that you have your string loop attached too. Going to follow your advice for beginners. Subscribed and liked, thanks
Perspective! Good explanation Jim. I like the Leatherman VS tool box analogy.
Thanks!
I love my Covert Companion, and very good review!
I do find my very useful in my hobby picking as well. One thing that I love about it is the width, it makes it so that I can pick while I'm having issues with my hands.
Nice to hear and thanks for checking out my review. Are you using the pistol grip to pick with it? I could never get along with it trying it like that.
@@georgiajim2260 Yes, I find it the most comfortable way to hold the companion. But I agree, it is very different from regular lock picks.
Great video. I wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts on this.
Thanks!
Perfectly said!
I work at a local hardware store and we don’t carry high security locks. I don’t sell them. I never will. All we ever encounter are master locks, and cheap versions of that. All which can be very easily bypassed or raked open. Also have the lock harpoons on mine to disable locks we have for store use.
Pretty much why I didn’t buy it. Way to new at this and figured my time should be spent with full sized. Definitely interested in what they are doing with that Rizz though….
I have a Slim Pickings set for my EDC, and the Covert Companion is up there on my list of future investments! I think my plan will be to take the picks out of the Covert Companion and set them aside--that way the Slim Pickings will be for picking, while the Covert Companion will only have the bypass tools in it.
That’s what I did with this one, no need for the picks on the CC when you have the riv on it.
@@georgiajim2260 Oh, my idea is to keep the SP and CC as two completely separate toolkits actually! That way when a lock needs opening, it cuts down on the unused bulk--either I can use the CC to bypass it, or I need to break out the SP for a more involved pick.
@@Thesnakerox I understand, basically a folding Arbiter kit.
Great video! As mostly a hobby picker i haven't been able to justify the purchase aswell as i am terrible with putting things together 😂
@@jeremy.-.s lol it’s an achievement just to put it together lol. If you do get one I recommend some blue or purple loctite on the screw posts to help keep everything snug.
Excellent review. Well thought out. Thank you
Great points in this!
4:37
Basic ez locks to ultra high security locks
The riv is very comfortable even having large hands.
Agreed, I prefer larger handles on my picks and find the riv very comfortable. The rizz pick that will be coming out soon will be even better as it will have thinner hooks and be more versatile.
I spotted that in your case. I’m definitely looking forward to adding it.
Man that’s awesome!
I always ask myself "What are you trying to do?" before planning anything else. If your goal is clear, the best path to achieve it is usually equally clear be that locks or anything else.
If it's a quick open you want, this tool is good. If you want to pick, then use regular picks which give better feedback and are much easier to use, especially for novices like me. Two different goals, two different skills, two different toolsets.
Well said
Cool 👌
Bro, do you have every expansion on that thing.
I think so. Bypass driver, dimple rake, commercial door hook and harpoons.