New or old locks to practice on

[tatt006.0]

Hey guys i wondering what your take on the subject is, i have a bunch of practice locks some new some old and it seems i can "feel" the new locks better. I can open both but it seems like i just get lucky with the older ones. I figure in the real world most locks will feel like the used ones but im trying to figure out what type of lock would help me most when im first starting out. As alway thanks for any help in advance.

[Aldenrenfrid]

I cant speak for the more accomplished pickers, Back when I worked as a locksmith I always felt like I got lucky when I picked open a lock for a client. Or nearly so. I am only just now starting to be able to consistently feel all the locks I work on, and it still takes me 3 to 4 times picking a lock to really 'know' it so I can consistently pick it easily. I think all my time with improvised picks has helped me, forcing me to learn more about what to feel for, and to recognize a feeling for what it is.

For me its hard to say if newer locks have more feedback than older. They certainly have a nice crispness to them, but that can be misleading, (especially with security pins). I'd say new and old locks have an equal amount of feedback to them, just the more worn they are the more, subtle? it can be.
Maybe a few of you more experienced hands can help me with what I'm trying to say here?

[raimundo]

I found a master 4 pin commercial padlock on the ground, it was old and stained, it did not pick willingly at first, but after I picked it, snap picked it and other things it started opening easily, until I got it to the point where I could rake it open with one pull using only the straight probe on the snap pick,

this was just a matter of moving things internally until they responded to the movement rather than the friction of dirt.

now its getting a bit more difficult because it needs lube, I can feel the friction when turning.

[tatt006.0]

Ya it seems like i get better feed back on newer locks but can open older locks easier. Ill just keep practicing with every type i can get my hands on.