Lock Noob reviews GJ Locks ABS Mk2 2-in-1 lock pick

A specialty pick, and a transparency test

The ABS Mk2 2-in-1 does not arrive as just another gadget for the mat. In Lock Noob’s review, the larger story is the way the tool is introduced: sent on loan, treated as sponsored content under U.K. advertising rules, and discussed by a reviewer who says he does not take money for reviews and is not obliged to praise any product. That matters because a specialty pick lives or dies on trust, especially when buyers are deciding whether to make space for one more niche tool in an already crowded kit.

The review also makes plain that this is not a casual unboxing. Lock Noob says he consults for multiple lock-pick manufacturers, which is normal in a hobby where experienced pickers often help shape the next generation of gear. He also says he only reviews items he thinks have merit. For anyone weighing a purchase, that framing is useful because it tells you how to read the commentary: not as a sales pitch, but as an independent judgment coming from someone who is already inside the toolmaking ecosystem.

What a 2-in-1 means in a locksport kit

A 2-in-1 pick sits in the specialist corner of locksport. It is the kind of tool that gets attention because it promises something beyond a standard pick, whether that is efficiency, a distinctive form factor, or a different way to solve the same problem. In a hobby market that keeps producing narrow, purpose-built gear, the ABS Mk2 belongs to the class of tools that buyers compare carefully before they decide whether it deserves a slot in the case.

That comparison is the real buying question. A combined tool can make sense when you want less clutter, fewer pieces to sort through, and a faster setup for a short session. It is especially appealing in quick-access practice, travel kits, or single-lock work, where shaving a little time between attempts can matter more than carrying every separate option you own.

The tradeoff is just as important. A 2-in-1 format can simplify the workflow, but separate tools usually give you more control over feel, angle, and adjustment as conditions change from one lock to the next. If your kit already depends on precise hand placement and a familiar selection of individual picks, a combined design is not a straight upgrade, it is a different priority.

Where the combined format earns its keep

The ABS Mk2 2-in-1 makes the most sense in situations where you value compactness and repeatability over maximum flexibility. That is the practical side of the tool’s appeal, and it is why niche releases like this continue to find an audience. A pick that can cover more than one role without forcing you to swap between tools is attractive when the goal is to keep your setup lean and your workflow moving.

Good fit if you want:

• a smaller, simpler practice kit • a single tool for short sessions • less time spent digging through separate picks • a specialized option to compare against your usual set

Less compelling if you need:

• the highest possible fine control • the broadest range of separate pick profiles • a tool that behaves exactly like a standard standalone pick • maximum flexibility across unpredictable locks

That is why the review is useful even beyond this one product. It shows the continuing divide in locksport buying: some tools are built to do one job better, while others are built to reduce friction between you and the lock. The ABS Mk2 2-in-1 appears squarely in the second category, where the value comes from the package as much as from the individual parts.

Why the disclosure matters to the purchase

The May 30 review is notable because the disclosure is not buried, and that changes how the piece functions for buyers. Lock Noob is telling viewers exactly how the sample arrived, what kind of relationship he has to manufacturers, and why the review still counts as independent commentary. In a community that relies heavily on word of mouth, that kind of clarity is not a side note, it is part of the product evaluation.

It also reflects the reality of the locksport market itself. Specialized tools keep coming, and the channels that review them act as the bridge between makers and hobbyists who want honest feedback before spending money. When the reviewer is explicit about loaned gear, sponsored status, consulting work, and personal standards, the audience can focus on the only question that really matters: does this tool earn its place in the kit?

That is the point of the ABS Mk2 2-in-1 discussion. It is not just about whether a clever form factor looks appealing on camera. It is about whether a combined tool gives you enough speed and convenience to justify giving up some of the control you get from separate picks, and the review frames that choice with the kind of transparency serious buyers expect.