In my Tools of the Trade posts I often highlight kitchen tools that I find very useful, but not essential.  A knife sharpener, however, is essential for me.  A lot of cutting goes on in the kitchen, and that task is so much easier and in some ways safer with a sharp knife. 

I have not invested in an expensive knife set.  I understand the importance of good quality tools, but high quality always comes with a high price.  Instead, I have decent knives that work well when they are sharp.  But they do get dull. 

I have a diamond hone sharpener like the one in the picture ($30.90 from Amazon), but there are others to choose from

When learning the trade of lock picking there will be a number of terms that you will have to learn. Much like a doctor or a lawyer must learn the words and expressions of the trade the same is true for the profession and hobby of lock picking. The more you understand the terms used the easier you will be able to pick up new procedures and techniques since the ones that will be doing the instruction will be using the right words you will not benefit fully unless you are able to speak the same language. There are a lot of websites and books that will cover all of the more common terms and even many of the obscure words used so that you can get an idea of the types of terminology used in the trade.

Another area that you have to become familiar with when getting into the area of lock picking is the tools of the trade. Just like any other profession, lock smiths use a number of different tools to accomplish the task. The cool thing is that the basic tools of the trade can actually be made at your own home and using very basic household items such as steak knives and allen wrenches. A simple pattern and an everyday bench top grinder can be used to put together a basic and crude lock pick set. This is actually considered a great place to begin the art of lock picking. The reason given for this is that if you make your own tools you will have a greater understanding of the way the tools work to accomplish the task. As you improve you will need to progress to a commercially made set as they are more precise and stronger than most home made tools. It is said that when you are in the market for a set of tools that you should not go for the most expensive one there is but you should look for the thinnest tools you can find. The reason thin is good is that they will take up less space in the lock. The lock area is small so the more you can leave open for movement the better.

When learning how to pick locks, be sure to keep your head on straight and stay patient. The skill is just that, a skill and takes practice to achieve. The worst thing that you can do is expect too much too soon. The more you practice the better your feel for the mechanisms will become and the faster you will be able to get through the pins of a lock. I want to caution you of one important thing. The possession of lock picking tools and devices is illegal in some locations without the appropriate license. If that is the case in your state then if you go about learning be careful with where you buy your gear and where you carry it. Be safe and be smart and you will enjoy your newly discovered hobby or profession.