Review on The Visual Guide to Lock Picking

[patrick101]

After watching the visual guide to lock picking DVD I decided to write a review about it, the main reason being that I have taken lots of information from the site, and would like to give some back.

I ordered my DVD from http://www.locksmith-tools.co.uk/ . I have used this site twice now for getting different things and I have to say they are excellent. I ordered the DVD on Monday night and when I came home from school on the Wednesday it had arrived. Apart from that the prices are good, and they have a wide variety of picks and other tools.

Anyway, enough of the free advertising for http://www.locksmith-tools.co.uk/ . As soon as the DVD arrived I shoved it in the DVD player and started to watch it. I would like to say that every scene of the visual guide to lock picking is a computerised version of a lock. It may be broken down to show how it works or how to pick it with a voice explaining what is happening, so at no time do you see a real lock.

When the main menu appears the choice is given to you to watch one of the four chapters, the first being on warded locks. It gives a brief explanation about how to identify a warded lock and a larger one on how one works. Warded locks in padlocks and on deadbolts are both explained. A section on skeleton keys and impressioning are shown. The section on impressioning was particularly good, as I did not know it was possible to do it on warded locks.

The second chapter is on pin tumbler locks. Again it gives a brief explanation on how to identify a pin tumbler lock and a larger one on how one works. It shows approximately fifteen different picks, what they are called and what they are useful for. Raking and single pin picking are both talked about. Having read and re-read the MIT guide to lock picking I already had a basic understanding of pin tumbler locks. Having said this the pin tumbler section was thorough and informative, and I definitely learnt lots of new things.

At the end of the pin tumbler chapter there is a ten-minute bit on various other techniques for opening pin tumbler locks. I thought this could have been in an extra chapter so I have decided to put it in a new paragraph:

· Using padlock shims and how they work.
· Shimming doors with a credit card.
· Using a pick gun and how they work.

The third section is on advanced pin tumblers. This covers master keyed locks, rounded and bevelled locks and high security pins. The high security pins covered are mushroom pins, spool pins and serrated pins. Even though this was a relatively short chapter I still found it useful.

The last chapter is a short one on wafer locks. As in all the previous chapters, how to identify a wafer lock and how they work are mentioned first. Double sided and single sided wafer locks are both talked about. Tryout keys are also given their little section.

Overall I would say that this DVD is very, very good. The computer generated 3D animations are second to none as are the explanations in the voice over. The only problem with The Visual Guide to Lock Picking is the price. Me only being thirteen I think £20 is quite a lot of money. Adding the three pounds for postage the DVD comes to £23. Considering the DVD only lasts for about an hour it is a bit on the steep side, having said that the other Videos and DVD’s cost around £35.

If you have just started to pick locks or you want to increase your knowledge on the subject, I would recommend the Visual Guide to Lock Picking DVD without a doubt.

Thank you for reading my review.

Patrick101

[jps71]

Excellent review Patrick thanks for the info

[raimundo]

I notice that patrick is in the UK and the dvd he bought dosent seem to cover the lever locks and 2in1 picks that all the UK lockeys are talking about, should I have skimmed the review slower? did I miss something?

[patrick101]

The DVD does not cover lever locks and 2 in 1 picks. I suppose that lever locks are a bit more advanced?

[matteo687]

Hey Patrick,

I am considering this DVD and I was wondering if it is interactive?
Also, does it give you any set-up choices like languages or subtitles?

Thanks,
MD

[Murph]

Patrick,
That was an excellent review! Very informative and well written. I wish more 13 year olds like yourself would approach the subject of lockpicking in a mature attitude like yourself.
Your review might have either saved somebody else money or open up a "door" to a great reference on the subject of lockpicking.
Best regards,
Murph

[Geek142]

I was 13 when I joined and I acted maturely about it and knew i was doing the for a hobby and acted mature about it. So there he isnt the only one

Geek

[matteo687]

Ok, I ordered the DVD from Amaz... because the UK website could not take my credit, debit card because my account is in Spain. That, however, is a rant I will not begin.

I have a problem with the DVD. It wont play on my pc with WMplayer 10 (windows xp sp2 etc..) or with PowerDVD. My pc is from the US and Windows config the DVD drive for area 1 (USA). The VGTLP DVD says nothing about what global area the format is config to. When I try to play it, my WMP just freezes and i have to give the 3 finger salute to end the process. BTW if I put in a European DVD, i get a prompt message stating the difference between USA area DVDs and Europa etc.

File formats on the DVD are as follows: VOB, IFO, BUP they are encrypted. Anyway, i dont wanna copy them, I just wanna watch what I paid through the nose for!

Sorry if this post is not exactly LP, but it is related!
Any help from you computer gurus out there?

Much appreciated,
MD

[Shrub]

Im no expert but it sounds to me like your player is set to a differant region, try to set it to europe or have a look on the net for a prog that will do it,

The best idea i have is for you to try it on a mates dvd player as it may just be a faulty disc.

[matteo687]

Right, I thought of that. Problem is, my pc is set to region 1 right. I have put in a region 2 disc and get the 'your pc is set to region 1...' prompt, so if this disc is set to any other than region 1, my pc should prompt, not freeze WMP right?.

I am living in Spain now, so its hard to get a region 1 player i am sure (it's hard to get or find ANYTHING in Spain ). It could be a faulty disc, i have not ruled that out. But thanks, i have been checking the web for only one day. I will keep at it!

Regards,
MD

[Shrub]

Im sorry then mate but that exhausted the extent of my knowledge,

If i come across anything whilst on the interweb i will let you know

[skedone]

download a programe called dvdregion free its free ware and will allow u to play this file or in powerdvd settings change it to region 2

or clone the disk with dvdshrink and this will remove macrvision and region codes as well and takes about 40 mins

[jamesphilhulk2]

can anyone tell me where to get free lockpicking software

[strangedream]

Thats a good video for beginners. Once you watch that I would recommend buying the DVD "Lock Picking for the New Millenium". It is more in depth and it covers more locks.

happy picking!

[gstrendkill]

I watched this dvd. It was very slow paced and repetitive, but a good video to start with.